Should Your LinkedIn Profile Be The Same As Your CV?

Research shows that recruiters spend, on average, less than 10 seconds reading a CV. However, does this mean that recruiters don’t care about the traditional CV anymore, and should you replace your CV with LinkedIn? Not quite. Here’s why you should use LinkedIn and a CV together to create a well-rounded impression of you.

Why you need a strong CV

For recruiters, CVs are still the most important document in your job search. Remember, the average job get at least 250 applications, meaning you need to work harder to stand out from the crowd.

A good CV tells recruiters about your:

• Skills
• Achievements
• Employment history
• Academic record and qualifications (if necessary)
• Reasons for wanting this particular job

And remember, always tailor your CV to the job you’re applying for.

A CV is important, but there’s one tool that can bring it to life like no other – LinkedIn.

How a solid LinkedIn profile adds value to your CV

A LinkedIn profile boosts your CV’s effectiveness in a number of ways, because it’s an opportunity to show recruiters who you are. Your LinkedIn profile adds value to your CV by:

• Fleshing out your skills and employment history
• Showing recruiters what interests you and who you interact with
• Demonstrating your communication skills and professionalism

What’s great about LinkedIn is that you can include keywords in your profile to attract the right recruiters to your page, too.

Tips for building a great LinkedIn profile

Since so many candidates have LinkedIn profiles these days, you must ensure that your profile stands out from the pack.

Be professional

Always use a recent and professional photo to set the right impression.

Get endorsements

If you can, ask other professionals in your network to endorse you and vouch for how talented you are

Share content

Try to regularly share content related to the area you’re interested in, be it medicine, business, finance, or otherwise. Show that you’re passionate about the sector.

Make connections

Don’t shy away from connecting with industry professionals and getting to know who else is out there.

Get involved

Contribute to discussions on forums and posts. This is a great way to demonstrate your knowledge.

Stay relevant

Include your most up-to-date work experience and achievements.

CV or LinkedIn – where recruiters look first

If you’re looking for a new job, you want to make a great first impression on a potential employer. That’s where the big question comes in – where do recruiters look first, your CV or your LinkedIn profile? The answer depends on a few factors, such as:

• How you apply for a job; for example, if you answer questions online and leave a link to your LinkedIn profile, or if you send an email with a cover letter and CV
• Where the recruiter lists the job
• If the recruiter headhunts you on LinkedIn
• If you register with a jobs board, in which case you’ll probably apply with a CV

Since there’s no telling where the recruiters will look first, it makes sense that both your CV and LinkedIn should be as strong as possible. Don’t make the mistake of assuming, for example, that a comprehensive LinkedIn profile makes up for a lacklustre CV.

Conclusion

Although job hunters sometimes make the mistake of assuming that a LinkedIn profile is a substitute for a traditional CV, the reality is that a CV is still a necessary tool in your job-hunting toolbox. Use your CV to stand out during the job search, and use LinkedIn to bring your CV to life and build long-term connections with potential employers.