International Finance can help you through this challenging transition by providing actionable steps on how to pivot, grow, and move forward into the next phase of your career with practical and inspiring insights on financial matters, personal growth, and job searching. Here are six key steps to take.

Take A Moment To Process And Reflect

Getting laid off is an emotional experience, and you may need some time to process your feelings before taking action. Think about why you were laid off and how it will impact your next steps. The truth is, it is rarely your fault. This is a time for self-care and to regain your emotional equilibrium. By taking the time to acknowledge your emotions, you can begin anew with clarity and resolve.

Assess Your Financial Situation

When you are laid off, you need to look at your finances to determine how much money you have available to live on during this time and how long you can support yourself. If you have no savings, you may want to get advice from a financial advisor to budget how you can live without a regular income.

Apply For Unemployment Benefits

After being laid off, you should take one of the first practical steps to apply for unemployment benefits, which can be a financial bridge to search for a new job or upskill, and filing for benefits varies by state.

Update Your Resume And LinkedIn Profile

The time has come to update your LinkedIn profile and resume to reflect your most recent work. Highlight your abilities, accomplishments, and contributions from your prior position, and customise your resume to fit the kinds of jobs you’re looking for. A well-maintained LinkedIn profile can make you stand out to recruiters and employers.

Network And Reach Out To Contacts

One of the best methods for discovering new opportunities is to network, reaching out to former colleagues, mentors, and other professional contacts to let them know you are seeking new roles. Referrals fill many jobs, and having a strong network can lead to more hidden opportunities.

Consider Freelancing Or Consulting

Freelancing or consulting can help you maintain productivity while you look for a new full-time job. Think about sharing your knowledge in fields where you excel.

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The new feature will enable professionals to demonstrate their proficiency with various AI tools, rather than merely listing generic skills on their profiles. However, because verification will be based on real usage and not self-reported claims, only a select few partners will be backing up these badges.

Descript, Lovable, Relay.app and Replit have emerged as the first ones in supporting LinkedIn’s initiative, with Gamma and Zapier scheduled to join at a later date, along with Microsoft-owned GitHub.

Partner companies will actually use AI to assess users’ AI proficiency, based on actual product usage and results. The social networking platform says this is a must in today’s labour market, with AI proficiency now the most in-demand skill. LinkedIn also noted that the jobs market is shifting towards this skills-first model, rather than overly focusing on formal degrees.

With the badges, job seekers will be able to stand out, and recruiters will be able to identify genuine capability even more quickly. It’s unclear whether these badges will be factored into filtering tools.

More broadly, LinkedIn says that more than 100 million of its users have now verified their accounts. The Microsoft-owned platform met this target just days before its deadline in December 2025, when the company declared it wants every member, job and company to have at least one type of verification.

According to the company, verified members see close to 60% more profile views, apart from getting up to 50% more engagement on posts compared to their non-verified counterparts. Organisations also see benefits, with verified businesses seeing 10.9 times more views and getting 7.7x more followers.

“When Product VP Oscar Rodriguez first confirmed plans to hit 100 million verified users in October 2023, the company only had around 18 million verified accounts. LinkedIn has also revealed plans to launch a self-serve API to help developers integrate trust signals (like identity and workplace) into apps, sites, and other platforms, which will allow users to display their LinkedIn verification status across other sites,” Techradar Pro reported in December 2025.

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We have tech companies supporting diverse hiring practices through programmes like returnships (internships for experienced professionals reentering the workforce).

Healthcare ventures are also providing reentry training programmes for industry professionals, keeping in mind the experiences they bring in clinical and administrative roles.

Schools and educational organisations often seek individuals with life experience to enrich their programmes, whether as teachers, administrators, or support staff.

Banks and financial institutions also value the analytical and interpersonal skills that many returning professionals bring to roles in risk management, client relations, and beyond. Even entrepreneurship (business and consultancy services) is serving as a potent reentry route for industry veterans.

With the explosion of content-driven marketing and media, there is a strong demand for writers and editors. Professionals with sharp communication skills can find freelance or full-time roles in publishing, corporate communications, or digital media.

Reframe the narrative

Before you plan your industry comeback, think deeply about your past experiences and accomplishments, and acknowledge that they are equally important as those listed on a conventional resume. Once you return to your personal life, it should be more about you adding value and quality to the organisation’s work output.

Think about this: your role as mother or caregiver has gifted you abilities like multitasking, time management, problem-solving, and emotional intelligence. Even though you were not in a professional environment, you have been coordinating schedules, budgeting for a household, or advocating for a loved one’s needs, and in the process, cultivating abilities that transfer seamlessly into professional settings.

