Transitioning from private practice to corporate life and back via LinkedIn: Jeff Torchon

If you've got a highly marketable skillset, should you set up shop and find clients? Or should you seek out a lucrative contract with a promising corporation? Perhaps the answer is best determined by the professional temperament of an individual, but sometimes it's just a matter of the right opportunity at the right time. Web marketing consultant Jeff Torchon has done both - and with the help of LinkedIn, he found the transition surprisingly "quick and easy".

Last year Jeff was happy running an independent consulting gig when two recruiters reached out to him via LinkedIn, offering director positions at major national firms. He interviewed with both, and one firm turned out to be one of his current clients. The proposition caused him to consider corporate life again. Around the same time, a couple of potential clients reached out to Jeff via InMail. Between two job offers and new client opportunities, Jeff had a great set of options to choose from. Considering the strong relationship, he decided to take the job with his existing client.

Just recently, Jeff transitioned back into private consulting, and LinkedIn has helped smooth the change. As the company he worked for downsized their new ventures, Jeff was once more in position to accept consulting offers. An old colleague saw the press release and reached out to him via LinkedIn - with some new leads for consulting opportunities.

LinkedIn User Snapshot

Who: Jeff Torchon, Owner, JTorchon Consulting (New York, NY)

How: Jeff was found by recruiters and new clients alike with a strong profile on LinkedIn

LinkedIn Tips from Jeff

Be found for the right incoming opportunities:

• Complete your profile with a robust Professional Summary and Past Experience
• Showcase career highlights by adding Honors and Awards and hyperlinks to your work
• Share your portfolio for download by uploading files to your Box.net application