Your Next Chapter: A Strategic Playbook for LinkedIn Success
A Webinar for the Esteemed Professionals of the World Health Organization
Presented by:
Rolf Reinhardt
Clarisse Ni Mhuineachean
Date: 9 October
Acknowledgment & Reframing the Journey
Before we dive in, we want to acknowledge the incredible work you've all done. Your contributions at the WHO have had a global impact, and that expertise is permanent and invaluable.
Today is about channeling that value into your next chapter. This transition isn't a hunt; it's a strategic project. We will reframe your identity from an institutional one to a personal, expertise-based brand. You are not just a former WHO employee; you are a Global Health Expert, a Program Director, an Epidemiologist. That is the brand we will build today.
Our Strategic Project Plan
- Architecting Your Foundation: Building a world-class LinkedIn profile.
- Decoding the Market: How recruiters really find talent in 2025.
- Strategic Networking & Applications: Building your professional lifeline.
- Charting Your New Course: Exploring career pivot strategies.
- The Power User's Toolkit: Leveraging Premium & AI tools.
- Tending to Your Well-being: Maintaining resilience for the journey.
Activity: A Quick Check-In
Over to you...
Take a moment to consider: On a scale of 1-5, how confident do you feel about using LinkedIn for your job search right now?
It's completely normal to be anywhere on that spectrum. Our goal today is to equip every one of you with a clear plan to move forward with confidence.
The Foundation: Your Profile is Not a CV
Your Profile is a Searchable, Personal Branding Platform
- Over 95% of recruiters use LinkedIn as their primary sourcing tool. [Reference]
- Recruiters use it like a search engine. If your profile isn't optimized with the right keywords, you are invisible. [Reference]
- It's your digital first impression, not a static document.
The Recruiter's 3-Second Decision
Critical Elements
- Professional Photo: Gets up to 14x more views. No photo is a red flag. [Reference]
- Custom Banner: Brand your expertise (e.g., "Epidemiology | Health Policy").
- Custom URL: `linkedin.com/in/your-name-mph` looks polished. [Reference]
- Headline: Your 220-character pitch. It follows you everywhere.
Headline Transformation
BEFORE:
Technical Officer at World Health Organization
AFTER:
Global Health Program Director | Epidemiology & Health Systems Strengthening | Driving Equitable Health Outcomes [Reference]
"Crucially, avoid negative or passive terms like 'Unemployed' or 'Actively Seeking Opportunities.' Focus on the value you offer, not your employment status." [Reference]
Your Narrative: The "About" Section
Crafting Your Professional Story
- Write in the first person for a conversational tone. [Reference]
- The first 3 lines are critical! They must be a powerful hook. [Reference]
A Proven 4-Part Structure [Reference]
- The Hook: Your professional "why." What drives your passion?
- Your Expertise: Weave in keywords recruiters are searching for.
- Quantifiable Proof: 2-3 key achievements with metrics.
- Call to Action (CTA): "I am seeking opportunities... and welcome connections."
Quantifying Impact: The Experience Section
Translate Achievements, Don't List Duties
- Use the Challenge-Action-Result (CAR) framework for each bullet point. [Reference]
- Your task is to translate public health success into business value (ROI, efficiency, growth).
The Translation Matrix
CV Bullet: "Managed the implementation of a vaccination program in three countries."
LinkedIn (CAR) Bullet: "Led a cross-functional team of 15 and managed a $5M budget (Action) to address low vaccination coverage (Challenge), increasing rates to 75% and improving resource efficiency by 30% (Result)." [Reference]
Skills & Social Proof
Validating Your Expertise
- Skills Section: Use all 50 slots! This is how the algorithm categorizes you. Focus on hard and transferable skills. [Reference]
- Skill Assessments: Take LinkedIn's free assessments to earn a verification badge. This helps you stand out. [Reference]
- Endorsements: Ask former colleagues to endorse your top 5-10 skills for social proof.
- Recommendations: Aim for 2-3 detailed recommendations from former managers. These are heavily weighted by recruiters. [Reference]
Live Demo #1: Profile Optimization
Screen Share: Live Profile Walkthrough
Rolf will now share his screen to demonstrate quick wins on a sample profile, focusing on the headline, banner, and "About" section hook.
Meet the Recruiter
Clarisse Ni Mhuineachean
Talent Acquisition Partner, LinkedIn
"I want to pull back the curtain and show you exactly how we find talent, so you can position yourselves to be found."
Inside the Recruiter's Toolkit
How We Really Search for Candidates
- We use LinkedIn Recruiter with over 40 advanced filters. [Reference]
- The foundation is Boolean Search. Example:
("Health Policy" OR "Public Health") AND "Data Analysis" NOT "Academic"[Reference] - Spotlight Filters are our secret weapon. We prioritize candidates who are:
- "Open to Work"
- "Engaged with our company's content"
The Rise of the AI Recruiter
Optimizing for Human and Machine
- AI is no longer the future; it's here. AI algorithms analyze profiles at a massive scale. [Reference]
- They go beyond keywords to identify skill adjacencies (e.g., knowing "biostatistics" is relevant for "data science"). [Reference]
- AI helps us draft personalized outreach messages, making our process faster and more targeted. [Reference]
- Your profile must be optimized for two audiences: the human who reads your story and the machine that parses your data.
Activity: Knowledge Check
Over to you...
Which of these is MOST important for showing up in a recruiter's search?
A) A professional photo
B) A detailed list of job duties
C) Keywords aligned with your target role
D) 500+ connections
Networking with Purpose
Build Relationships, Not Just a Rolodex
Effective networking is not about collecting connections; it's about cultivating meaningful professional relationships. [Reference]
Now that you know how recruiters think, let's talk about reaching out. This is about building your professional lifeline.
