Creating a powerful resume takes a lot of time and efforts. Right after the document is polished up it is usually sent to potential employers immediately. In most cases, a well-written resume is supposed to land a job interview. That is how things used to work in the past. Today is different become the competition on the jobs market has been increasing and it becomes really tough to get a chance for an interview. Resume alone is rarely used for job search today since candidates understand the importance of using other available tools, such as networking as well as social media. One of such tool - LinkedIn - has become extremely important for those who take job search seriously. The problem is when job seekers naturally copy-paste your resume content into the LinkedIn profile...
Not the Same Thing
LinkedIn profile is not an online version of your resume. At least, it shouldn't be. Your account may have the same sections as your resume but if the content is identical (which happens very often among job seekers today), the effectiveness of your profile will be quite low. It is important to understand that this social media platform specifically offers a unique chance to tell your story. Below you will find the main differences between LinkedIn and resume. This is something every job seeker should understand prior to posting anything on this social media platform.
1. LinkedIn allows painting a bigger picture. Very often details and context make a huge difference. The traditional format of a resume doesn't allow much of the contextualization of the experience (let alone the details). The great thing about LinkedIn is that you can provide the backstory on all twists that can't be explained on your resume. Make sure though that additional information actually helps employers understand where you are coming from.
2. LinkedIn profile doesn't need any tailoring. If you understand anything about effective approach to the job search process, then you probably know that each and every resume should be tailored for the position applied. Doing the same thing for your LinkedIn profile may do more harm as you can miss out on opportunities. It doesn't mean that you should not consider the general look of your profile or that you shouldn't brand yourself as a leader in the area. That simply means you don't need to narrow down your target audience too much.
3. LinkedIn does give a great chance to back up your skills. Saying that you are a great problem solver on a resume is one thing - such information is taken at face value until the interview. In the LinkedIn you have the advantage of proving your skills. For example, attach a recommendation from a former employer that does prove the aforementioned skill. Have the skill endorsements to reflect your claims. In other words, show your qualifications instead of just claiming to have them.
4. LinkedIn language doesn't have to be as formal as the language of your resume. You can use it to your advantage to demonstrate your personality. Using a conversational tone will definitely humanize you in the eyes of the hiring manager. Besides, telling a story how you got where you are now can help the employers understand your professional background.