The 21st-century employers are increasingly recognising these diverse experiences. They are looking for people who can think critically, work under pressure, and bring fresh perspectives. Your time outside the workforce has not diminished your value, but enhanced it. Using that, reframe your narrative and highlight these skills confidently, while exploring new opportunities. Negotiation, advocacy, budgeting, and time management are all useful and transferable skills that differentiate an excellent professional from a routine worker.

Seizing the opportunity for flexible work

In the post-COVID professional world, we have concepts like remote work and flexible schedules. Businesses have embraced hybrid models, allowing employees to contribute without adhering to a strict 9-to-5 schedule. This shift can be a game-changer for professionals who need flexibility or prefer working from home.

You can explore roles in a variety of fields, from project management to customer service to creative industries. Identify positions that align with your strengths and preferences. Whether you are seeking full-time, part-time, or freelance opportunities, there are bosses out there to cater for your diverse needs and lifestyles.

Overcome barriers in a smart manner

Technology and industry practices evolve quickly, and it’s natural to feel out of touch. Take online courses, attend workshops (physical or virtual) to brush up on skills relevant to your desired field. Platforms like Coursera, Udemy, and LinkedIn Learning are offering affordable and flexible options to help you get up to speed. Don’t forget that many opportunities come from connections.

Reconnect with former colleagues (and mentors), attend industry events, and join online groups or forums in your field. LinkedIn has become a powerful networking tool for this. Use it to build and maintain professional relationships, showcase your skills, and engage with content in your industry. Remember, there are people ready to help you navigate your return to the workforce.

Your reentry can also start with a small role in a large organisation. You can ease back into a corporate culture and environment while learning the lingo, developing computer skills, and expanding your network. Such positions can build your confidence and help you decide if the traditional corporate world is what you want. Over time, these stepping-stone roles will lead to more significant opportunities within the organisation.

Stay-at-home roles: Great skill enhancer

A stay-at-home parent basically operates as the CEO of the household enterprise, managing multiple departments with adaptability. Like a chief financial officer, the person oversees the family budget, tracking expenses and making strategic decisions about resource allocation. Their human resources’ role involves mediating conflicts between siblings and other family members, providing performance feedback on chores and homework, and maintaining high household morale.

As the operations manager, such individuals coordinate the complex logistics of school schedules, extracurricular activities, and medical appointments while ensuring smooth daily functions. They serve as facilities manager, overseeing household maintenance and cleanliness standards, while simultaneously acting as head of food services, planning and executing meals that meet diverse dietary needs and preferences.

Their marketing and communications position requires them to maintain relationships with teachers, other parents, and community members, while their risk management role involves childproofing, emergency preparedness, and ensuring family safety protocols are followed. All these skills come in handy when they reenter the industry.

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Personal branding is crucial across all industries, helping to increase sales, build trust, and strengthen the reputation of an entrepreneur and his or her company. Social media plays a significant role in personal branding efforts, so most executives, CEOs, and founders post on two to five social media networks regularly.

Why Personal Brand Matters For Entrepreneurs

Despite your desire to create a business with a well-known brand, you must also focus on your branding. For your part, who are you?

Social media allows almost anyone to gain followers in this day and age. Even if you don’t want to distinguish between your personal and business brands, people often want to know who you are. Who is the person behind your company? Understanding who you are can help your business seem more “real,” especially if you plan to sell it at some point.

Having a personal brand can increase the visibility of your business and draw more attention to it. Your business will naturally draw more attention when you are regarded as a thought leader or authority in your field.

Today’s entrepreneurs and business leaders are making it a point to develop their own personal brands and share their ideas and experiences across a wide range of platforms for a reason.

The power of developing your own personal brand and using it to increase public relations to expand your company should not be undervalued. Here are some tips for building your personal brand.

Start With What You Offer

Make sure you understand your unique value proposition before proceeding. Your personal brand should represent the value you provide, regardless of your profession: tech founder, creative consultant, or fitness coach.

What do you bring to the table? What problems do you solve? The experience and knowledge you bring as an individual are just as important as your business offerings. Describe the message you want people to connect with: your name, your strengths, and your niche.

Know Your Persona

Your professional identity is your personal brand. Knowing and defining your persona (whether it be on LinkedIn, at networking events, or during interviews) will help you consistently show yourself as the fearless innovator, the reliable counsellor, or the imaginative thinker.

This identity should be reflected in your voice, your imagery, and even the stories you tell. Real, relatable personalities (rather than polished façades) are what people connect with, so authenticity is crucial.

