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Using LinkedIn Profile as a Substitute for Resume

As of January 2013, LinkedIn, the largest business-oriented social media networking site in the world, announced to have more than 200 million registered users in over 200 different countries and territories. Having in mind its potential, it's strange how most people, particularly the tech-savvy ones, still haven't figured out how to maximize what LinkedIn offers and use its features to build effective relationships with peers, known experts and recognized professionals in their industry of interest, job search target companies and their human resource representatives that way attracting appealing employment options.

It feels like people often assume they should just mirror their resume on the LinkedIn Profile and that would be enough, just to be out there. The truth is, if you want it to work for you, you should invest the needed time and energy to create a strong profile that goes beyond just listing your skills and experiences – the deeper you explain your unique expertise the broader the audience you'll reach. In fact, the recruiters and hiring managers suggest that having a LinkedIn profile that is a carbon copy of the resume might be just slightly more effective than not having a profile at all. Instead of replicating, try complementing your resume on this social network – when the future employers 'Google' your name you'll be thankful your LinkedIn profile was listed among the first results.


So why your resume and LinkedIn profile should not look the same?

Well, imagine this happens: You've applied for your dream job and the recruiters are impressed enough with your background and achievements so they decide to look you up on the Internet. The results list your LinkedIn profile and what they see is an exact replica of the resume they just read. They are left with no further insight into the qualifications you may have that will make you a great fit for their company. What you just did is fail to successfully communicate your unique selling proposition (USP) and what makes you different from the rest of the candidates.

The other scenario is also quite possible because of the recent trend of recruiters and hiring managers to search LinkedIn for talented and experienced people that will fit the open positions in their organizations and ask them to send a resume if interested. Imagine you send them one that looks exactly the same as your LinkedIn profile. Huge fail!


What's the difference between the two?

The basic difference between your resume and LinkedIn profile is that the first one is an outbound, and the second is an inbound career marketing tool, but both should complement each other and appeal to those you are trying to influence or attract and include in your social network.

Your resume should include specific skills and background focused on the particular role or position you are targeting, including keywords identified in the job posting and demonstrating how your qualifications have brought value to past employers. The LinkedIn profile, on the other side, is rather general and intended to appear more like an overview of all your professional skills and experience, showcasing the strengths you possess that are applicable to your profession or industry. Because it is less formal than the resume, your personality can receive more attention in the profile.

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