Back in January 2010, somebody from the e-Commerce department of The Emirates Group contacted me on my LinkedIn for an e-Commerce designer role at the company. Everything on the screening stage went so well. I got ‘hired.’ In fact, to my excitement, I severely injured my toe as I jumped with joy upon learning the good news. I did all of the required protocols, document authentications, police clearance, etc. I signed the contract.
Come a week before I’m supposed to start my work, I got a call saying that I won’t be able to join Emirates anymore. The reason: Emirates was ‘apparently‘ cutting employment that time. I haven’t started, yet, I was already redundant. They said it was a senior-executive-level decision. Hurts much. I paid for those document processes by myself. And how about my toe injury?
Second chance
Three months later, I received an invitation via LinkedIn again. This time from the manager of the UI Design Team of Emirates IT, inviting me to meet for a possible job as Senior UI Designer.
The meeting went really well. But they never got back to me for awhile.
Another great offer came from a startup web design company. Thinking that Emirates won’t get back anymore, I grabbed the opportunity and signed a deal. Two months later, I got a call saying Emirates IT wants to hire me and I just had undergo the formal hiring process. With all due respect and honor to my newly signed contract commitment, I declined with a really heavy heart. It was puzzling why I declined.
Third time’s a charm
Fast forward 11 months later, I received a message in LinkedIn from the same IT manager taking chance if I’d like another shot at an opportunity with his team in Emirates. I met with him, he introduced me to the department manager, and everything went well. I got the offer – close to my expectation. Haunted by my past experiences, I was a bit reluctant that time. I was already having a great experience with the small startup company. I love what I was doing. What if, in the latter part, it will go off again? This was what’s boggling me. But in the end, I still accepted the offer and resigned from my job.
Exactly today marks my 2nd year in Emirates. I’m working as a Senior UI / UX Designer consultant for web and mobile apps. What a way to get in… It’s a bit challenging in the beginning, but I have welcomed the challenges – it continue to help bring out the best in me.
Many employers are using LinkedIn as a valuable tool to find resource. So make the most of your LinkedIn account. Enhance your visibility, here are just few things I did with my account and could help you get started:
- Make your profile marketable. Add the best possible keywords matching your expertise or the job you want
- Showcase your works. Add links to your portfolios
- Make sure your CV is updated
- Get recommended, and recommend others as well
- Get endorsed.
- Join discussions and actively participate in professional groups
LinkedIn may be the lesser exciting social network out there but it can be your best tool towards your desired job, a career perhaps.
