Rethinking Mid-Career Reinvention – Post-40 or After Redundancy
For experienced professionals facing redundancy or rethinking their careers, the challenge isn’t just finding a new role – it’s being seen.
That’s the insight shared by career coach and author Jane Jackson during a recent conversation on how mid-career leaders can reposition themselves effectively. Whether you're 45 or 60, navigating change is no longer about climbing the next rung. It’s about redefining the ladder entirely.
Jane's message? Reinvention starts with clarity – and visibility.
“Before you rush to update your CV or fire off applications, take a step back. What do you really want next? What values drive you now?”
Leadership Isn’t in the Title – It’s in the Story
One of the biggest blockers to career transition isn’t a lack of skills. It’s a lack of narrative.
Too many professionals fall into the trap of listing job duties and buzzwords – “strategic”, “collaborative”, “experienced” – without ever showing what they’ve actually done. This leaves both CVs and LinkedIn profiles bland and forgettable.
“Bland is the enemy,” Jane explains. “If you’re over 50 and looking for a new role, you must show what makes you different.”
Instead of listing responsibilities, Jane encourages leaders to use a simple structure:
- Situation – What challenge did you face?
- Obstacles – What stood in your way?
- Actions – What did you do to address it?
- Results – What outcome did you deliver?
These micro-stories show leadership in action. They humanise you. And they build trust.
LinkedIn as a Leadership Asset
LinkedIn is no longer just a static résumé. It’s a storytelling platform – and one of the few tools professionals over 40 can use to build visibility in a landscape dominated by automation and AI.
Here’s how to make it work for you:
- About section – Use it to explain your direction and values, not just your job history
- Experience section – Add media (videos, documents, photos) to support achievements
- Project section – Highlight cross-functional or standout work
- Featured section – Record a 1–2 minute video to demonstrate presence and clarity
- Engage with company pages – Meaningful comments build real visibility
Most recruiters don’t get many comments on their page posts. If you’re showing up consistently and contributing value, you will be noticed.
Reinvention Is the New Leadership
In a world of AI-screened resumes and economic uncertainty, mid-career professionals have a choice: remain unseen, or lead out loud.
That doesn’t require shouting. It means showing up clearly, consistently, and confidently – with a story that connects the dots.
And that story starts with you.