Searching for Work? 8 Expert Job Search Tips to Career-Proof Your Life at Any Age
LinkedIn and Indeed experts share smart job search tips to boost your confidence, build your network and open new doors
You’ve worked hard for decades—and you deserve to feel secure in your career, no matter what changes come your way. The good news? You don’t need to be actively job hunting to take simple steps that’ll give you confidence and peace of mind. Whether you’re happily employed or sensing it might be time for something new, here’s an easy plan to help you feel prepared and empowered for whatever comes next.
Get ready for a job search
It’s never too early to be prepared for your next career move, says LinkedIn career expert Catherine Fisher. Whether you’re actively job hunting or simply want the peace of mind that comes with being ready for change, here’s a simple plan to help you get started:
Create a wins list
Jot down accomplishments you’ve racked up since your last employment search, such as completed projects, new skills and positive feedback from customers or managers, advises Priya Rathod, workplace trends editor for Indeed. It’ll be easier to capture these details now, while they’re still fresh in your mind.
Plug in your successes
Once you’ve counted your wins, add them to your resume and online job-board profile, advises Rathod. Updating your work history makes it easier to apply quickly and helps you avoid scrambling when opportunities pop up.
Refresh your LinkedIn profile
Keeping your information current is key, says Fisher, who suggests adding relevant skills to your “about” section and showing how you’ve used them in your job descriptions. Also vital: Add a headshot. “This gets you up to two times more profile views and three times as many messages,” she shares. “Just make it clear, well-lit and without a distracting background.”
Grow your connections
Expanding your network now is one of the most effective ways to prepare for your next job search, says Rathod. Not only do people often share job openings they hear about, but “building relationships before you need help makes a job search feel much more manageable,” she explains. To widen your circle:
Start with familiar faces
“Reach out to former colleagues and classmates,” urges Fisher. If it’s been a while since you last spoke, acknowledge the gap, share a quick update and even ask a question about their expertise. “People love to share what they know.”
Make new friends in person
“Consider workshops, alumni events and faith or community gatherings,” suggests Rathod. They’re all low-pressure ways to meet potential contacts.
Look at friends of friends online
Take time to poke around to see your connections’ connections on LinkedIn, advises Fisher. “If someone in their network is in a role or company that interests you, ask if they would be willing to introduce you.”
Build skills that translate
Adding to your skill set is one of the best ways to protect yourself, says Fisher. That’s because your know-how moves with you from one workplace to the next. “And you don’t have to spend much to refine it,” she assures. Just…
Pinpoint listings you like
“Compare your current skills with those in the job descriptions,” Rathod recommends. Notice whether a key tool, software program or commonly requested skill appears again and again.
Add AI literacy
Many employers now use artificial intelligence (AI) to support everyday work—like summarizing meetings or searching files—so having a little familiarity can help you stay competitive, says Rathod. Find free tutorials at Grow.Google/ai.
The bottom line? Taking even small steps now—whether it’s updating your resume, reaching out to an old colleague or learning one new skill—puts you in the driver’s seat of your career. And that peace of mind? Priceless.
This story first appeared in the February 16, 2026, print issue of Woman’s World magazine.
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