Use Keywords

Similar to SEO, keywords influence how simple it is for people to navigate and comprehend you. Consider the terms that you wish to be connected to.

You should use terms like “sustainability expert,” “growth strategist,” or “digital marketing guru” in your content, social media profiles, website copy, and bios. In addition to making your content easier to find, using keywords strategically helps your audience remember your area of expertise.

Personal branding is a powerful business tool that is more than just a trendy term. Your brand and your business are inextricably linked as an entrepreneur.

You’ll gain more respect and recognition the more deliberately you cultivate and preserve it. Be clear at the outset, maintain consistency, and ensure that your brand embodies your values.

The post Why entrepreneurs need personal branding appeared first on International Finance.

Like any other metric, it’s natural that organic traffic to a business-to-business website may also decline. In that situation, it’s dangerous to rely solely on SEO because of changing user behaviour, growing competition, and constantly changing algorithms. However, if you change course sensibly, traffic loss does not equate to lead loss. Here are seven effective B2B lead generation techniques to help B2B players get back on track.

Start An Email Outreach Campaign

One of the best marketing channels for return on investment is still email. Create a targeted prospect list and tailor your outreach communications. Employ automation and segmentation tools to increase the scope of your work. A well-run email campaign can produce qualified leads even when your website traffic is low, whether you’re inviting them to a webinar or providing a free resource.

Put Your LinkedIn Profile To Use

The best resource for generating B2B leads is LinkedIn. Optimise both your personal and business profiles first. Engage with your network, share case studies, and publish frequently about industry insights. To locate decision-makers and strike up important discussions, use LinkedIn’s advanced search. Here, connections can be turned into high-value leads through thought leadership.

Participate In Relevant Reddit Discussions

Reddit isn’t just for memes; professionals looking for guidance and exchanging ideas are abundant in industry-specific subreddits. Locate the communities that your target audience frequents. By responding to enquiries, offering original viewpoints, and discreetly introducing your services, you can add value. Sincere interaction increases trust and may result in direct questions.

Get Recommended By LLMs

It is becoming more and more important to optimise for Large Language Models (LLMs) as AI tools like ChatGPT take on the role of digital gatekeepers. Creating readable, reliable content that LLMs can reference is necessary to achieve this. Strive for factual accuracy, make use of structured data, and establish domain authority by publishing consistently high-quality content. Being a resource that people turn to increases your visibility and gets you mentioned in AI-generated responses.

Cultivate A Better Blog And Optimise For SEO

Your blog will not rank or convert if it is generic or out of date. Posting excellent, purpose-driven content will revitalise your content strategy. Concentrate on solving actual issues that your audience is facing, and organically include pertinent keywords. To support search visibility, make investments in mobile optimisation, appropriate internal linking, and quicker load times.

Do Podcasts

Podcasts give you a chance to reach specialised audiences and demonstrate your expertise. Start your own show or make an appearance as a guest on well-known ones. Talk about industry pain points, client success stories, or trends. It’s an excellent method to make your brand more relatable and draw in new customers.

Offer A Lead Magnet

Contact information is traded for value. Provide downloadable whitepapers, calculators, templates, or guides in return for email addresses. A strong lead magnet that is suited to the requirements of your audience can accelerate list-building and foster pipeline expansion.

The post Losing organic traffic? These B2B lead-gen strategies are here to help you out appeared first on International Finance.

The Nadella renaissance

Nadella, a Microsoft veteran with 22 years at the company, was chosen as CEO because of his intimate understanding of the company and his vision for change. One of his earliest moves was a cultural overhaul, breaking away from the cutthroat, competitive “know-it-all” culture that characterised the company during the Steve Ballmer and Bill Gates eras. Instead, Nadella introduced a culture focused on learning, collaboration, and empathy, which emphasised the value of shared knowledge and growth.

Nadella made it clear that his goal was not simply to continue the old ways of working but to fundamentally transform how the company approached its business and culture. This meant redefining success, not by market dominance, but by the depth and breadth of partnerships, creativity, and a willingness to adapt. He famously shifted Azure, the company’s cloud platform, to embrace open-source software—a significant departure from Microsoft’s historically proprietary approach.

He also brought a fresh empathetic approach, emphasising transparency and openness.

“Come with your brain. Be sharp, and let’s talk about it,” he encouraged employees, transforming Microsoft’s internal atmosphere into one that promoted ideation without fear of mistakes.

