Comparison of a LinkedIn Profile versus a Resume

LinkedIn is an ever-popular website for both job seekers, employers, and professionals for networking purposes. This post will explore how the LinkedIn profile is different from a resume. 

Does the LinkedIn profile replace the resume? 

The LinkedIn profile is not meant to replace the resume in an application package. The profile and the resume are complementary to each other, but serve different purposes. The resume provides a summary of your education and experience and serves as a quick reference for an employer. On the other hand, the LinkedIn profile provides a digital CV that highlights your skills and gives potential employers a better idea of who you are as a professional.

The factual information from your work experience should be the same on your LinkedIn profile and resume. Your education should be the same as well. The summary section of your LinkedIn profile is where you can tailor your content to what is being said on your resume, but make sure it still compliments it. If the sections are too far off from each other, this can discount your candidacy for a position.

Can I have multiple LinkedIn profiles? 

You can have more than one resume for different job targets. However, it is not recommended to have more than one LinkedIn profile. Having more than one LinkedIn profile can cause confusion in the hiring process because it is unclear who the potential employer will be speaking with if they contact each of your profiles. LinkedIn can reach a much broader audience than a resume when sending it to specific companies or hiring managers so we recommend having just one LinkedIn profile for all of your job searches.

How is a LinkedIn profile different from a resume? 

Resume is static and LinkedIn is evolving and more conversational. People are turning to LinkedIn to find connections with others and it is not uncommon for them to use the site as a way of networking with potential employers. The site can be an intimidating tool for those who are not comfortable with an online presence or feel that their resume is more up to date than their LinkedIn profile. It is a good idea to be aware of this trend and make sure your LinkedIn account is up to date if you are a job seeker. 

In order to get the most out of your LinkedIn profile and improve your chances of being contacted by recruiters, it is important to understand how the site works and what makes a strong profile page. The main feature of LinkedIn that sets it apart from other sites is its recent evolution from a static resume database into a more personal, dynamic networking site. Your profile page needs to reflect this evolution by being more conversational and interesting than your typical resume would be. If you take some time to learn the features that set LinkedIn apart from other sites, such as adding updates or joining groups related to your industry or field of expertise, you will have an easier time finding connections with others in your industry as well as potential employers.

Summary can be longer on a LinkedIn profile than on a resume.

If you’re currently in the job market and need a quick way to beef up your resume, LinkedIn may be the answer for you. Resumes are short and sweet with a summary at the top of your page and work history below it, whereas LinkedIn has the potential for much more detail. On LinkedIn, you can have up to 2,000 characters in your summary and list all of your education as well as your skills and qualifications. LinkedIn is not just for job seekers either – it’s great for business professionals who are trying to grow their network and make connections that could lead to promotions or opportunities down the line. If you’ve been putting off updating your LinkedIn profile because it seems like too much work, take a look at this article for some tips on how to get started.

Resume is static. 

Resume is conservative and would not include first person pronouns and LinkedIn would include these. LinkedIn profiles are less formal than resumes and can include first person pronouns, resumes are intended to be more formal and conservative in their language. 

LinkedIn has more space available. 

LinkedIn has more space and is a lot longer than a resume. LinkedIn has up to 50 keywords that you can add to be searchable by hiring managers. Additionally, you can expand more on your experience, summary, and education to provide more information to be searchable. . 

Professional photo on LinkedIn.

LinkedIn would have a professional profile picture and resume would not. LinkedIn requires this for the optimization of the profile. Tips on a professional picture: 

• You should wear professional attire. 
• Take a professional photo. This can be taken professionally or you can take this. 
• Have a solid background behind the photo. No photos and have conservative background (think white, offwhite, blue, or other conservative solid colors). 
• This should be a professional reflection of what you would look like at an interview. 
• Look at the camera directly.
• Smile in the photo and keep your eyes open for the photo. 

There are even photo analyzers available online to review your photo before you uploading to your LinkedIn profile. Some of the popular ones are photofeeler and snappr that you can review. 

Unsure how to go about optimizing your LinkedIn or using the platform, reach out to us today regarding our LinkedIn services.