The Voice of Job Seekers

Mark Anthony Dyson ★ Career Writer ★ Speaker ★ Thinker ★ Award-winning Blog & Podcast! ★ "The Job Scam Report" on Substack! ★ I hack and reimagine the modern job search!

  • TVOJS Podcast
    • Guest Posts Topics or Podcast Guests
  • ABOUT ME
  • Press page for Mark
  • Hire Mark to Speak
  • Hire Me for Content Writing
  • Guides & Resources 2023
  • Press Bylines
  • PRESS MENTIONS
  • Articles
  • Guides & Resources

by Mark Anthony Dyson

How To Be Or Not To Be Perfessional Online

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

How To Be Or Not To Be Perfessional Online by Mark Anthony Dyson

Last summer, I offered Beachside Rehab. Recently, I used the word “perfessional” in context to people sharing their sober status on LinkedIn.

It seems like it splits whether you should or shouldn’t. I err on caution only, as authenticity could be weaponized (and we often see that).

It’s freeing for many people but not for everyone. The peer pressure to do it doesn’t help either. I hope people are 100% if they choose either.

My take on “perfessional”:

personal

professional

confessional

First, I can’t help but say people use “perfessional” as a professional on LinkedIn. Misspellings happen, and we need spell checks at our fingertips.

But I digress. 

I see posts where people are encouraging this new vulnerability as a way to build on their brand. There’s nothing wrong with it being a way to convey a person’s over-arching message in telling their story. 

I’m only convinced telling your story is an employer attraction if it’s an employment story where someone’s skills or personal attributes are the catalysts. Resilience is necessary, but it’s also contextual. Employers need to see it through your story. 

I understand why, for some, “perfessional” is essential:

  • It connects you to others in your network.
  • It attracts like-minded people to you for support and encouragement.
  • “Perfessional” breeds collaborations. 
  • No one can copy your story, even if they copy what you’ve written. 

Remote work has ushered in the need to convert your online network to your coworkers. Many people are comfortable with it, while it scares others. 

Then again, someone’s “profession” has become someone’s trauma. Wow (What did I say?)!

 

 

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • iTunes Podcasts
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • RSS Feed

About Mark Anthony Dyson

I am the "The Voice of Job Seekers!" I offer compassionate career and job search advice as I hack and re-imagine the job search process. You need to be "the prescription to an employer's job description." You must be solution-oriented and work in positions in companies where you are the remedy. Your job search must be a lifestyle, and your career must be in front of you constantly. You can no longer shed your aspirations at the change seasons. There are strengths you have that need constant use and development. Be sure you sign up to download my E-Book, "421 Modern Job Search Tips 2021!" You can find my career advice and work in media outlets such as Forbes, Inc., Fast Company, Harvard Business Review, Glassdoor, and many other outlets.

  • Mail
  • |
  • Web
  • |
  • Twitter
  • |
  • Facebook
  • |
  • LinkedIn
  • |
  • More Posts(760)

Filed Under: Job Search Tagged With: Job Search, perfessional, Personal branding

Join the email list and get “12 Modern Job Search Strategies Beyond the Resume 2022”

Download free

The Fortune For Your Career Is In The Follow-up

Download free

I moderated a panel on Wealth Management for executives by Black Enterprise Magazine in October 2023 in Miami.

I was interviewed on Scripps News show, “The Why!” 4/13/2023

I talked with John Tarnoff and Kerry Hannon of “The Second Act” podcast about job searching after 50 in October 2022.

I was on “The Career Confidante” podcast to talk about “boomerang employees” and “job fishing” in June 2022.

Making Job Search a Lifestyle With “Dr. Dawn Graham on Careers,” SiriusXM Ch. 132, Wharton School of Business May 2021

In May 2020, I talked with LinkedIn’s Senior News Editor Andrew Seaman on “#GetHired” Live.”

Beverly Jones, host of the NPR podcast “Jazzed About Work,” invited me back to talk job scams, job search trends, and AI tools in April 2024

WOUB Digital · Episode 183 : Job search expert Mark Dyson says beware of scams, know AI & keep learning

Copyright © 2025 · Generate Pro on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in