Under his leadership, the company began celebrating a “growth mindset,” where learning from failure was prioritised over simply proving oneself. This transformation laid the foundation for Microsoft’s reemergence as an industry leader.

Nadella’s cultural transformation at Microsoft focused not only on leadership style but also on diversity and inclusivity, which laid the groundwork for innovation. He introduced various initiatives that aimed to break down silos and promote a more open and collaborative work environment.

For instance, he focused on increasing diversity in the workforce, seeing diverse perspectives as key to fostering a more creative and innovative company. Nadella’s efforts towards inclusivity also meant that employees felt more empowered to contribute, which fostered a sense of collective ownership and pride in Microsoft’s products and services.

Nadella also implemented a major internal shift in how success was measured at Microsoft. Rather than traditional metrics like market share or profitability, the company began focusing on customer satisfaction and user engagement. This new focus influenced every department, from engineering to sales. By aligning success metrics with customer happiness, Nadella ensured that the company stayed true to the goal of creating value for its users, not just profits.

Crucial strategic acquisitions

Nadella understood the value of adding new assets to Microsoft’s ecosystem—but not by assimilating them into its traditional architecture. He acquired Minecraft in 2014, noting that the game provided a unique opportunity to build relationships with younger generations who may not have had a strong connection to Microsoft. Instead of bringing Minecraft into the Windows family, he decided to keep it largely independent, allowing it to continue to thrive and innovate.

Minecraft was more than just a game; it was a community and a platform for creativity that connected with younger audiences, educators, and developers. Nadella saw the potential of a generation growing up with Minecraft, not just as a game but as a tool that taught kids the basics of coding, architecture, and teamwork.

By promoting the Minecraft community without altering its DNA, Nadella ensured that the franchise would remain popular while also showcasing Microsoft’s ability to nurture different types of digital experiences.

This approach was also evident when Microsoft purchased LinkedIn in 2016 for $26 billion. LinkedIn provided a unique professional network that complemented Microsoft’s product offerings, particularly those aimed at enterprise customers.

Nadella’s emphasis on “reverse acquisitions” encouraged these acquired brands to utilise Microsoft’s vast resources without becoming stifled by its bureaucracy. In LinkedIn’s case, this meant leveraging Microsoft’s cloud services while retaining LinkedIn’s independent operations. It was a different approach to integration—one that prioritised innovation over control.

LinkedIn’s acquisition was more than just a strategic move to expand Microsoft’s enterprise offerings; it provided deeper insights into how professionals were using technology. Microsoft integrated LinkedIn data with its Dynamics 365 CRM, making it possible for businesses to better understand their customers.

This synergy between LinkedIn and Microsoft’s cloud services became a powerful tool, reinforcing Microsoft’s status as a critical player in enterprise productivity and customer relationship management.

In 2018, the acquisition of GitHub for $7.5 billion brought the open-source community into Microsoft’s sphere of influence. This acquisition was particularly symbolic given Microsoft’s historically antagonistic stance towards open source. By allowing GitHub to function independently, Nadella fostered positive relationships with the global developer community—a group Microsoft had previously alienated. It wasn’t just about the technology; it was about winning back the hearts and minds of the developers who drive the tech ecosystem.

These acquisitions were crucial in transforming Microsoft’s image from a lumbering tech giant to a company willing to embrace and nurture community-driven platforms. They were not just business deals; they were commitments to engage with diverse audiences in new and respectful ways.

Nadella’s strategy was to provide support without imposing Microsoft’s bureaucracy, thereby ensuring that acquired companies retained their unique culture and strengths, which allowed them to thrive within Microsoft’s ecosystem.

The game-changing OpenAI partnership

The 2019 partnership with OpenAI, led by Sam Altman, involved a bold $1 billion investment from Microsoft in artificial intelligence. While many in the industry doubted AI’s immediate potential, Nadella saw an opportunity for growth that extended beyond the immediate bottom line. He envisioned AI as a fundamental force that would redefine productivity and creativity.

OpenAI’s work on GPT-3 and GPT-4 quickly bore fruit, with early demos proving that the technology could change the software landscape.

Kevin Scott, Microsoft’s CTO, recognised that AI’s coding abilities could expedite and automate programming tasks—a vision that eventually materialised as GitHub Copilot. The Copilot tool allowed developers to leverage AI for code suggestions, dramatically improving coding speed and accuracy, which hinted at how AI could augment human creativity rather than replace it.

The OpenAI partnership was more than just a financial investment; it represented a philosophical alignment. Both organisations shared a belief that AI, if developed responsibly, could transform human productivity and create new growth opportunities.

