LinkedIn and a resume are two very different tools. Here are some of their strengths and weaknesses.
Resumes are the first strike weapon in landing a job. They must grab the recruiter or employer’s attention quickly.
This requires persuasive and factual writing aimed at a specific position, rather than an incomplete and discursive narrative often found on LinkedIn sites.
Resumes are targeted and structured career biographies that drive home not only the candidate’s suitability for an interview, but satisfy a raft of other criteria.
A resume must show how innovations and initiatives were implemented, as well as qualitative career experience such as teamwork, management or leadership style.
A resume is formal in tone and language and includes detailed information about accomplishments and key responsibilities.
Unlike LinkedIn, a resume can be edited into multiple versions serving different audiences or focuses.
A LinkedIn site is less formal and more flexible. It is an inbound marketing tool aimed at getting employers and recruiters to find you – as long as the site is turned on.
I get a lot of early career people wanting LinkedIn sites but in general they are for professionals, specialists and jobs which are in high demand (but a shallow pool of candidates).
LinkedIn’s best feature offers job opportunities, networking potential and niche group conversations. A results-orientated LinkedIn profile flags to headhunters who you are and what you do.
Recruiters also look for ‘passive’ clients. They are not actively looking for a job and comprise the majority of LinkedIn members.
LinkedIn sites are not targeted and that’s a weakness. They float in cyberspace in the hope that recruiters will notice them.
Over-writing and lacking a results focus bedevil both resumes and LinkedIn.
Far too many applicants include information going back 20 years and list every short course undertaken – including those not completed.
With LinkedIn sites there’s room to expand on selling points. With resumes, accuracy, brevity and clarity are key.