Social media has been king for the last two decades. It’s no surprise how employers now use social media to find new candidates. LinkedIn is one that employers use. So why is it important to include Linkedin on your resume?
The answer is simple: it gives employers a window into who you are and your background. If you are among many job seekers looking to land your next job, ensuring your LinkedIn profile is updated should be your focus.
Why You Should Have a LinkedIn Profile for Your Job Search
LinkedIn is a social platform where business people and professionals display their skills and talents in a virtual setting. Many people view LinkedIn. Your next hiring manager is likely to find your LinkedIn profile.
LinkedIn has a dynamic way of organizing your work history. You can add links to your past employers and schools. Your LinkedIn profile also has areas where those who have worked with you in the past can endorse your skills.
There are other reasons to have a LinkedIn profile.
- Best Way to Maintain Contacts
- Build Your Professional Brand
- Improve Your Google Rank
- Access Job Boards and New Opportunities
- Say Informed on Trends Affecting Your Industry
What LinkedIn Profiles Do that Resumes Don’t
LinkedIn offers a prospective employer an interactive look at your skills. It grabs a recruiter’s attention. In addition, as you interact on LinkedIn, they can see how you communicate with others. Since LinkedIn highlights your skills, prospective employers can verify what’s on your resume.
Skills can also be highlighted on your LinkedIn profile by taking skills assessments. Not only can you have others endorse your skills, but you can post certified results on how well you know the skills you say you have. Have a certified professional resume writer review your resume.
What Should Go On My LinkedIn Profile?
Your LinkedIn profile is your branding statement. Did you know there is a wrong and a correct way to organize your LinkedIn profile?
Things to Include
- Header Section: LinkedIn allows you to put a header on your profile. The header summarizes your objective and gives a little about who you are. For example, “A dynamic accounting manager with two decades managing corporate accounting teams.”
- Profile Picture: Selfies are cute for Instagram, but your LinkedIn profile needs a professional photo. Simple ways to do this are to have someone take a photo of you in a suite or business attire, use a photo app to create a studio background, and voila, you’ve created the perfect professional profile picture.
- Clear Objective: After the header, put in a summary of your career objectives, the type of role you are seeking, and what skills you have that will aid you in that goal.
Things to Omit from your LinkedIn Profile
- Add Entire Work History: Just like your resume, only include relevant work experience on your LinkedIn profile. It also is good to ensure the profile matches your resume.
- List and Not Inform: Do not merely list your skills. In your objective section, describe why your skills are the best for the employer.
- Offensive Articles: LinkedIn is a social media platform. You can post articles and make personal posts on your profile. Everyone with access to your profile can see what you post. Do not post political articles or articles that are generally offensive. Do not turn off a potential employer.
Putting Your LinkedIn Profile URL On Your Resume
Your LinkedIn profile has a URL. Use the LinkedIn profile URL on your resume. Also, ensure that your LinkedIn profile is set to visible so anyone who searches for it can view your public profile.
Hire a Professional Resume Writer
A resume is a way to get people to notice your credentials. It’s like a business card for your work history. Hiring managers review many resumes, and yours must stand out. Hire a professional resume writer to complete your resume.
We can also review your LinkedIn profile and officer recommendations. Contact us if you need your resume and your LinkedIn profile refreshed.