Microsoft’s $1 billion investment was followed by additional funding, and the relationship evolved into a strategic partnership where Microsoft provided the infrastructure for OpenAI’s ambitious models. This gave Microsoft early access to groundbreaking AI technologies and positioned Azure as the go-to cloud platform for AI research and applications.

Microsoft’s partnership with OpenAI gave it a significant edge, leading to an exclusive agreement allowing Microsoft to incorporate OpenAI’s language models into its suite of products.

This exclusive partnership also helped Microsoft integrate AI into Azure, making it a preferred platform for developers using AI models. This move signalled Microsoft’s shift from being a builder of AI tools to a platform enabler for global AI innovation. Nadella aimed to position Microsoft at the centre of the next big platform—the AI Copilot.

AI integration across products

Scott declared 2023 “The Era of the AI Copilot.” Microsoft launched AI-driven features across its offerings, from Microsoft 365 tools to its Windows operating system. The flagship was the integration of GPT-4 into Bing, making Microsoft’s search engine a viable contender against Google for the first time in over a decade. Nadella saw this as a moment of reckoning: after years of being a runner-up in search, Microsoft could finally force Google to respond.

Despite some initial embarrassments—like Bing’s chatbot confessing love for a reporter during its early rollout—Microsoft pushed forward, refining the technology. The Bing Copilot wasn’t just about search—it was a demonstration of the integration of AI into everyday tasks.

It could summarise information, provide direct answers, and even assist in creative writing. This “Copilot” branding represented the next wave of software development: tools that worked alongside users, improving efficiency and productivity.

The broader goal was to introduce Copilot across all major Microsoft products. Office tools like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint were enhanced with AI capabilities that could draft emails, summarise data, and create slide decks with minimal input from the user. This was a significant redefinition of productivity software, where the user wasn’t just interacting with static tools but collaborating with an intelligent system.

Copilot in Microsoft Teams revolutionised how virtual collaboration took place. Users could rely on AI to transcribe meetings, summarise discussions, and even suggest action items. This changed the dynamics of remote work, making virtual interactions more efficient and actionable. By making AI an integral part of communication, Microsoft helped its customers save time and focus on strategic decision-making rather than administrative tasks.

By the end of 2023, Copilot had also made its way into Microsoft Teams, Azure, and the Windows operating system itself, bringing a new level of personal assistance to digital work environments.

Nadella’s vision of AI was not as a replacement but as an augmentation—a Copilot to help users navigate through the complexity of their digital tasks and make sense of vast amounts of information.

The integration of Copilot into Azure also enabled developers to create smarter applications more easily. Azure AI services became more user-friendly, offering pre-built models and customisation options that allowed businesses of all sizes to incorporate AI capabilities without needing extensive expertise.

This democratisation of AI meant that even small startups could harness the power of machine learning, thus expanding Azure’s user base and solidifying Microsoft’s position as a leader in cloud computing and AI services.

Antitrust and competitive tactics: Old habits die hard

The “Copilot” success wasn’t without controversy. Microsoft’s expansion plans, including its integration of Teams into Office 365, faced scrutiny from regulatory bodies, particularly in the EU. Slack’s founders argued that Microsoft’s bundling strategy stifled competition by making Teams a default product for millions of Office users. The European Commission launched an investigation, eventually forcing Microsoft to unbundle Teams from its Office products.

Additionally, Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard for $69 billion brought scrutiny from the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Critics argued that Microsoft’s moves risked monopolising sectors of the gaming industry, similar to its earlier battles over Internet Explorer’s dominance. Nadella maintains that these moves are part of Microsoft’s strategy to extend into mobile gaming and grow Xbox’s reach, rather than squelch competition.

The broader debate over Microsoft’s practices touched on the issue of market influence and whether the company’s massive acquisitions were about strengthening innovation or eliminating competition.

This scrutiny highlighted the tightrope that Nadella had to walk—balancing aggressive growth with the perception of fair competition. It was a reminder that even as Microsoft embraced new ideals, its size and influence would always invite careful examination from regulators.

Nadella’s defence of Microsoft’s strategies also included emphasising how acquisitions like Activision would benefit consumers by accelerating innovation. He argued that bringing Activision’s capabilities into Microsoft’s ecosystem would create new opportunities for cross-platform experiences, thereby benefiting gamers.

Nadella made a point of outlining how increased investment in game studios could lead to more diverse and inclusive gaming experiences, which in turn could open up new markets for Microsoft.

