Although much of the world has now seen many consecutive quarters of falling unemployment, and there has been the largest drop in unemployment in the past decade, many people still remain out of work. The dynamics of the job market have changed, and many are struggling to find their way. Many constantly look at ways of improving their chances of getting a job, looking for new career opportunities and finding new methods of standing out from the crowd.
The last few years have also been phenomenally successful for professional networking site LinkedIn, which now boasts over 180 million members. While this can be a great asset for those on the lookout for jobs, be careful not to make the mistake of thinking your LinkedIn profile and your resume are interchangeable. Simply exporting your LinkedIn profile into a resume format will not land you an interview and, while both share a lot of common ground, there are plenty of things on your LinkedIn profile which should not be included on your resume.
Your entire work history
Unless otherwise specified, the jobs on your resume should be relevant to the position you’re applying for, and that bar job you had back in University might not be related to your career path five years down the line. You should list your accomplishments and achievements, and detail their relevancy to the vacant position. LinkedIn is more akin to a ‘master resume’ where information can be obtained from, depending on what role you’re applying for.
Book Corner – The Resume Doctor: How to Transform a Troublesome Work History Into a Winning Resume
Recommendations
While you’ll need to produce references at some point down the line, using valuable room on your resume to give this information should be avoided. Employers expect candidates to be able to produce references, so use the space more wisely and include information that will help distinguish you from others. However, receiving multiple recommendations on your LinkedIn page is a great way to let potential employers know you’re good at what you do.
Interests
Share your personal interests on LinkedIn, not on your resume. Share your favorite sports or what books you enjoy reading with connections and show some personality. This insight can be easily gained by potential employers if they look you up online, but, if you haven’t included other, more valuable information prominently on your resume, HR might not bother checking out your social profiles. Of course, don’t show too much of your personal life, embarrassing and inappropriate photos not presenting you in a professional light could count against you in an interview.
Publications
Keeping track of your written work and portfolio samples via your LinkedIn profile can be helpful, particularly if employers ask for any written work. Instead of including a multitude of links on your resume or in an email response, if asked, simply direct them to your LinkedIn profile where all your previous work can be viewed. Alternatively, include your customized LinkedIn URL on your resume alongside your email and phone number by way of invitation.
Book Corner – The Power Formula for LinkedIn Success (Second Edition – Entirely Revised): Kick-start Your Business, Brand, and Job Search
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Good luck in your search,
Joey
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