Do I need a LinkedIn Profile if I Have a Resume?

Yes! You need a LinkedIn Profile even if you have a resume. Job seekers should have an updated LinkedIn profile and a resume…each performing a different function. Your resume does not replace your LinkedIn profile and vice versa.

  What is the Purpose of a Resume?

A resume is much more than your job history, skill summary, education, and interests. A resume is the selling of you.

• Did you know that the average resume length for a person entering the workforce is 300-350 words? The word count tends to increase with experience and salary, topping off between 850-1000 words!
• Did you know that the look and feel of your resume should reflect you, not an image of you but the you that the interviewer will hopefully meet in person? If your expertise is artsy or requires a designer touch, the resume can reflect that. If you are an attorney, an accountant, or a business professional, keep those lines clear and straightforward.
• This is understood but here goes anyway- do not fabricate, embellish, or lie. Technology is an easily accessible and effective tool for hiring departments, and verification is easier than it once was. Stand tall and talk about yourself in a solid and confident voice.

Your resume is an electronic, one-dimensional snapshot of your professional image. This is the first introduction a hiring person will have to you. Unfortunately, it is non-interactive and somewhat impersonal, so let’s add LinkedIn to offer a deeper look into your abilities and professional life.

Why do I Need an Updated LinkedIn Profile?

Before you go any further and begin the job hunt, review your LinkedIn profile. Hiring managers and Human Resource managers will check your LinkedIn profile. Adding the link in your resume header is a confident move, so let’s make sure it is current and, most of all, that it matches the employment history stated on your resume.

• Invest in a professional headshot for your profile picture. It is the first look the hiring manager will have, and you do not want to be on a beach with your best friend cut out of the picture. So do it right; it is well worth the time and money.
• Use the about section to speak to the reader in a less linear way that the resume. For example, talk about yourself, your passion for work, and what makes you unique.
• The experience section should follow your resume but not an exact cut and paste. The reader may be a future employer, a colleague looking to recommend your services, or a client gathering information before an appointment.
• Utilize keywords from your industry and the position you are seeking. These keywords will also help from a sales perspective for prospects looking to engage with you for your services.

Your LinkedIn Profile Speaks for You

Your LinkedIn Profiles provide hiring managers with insight. Your LinkedIn profile should complement your resume, not present a copy. LinkedIn allows you to brag a little and showcase what you’ve got.

• Are you a graphic designer? Post some of your recent work or discuss a project when you overcame obstacles and delivered the product to your client.
• Share writing samples.
• Add testimonials and recommendations.
• The Volunteering section showcases groups and activities you are passionate about.
• The tagline under your name perfectly summarizes your professional passions, skills, and perhaps reasons why you are the ideal addition to any team.

Many job posting sites offer the ability to apply with your resume and LinkedIn profile. Your resume provides a linear view of your professional life. Still, LinkedIn is interactive and can offer videos, samples of your work, and a better insight into you as a person, not just an applicant. Be your authentic self!

Need help creating your LinkedIn profile and resume?

Look no further. The statics vary by state and industry, but it is a safe bet to say that just under 50% of employers will view your LinkedIn profile before scheduling the first interview.  So why take a chance?

Schedule a free 30-minute consultation, and let’s talk about how to get that interview, close the deal, and represent you in the best light. Have an extra few minutes? Read more resume tips and see how your current resume stacks up..

Karen