Turning adversaries into allies

One of Nadella’s most effective shifts was embracing open-source technologies, a stark contrast from Microsoft’s earlier era, which saw Linux as a threat. Nadella and Scott Guthrie, who led the Azure cloud services division, understood that for Azure to grow, it needed to support Linux, which had become the operating system of choice for startups and developers. Nadella made the decision swiftly, ignoring years of anti-Linux sentiment at Microsoft.

This was emblematic of the change Nadella brought: instead of protecting old revenue streams at the cost of stifling innovation, he shifted Microsoft’s vision towards embracing the wider tech ecosystem. By integrating Linux into Azure and acquiring GitHub, Microsoft built credibility with the very developers it had once alienated.

The impact of this change went beyond public relations. By embracing open source, Microsoft found itself contributing to projects that it once saw as a threat. This change allowed Azure to become the backbone for many of the world’s most innovative startups and enterprises. The company also encouraged collaboration within the developer community, which was vital for the adoption of new technologies, especially AI.

Nadella’s commitment to open source was also about community building. He emphasised that Microsoft could only grow if it helped grow the broader tech community. By launching initiatives like the Open-Source Programmes Office and contributing to significant open-source projects, Microsoft demonstrated that it was serious about being an active member of the open-source ecosystem. This approach not only helped Microsoft improve its technology but also changed perceptions of the company from a monopolistic giant to a supportive partner.

Microsoft as a platform for AI innovation

With Mustafa Suleyman, DeepMind co-founder, joining Microsoft AI in 2024, the company’s commitment to dominating the AI space became even more apparent. As Suleyman puts it, “Microsoft is a platform of platforms,” signalling that the company’s vision is not to monopolise AI but rather to facilitate a marketplace where innovation can thrive.

Yet, despite these lofty goals, the nature of Microsoft’s relationship with OpenAI remains complex, and the question of whether Microsoft will eventually launch its own AI language models remains open.

Suleyman’s arrival marked a new era for Microsoft’s AI ambitions. He brought a wealth of experience and a different perspective on how AI could evolve responsibly. Microsoft made it clear that it wanted to be the primary platform where developers could build, train, and deploy AI models. By making Azure the default home for AI development, Microsoft aimed to be at the forefront of all major AI advancements.

As Nadella drives Microsoft towards the AI future, he appears intent on balancing two imperatives: enabling an open ecosystem for developers while maintaining a competitive edge.

The emphasis on Copilot and integrated AI tools across its product lines suggests that Nadella sees Microsoft’s future less as a builder of standalone software and more as a foundational platform that users leverage to achieve more—guided by AI, of course.

In addition, Microsoft’s focus on partnerships with AI research labs and its continued investments in quantum computing demonstrate its vision of the future. Microsoft wants to ensure that it is a leader not just in current AI technology but also in the next generation of disruptive tech. This commitment to ongoing research and development positions the company as a thought leader in multiple facets of technological innovation.

Microsoft’s pursuit of quantum computing is an example of how it aims to stay ahead of the curve. Quantum technology holds the promise of solving computational problems that are currently impossible for classical computers, and Microsoft’s investments in this area highlight its ambition to not only remain relevant but to be at the cutting edge of future technological revolutions. By combining AI, quantum computing, and cloud infrastructure, Microsoft is aiming to create a technology stack that can solve some of the world’s most pressing challenges.

The balancing act

As Microsoft enters its 50th year, Nadella’s leadership has restored the company’s reputation and fuelled its most profitable years to date. From $1 billion investments in small AI labs to $69 billion gaming acquisitions, Nadella’s strategies have consistently placed Microsoft at the intersection of innovation and opportunity.

However, familiar criticisms remain. Antitrust investigations, security vulnerabilities, and competition complaints echo the old Microsoft—a corporate giant that once wielded its influence with little restraint. Nadella’s success is tempered by the realisation that the very size and influence Microsoft has regained also make it a target for regulatory scrutiny.

The story of Microsoft at 50 is one of reinvention, calculated risks, and a renewed focus on innovation. Nadella turned Microsoft from a fading tech giant into a dynamic leader in AI—but the challenge now lies in maintaining that balance: encouraging innovation, learning from failures, and avoiding the pitfalls of past hubris.

As the company aims to be the platform that shapes the next generation of technology, the question isn’t whether Microsoft is still relevant. It is whether it can stay at the forefront, ethically and responsibly, in the next wave of technological change.

The company’s ambition is clear: to be the essential platform for developers, businesses, and individuals navigating an increasingly AI-driven world. Microsoft’s trajectory will be determined not just by its technological prowess but also by its ability to adapt and learn—qualities Nadella has strived to embed into the company culture. As Microsoft looks ahead, the hope is that it can continue to innovate without repeating the mistakes of its past, maintaining its relevance by being a force for positive technological change.

