How branch manager Tobias Meier secured his career with networking & personal branding

The challenge: the secure job is suddenly no longer secure

Tobias has been working as a branch manager at a bank for over 20 years. He knows the business, his customers appreciate him and he has built up a stable team. However, increasing digitalization and branch closures have made him realize that he needs to change:

• His job could disappear or change drastically in the next few years.
• He has never actively looked after a network - all contacts are purely operational.
• His online presence? Not available. No LinkedIn, no portfolio, no clear profile.

He suddenly feels disoriented: "What will I do if my position is eliminated? Who am I professionally outside of this company?"

Uncertainty, but also an opportunity for realignment

😓 Self-doubt: "Am I too old to reposition myself? Can I even gain a foothold somewhere else?"
🤯 Overwhelmed: "LinkedIn, personal branding, networking - it all sounds so foreign to me."
💡 Insight: "If I don't make myself visible, I'll be overlooked - it's time to actively shape my professional identity."

He realizes that his experience is valuable - he just has to learn how to present it correctly.

3 strategies with which Tobias is slowly approaching networking & personal branding

1. build LinkedIn as a business card - without perfectionism

Tobias starts with a simple first step: he creates a LinkedIn profile.

• Upload a professional profile picture - not a glossy one, but friendly & serious
• Enter your professional experience & skills - without perfection, just get started
• A short profile text: What drives him, where he creates added value

The most important insight: perfection is not necessary - the main thing is that it is visible.

2. recognize your own strengths and expertise - and learn to formulate them

Tobias finds it difficult to talk about himself. That's why he starts with a strengths analysis with the help of a career advisor:

• What successes has he achieved in recent years?
• What do colleagues say about him? What makes him special?
• What skills has he acquired over the years?

Result: Tobias realizes that he has excellent leadership skills, change management experience and customer orientation - skills that go far beyond the branch business.

Next step: He begins to incorporate these strengths into his LinkedIn profile.

3. use offline networks: Visit regulars' tables & industry events

Tobias realizes that he should not only make himself visible online, but also offline. But the thought of "cold calling" strangers puts him off. He therefore opts for a low-threshold approach:

• Participation in specialist events and industry meetings. For example, he attends meetups for bankers in transformation, digitalization events and networking events organized by organizations such as loopings.ch.
• HR get-togethers and career meetings in his region. Here he meets like-minded people who are also looking for new opportunities.
• Contact alumni meetings or former colleagues. Tobias finds out: Many former colleagues are already working in new areas - and can provide valuable insights.

The most important insight: Networking does not mean wildly handing out business cards - it means staying authentic and building and maintaining genuine connections.

From invisible store manager to recognized expert voice

After six months, Tobias has completely reorganized himself:

• His LinkedIn profile is professional and he is actively contacted by recruiters.
• He has a clear understanding of his strengths and can communicate them confidently.
• He regularly takes part in specialist events and has already received his first job options through contacts.

‍HisLearning?

• Visibility creates opportunities - those who are not found remain invisible.
• Networking & personal branding can be learned - step by step.

Conclusion: What you can learn from Tobias' story

• A LinkedIn profile is a must today - but perfection is not necessary, the main thing is that you get started.
• Recognizing strengths helps you to develop and become visible.
• Networking is a long-term investment - offline just as important as online.

Get started now

🔎 Do you recognize yourself in Tobias' story? Do you find it difficult to talk about your strengths or actively network?

On our platform, you will find the right training courses, input and inspiration to strengthen these skills. Whether it's personal branding, using LinkedIn or networking strategies - with the right skills, you can take the next step in your career with confidence. Take a look and find the training that will take you to the next level!