The Art of the Approach
The 300-Character Handshake
The default connection message is a missed opportunity. Always add a personalized note. [Reference]
A Simple, Effective Formula:
- Context: "Hi [Name], I saw your insightful comment on..."
- Value/Interest: "...I was very impressed by your work at [Company]..."
- Call to Connect: "I'd be keen to connect and follow your insights."
Engaging with Content
Be a Participant, Not a Spectator
- The Power of Thoughtful Commenting: Go beyond "Great post!" Add value, ask a question, or offer a complementary perspective. This puts you on the radar of the author and their entire network. [Reference]
- Join Relevant Groups: Participate in discussions in groups like "Global Health Professionals" or "Health Tech Innovators" to establish credibility. [Reference]
- Attend Virtual Events: Connect with speakers and attendees afterward, referencing the event.
From Application to Interview
"Once you've optimized your profile and built your network, it's time to apply. As a recruiter, I see hundreds of applications. I'm going to share what makes me stop and pay attention, and what makes me move on."
Getting Past the First Screen
What We Love to See:
- Alignment: Your profile, resume, and the job description tell the same story.
- Quantified Results: You've used the CAR framework everywhere.
- Clarity & Professionalism: Easy to read and free of typos.
Common Red Flags [References]:
- Generic Summary: Not tailored to the role.
- Discrepancies: LinkedIn vs. resume.
- Focus on Duties, Not Impact: A list of what you did, not what you achieved.
Nailing the Interview
Translating Your Experience
- Speak Their Language: Practice translating your public health experience into business terms (e.g., "program implementation" becomes "project management, budget oversight, and stakeholder alignment").
- Use the CAR Framework Verbally: When asked "Tell me about a time when...," structure your answer with Challenge, Action, and Result.
- Ask Insightful Questions: Prepare questions that show you've researched the company. "I saw your recent initiative in [X area]; how does this role contribute to that goal?"
Activity: Charting Your Course
Over to you...
Which of these paths are you most interested in exploring?
A) A full-time role in a new organization
B) Consulting / Freelance work
C) A mix of both
Career Pivot Pathways
Monetizing Your WHO Expertise
- The Consultant: Your experience is an elite credential. Firms like Guidehouse and platforms like Kolabtree actively seek public health experts. Rates can range from $40 to $150+. [Reference]
- The Gig Worker: Project-based freedom in medical writing, contract data analysis, or grant writing on platforms like Upwork. [Reference]
- The Private Sector Pivot: High demand in Health Tech, Pharma, and Biotech for roles like Medical Science Liaison, Health Economics Analyst, or Clinical Product Manager. [Reference]
The Power User's Toolkit: LinkedIn Premium
Accelerating Your Search with Data
- InMail: Directly message hiring managers. Applicants who InMail the job poster are 3x more likely to get hired. [Reference]
- Who's Viewed Your Profile: A lead generation tool. If a recruiter from a target company views your profile, it's a warm lead. [Reference]
- Applicant Insights: See how you compare to other applicants. Use this data to tailor your profile by adding missing skills. [Reference]
Demo #2: Using Applicant Insights
Screenshot/Demo: "How You Compare"
Applicant Insights feature, demonstrating how to identify and add top skills to become a "Top Applicant." [Reference]
Your AI Co-Pilot
The AI-Human Synergy Loop
- AI Profile Assistant: Helps you draft a powerful headline and "About" section. [Reference]
- AI Message Drafts: Suggests personalized connection requests and InMail messages. [Reference]
- AI-Powered Coaching (in Learning): Get real-time advice and course recommendations. Ask it, "How can I frame my public sector experience for a corporate role?". [Reference]
Tending to Your Well-being
This is a Marathon, Not a Sprint
"Finally, and most importantly, let's talk about you. A job search after a layoff is emotionally taxing. Managing your mental health is not a secondary concern; it is a core component of a successful strategy." [Reference]
Practical Strategies for Resilience
Building Your Mental Fortitude
- Create a Routine: Structure your day with time for job searching, networking, exercise, and rest. This restores a sense of control. [Reference]
- Practice Self-Compassion: This was a systemic event, not a personal failure. Reframe this as a temporary setback. [Reference]
- Stay Active: The link between physical exercise and mental well-being is undeniable. [Reference]
- Focus on What You Can Control: You can control the quality of your profile, the messages you send, and the skills you learn. [Reference]
Activity: Your Well-being Commitment
Over to you... (Open Text)
What is one non-job-search activity you will schedule this week to support your well-being?
Your 30-Day Action Plan
Turning Knowledge into Action
Week 1: Profile Overhaul. Rewrite your Headline and "About" section. Reframe Experience bullets using CAR. Request 3 recommendations.
Week 2: Strategic Networking. Identify 20 key people at 5-10 target organizations. Send 5 personalized connection requests daily.
Week 3: Content & Engagement. Make 3 thoughtful comments on relevant posts each day. Write one original post.
Week 4: Skill Building & Application. Complete one LinkedIn Learning course to fill a skill gap. Apply to 5 roles where you're a "Top Applicant."
Q&A
With Rolf Reinhardt & Clarisse Ni Mhuineachean
Your expertise is needed now more than ever. This is not an endpoint; it is a pivot point. You have the skills, the experience, and now, the strategic playbook.
Thank you for your time and attention. We'll now open the floor for your questions.
Connect with us:
linkedin.com/in/rolfreinhardt
linkedin.com/in/clarisse1