By embracing change, prioritising empathy, and nurturing a culture of growth, Nadella has led Microsoft back to the forefront of technology. The lessons from this journey are profound: with the right mindset, even a company as large and seemingly set in its ways as Microsoft can transform itself. The future remains challenging, but if Nadella’s past successes are any indicator, Microsoft is well-positioned to lead the way into the next era of technological innovation.

The post Microsoft@50: Transforming tech with growth mindset appeared first on International Finance.

Social networking is the best strategy for managing your online image. Search engines prioritize active and up-to-date social media networks over other online activities.

Social media outlets you use regularly should appear before your website in Google search results. Because your social media profiles are the first thing people see when they search for you online. Your profile should demonstrate your expertise, link you with your target audience, and provide useful information.

You may be on LinkedIn—that’s great—but are you maximising its benefits? Improve your LinkedIn profile with these seven tips.

Highlight Your Photo And Headline

Log in to LinkedIn, go to edit profile, and click “View Profile As.” Get out of edit mode and see your profile as others do. Is your role and client assistance clear at first glance? If not, edit.

Back in edit mode, mouse over your name, title, and location to add what clients should see. This should contain a clear, recent photo of you in professional clothing without sunglasses. Keep vacation photographs and apparel on Facebook. Because it helps clients know you instantly, this profile photo should be constant throughout all career-related platforms like LinkedIn and your website.

Include A Summary

The LinkedIn summary is like your website’s “about page”. People should know who you are, what you do, and how you can help. Your life narrative should be about your years of experience, specialities (subjects and places), and what makes you unique among the 950 million LinkedIn users.

Impress With Rich Media

A picture and rich media say a thousand words. It’s fine to summarise your experience and make a catchy title, but isn’t it better to show clients who you are? You can include rich material with the summary and work experiences. Photos, PDFs, website links, movies, and presentations are rich media.

Share marketing materials for a unique product, images of you winning accolades, links to your website, and media mentions or videos of a company milestone with your network. It helps potential clients learn about your services and get to know you.

Add Work Experience Descriptions

Each job description needs a title, date range, location, and description. Choose the title and location from LinkedIn’s dropdown menu to connect with people seeking that job title in that area. If your area isn’t listed, choose the next best thing and write “working out of (specific city)” in the description.

It’s not helpful for advisors to title themselves “owner and financial advisor” in searches. Always type your title and use LinkedIn’s options. The choice “personal financial advisor” is not “personal financial planner”—it’s just “financial planner.”

Add Education And Certifications

Why not display financial advisor qualifications as clients often ask for them? Certified Financial Planner and life insurance licence designations are under “certifications,” not “education.” LinkedIn’s education section lists degrees from colleges and universities.

Also, choosing from LinkedIn’s options helps promote you to users who share something. If we share something like being a New York financial planner or a Columbia University graduate, LinkedIn will recommend my profile. The right-hand sidebar’s “people you may know” and “others also viewed” sections contain it.

Include Relevant Sections In The Profile

After learning the basics, create your profile. Publications, awards, projects, and courses are examples. Find “add a section to your profile” under your photo at the top of your profile. Add new (unused) LinkedIn sections there.

Adding personal information like volunteer experience and interests gives your clients something to relate to and may set you apart from other advisors.

Add More Contact Info

Find “contact info.” at the top of your profile under connections. Include your address, phone number, email, website, and social media accounts here. It should look like your business card and make it easy for clients to contact you.

The “advice for contacting” part can be added to your profile like the others. This puts your contact info at the bottom of your profile.

The post Tips for financial advisors to maximise LinkedIn benefits appeared first on International Finance.

Strategic lists can assist you in concentrating on the content of your applications and interviews rather than becoming bogged down in pointless details, according to Cheryl Hyatt. The following eight lists will help you monitor your progress and locate your next position.

Employers

According to Jill Gugino Panté, director of the Lerner Career Resources Center at the University of Delaware, a list of 10 to 15 possible employers is an excellent place to start.

She explains that this list is crucial as it narrows down and organises one’s job searches. Once you have this list, you can start looking at the available jobs, your LinkedIn connections (or connections from colleges) who work there, the events they’ll be attending, and, most importantly, how you can share this information with your internal networks.

