After 25 years in the tech industry, working for companies like Apple and NCR, I found myself laid off in a mass reduction. As I hit my 40s, I started feeling the sting of ageism, with my experience suddenly being deemed 'too expensive' by corporate spreadsheets. It was a tough realization that my years of hard work were reduced to a line item in a budget. In a moment of panic, I invested $9,000 into an executive transition program, hoping to get the support I needed. While the community aspect was great, the advice on branding and LinkedIn left much to be desired. I found myself trying to downplay my extensive history to fit into a corporate mold, hoping a recruiter would notice me. That was my wake-up call. I decided to completely revamp my online presence, showcasing my decades of experience as a problem-solver rather than just another employee seeking a job. This shift in perspective transformed my approach; what corporations saw as a liability became an asset that private clients began to pay for directly. While I don't think everyone should jump into entrepreneurship, I do believe it's crucial to build your own brand alongside your job search. If you've recently been laid off, don't waste your energy seeking validation from a flawed corporate system. Instead, take control of your online presence, embrace your seniority, and ensure your public profile reflects the respect you've earned over the years.