“When you say you’re looking for a job, say in finance, it’s hard to get others to help you, for example. Yet, when you state that you are seeking a career in finance at XYZ company, individuals can already connect you with those people in their networks. If you don’t know where to begin when creating your dream employer list,” Pante remarked, while interacting with the ‘Fast Company’.

Carisa Miklusak, CEO of Tile, an app that connects employers with job seekers, advises looking at organisations ranked as the “Best Companies to Work For” by regional publications. Then, make a list of the top employers you want to put extra effort into pursuing, she advises, and take the time to explore the kinds of businesses you want to work for.

Positions

According to Hyatt, there are numerous ways to find positions of interest.

“You need to capture the position to a central list so you can return to it later,” she advises.

“Whether you see a position on LinkedIn, hear about it from a friend, or are contacted by a search firm. Study positions on this list to see whether you’re a good fit for them, and learn as much as you can about the employer to use in your cover letter and resume,” Hyatt stated.

Connections

Debora Roland, vice president of human resources for CareerArc, a hiring and outplacement company, advises making a list of all the people you know and interact with personally and professionally.

“Give them an overview of what you do and the position you’re hoping to land,” she advises.

Create a list of the employees at the companies you are interested in on a priority basis, and ask any of your contacts whether they know any of them. By requesting an introduction, you can obtain some traction.

Events For Local Networking

Building relationships with people who can open doors to opportunities or provide guidance and information is one of the best methods to obtain a job, according to Carisa Miklusak.

She also advised choosing two or three networking events from a list of potential ones in your area to attend, as part of your job-hunting efforts. This task also helps to make a brief list of what you intend to accomplish beforehand.

Answers To interviews

Typical interview questions include “explain me about yourself” and “what can you add to our company?”

Make a list of your responses and practise them until you are confident, advises Miklusak.

These are some of the most common icebreakers during interviews, although the CEO of Tile added that they might be challenging to respond to on the spot.

Before participating in a game, athletes practise extensively. Before you swing, practise alone, with friends, and with family, treating yourself like a career athlete.

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According to data, there are many popular jobs that may be done from home, including call centre representatives, marketing specialists, sales executives, business development managers, and financial officers.

Employers and managers are putting more and more pressure on workers to come back to work as a result of the relaxation of regulations in the post-COVID era. However, the majority of workers want a hybrid work model. They frequently leave companies that don’t provide this option and join more flexible ones.

The absence of remote employment opportunities is one of the top ten reasons why professionals in the UAE are considering changing jobs, according to research performed by LinkedIn.

According to LinkedIn, the percentage of remote job posts in the UAE is 4.3% as of February 2023, down significantly from January (22.8%) and from the same month the previous year by nearly 50%.

Around 1,500 Work From Home employment is available on Bayt.com, with over 600 of them in the GCC and more than 300 in the UAE. The numbers are subject to change every day.

Najat Abdelhadi, head of communications and career expert, LinkedIn Mena said, “The share of remote job postings has been declining in the UAE, as managers call their teams back into the office in the face of the prevailing uncertainty to prove higher business revenues.”

She advised companies to carefully evaluate what their workforce wants, which includes flexibility, if they want to keep their finest employees, who will help them stay on top and navigate the rapidly changing business landscape.

Meanwhile, according to LinkedIn, the top five sectors in UAE with the highest share of remote job postings are technology, information and media, followed by professional services, wholesale, consumer services, and interestingly oil, gas and mining.

The post Work From Home job openings in UAE: All you need to know appeared first on International Finance.

The most alarming part, according to Andi Allen, a senior technical recruiter at Meta in the US who was let go during the second round of layoffs, was being fired while on maternity leave.

In her LinkedIn post, Andi Allen wrote, “I was part of today’s #metalayoffs while on maternity leave. I understand changes in market trends and focus on the business’s bottom line. I don’t understand how #metaleadership miscalculated so badly that they had to lay off thousands of employees, and yet still want to claim that they care about the people who work for them.”

“Has Mark Zuckerberg taken a pay cut?” she questioned.

“My recruiting team was top-notch, and I loved the teams we supported, but #meta’s handling of this situation is appalling,” she concluded.

Ironically, Andi Allen had voiced her delight that her position had not been impacted by the Meta layoffs just four months earlier.

She also expressed how much she loved her job and how close she was to give birth to her first child.

Andi Allen wrote, “Thank you to everyone who has checked in on me regarding the #metalayoffs. I found out this morning that my role was not impacted. I’m tremendously relieved to still have my job because I’m about 3 weeks away from having a baby, but also because I genuinely love working at #Meta.”

Meta fired close to 11,000 employees in 2022 during the first round of job cuts.

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