Don't Burn Your Résumé for LinkedIn

Some say you should swap résumés for online profiles. I disagree. I wish it were that easy!

We have no control over what companies need from applicants. Most still have Applicant Tracking Systems, which need content that only a "Black Hole" understands.

Worse, we cannot spend an hour on each application, only to have it last 6 seconds before an HR person throws it away. So what CAN we do?!

Purpose

Steve Blakeman made a compelling case for dropping traditional résumés for online profiles instead. Let's clarify the purpose of both and how you can increase your "résumé presence". 

The first step to getting a job is an awesome profile that has enough key search terms, but also gets people interested. It says, "Hey! Look at the STORY of all I have done!" It is not meant to have all résumé content but should get them wanting to see it. It should be mainly in the first person, telling your story that they can relate to. Focus on the compelling reasons they should look into YOU - how you stand out. (The cover letter used to serve this purpose, but nobody looks at those anymore.)

In short, your résumé should list your relevant achievements and top skills as "WHAT I can do for YOU". Still not HOW. (That comes in the interview!) Oh, and please avoid fluffy subjective statements, like "Highly qualified", "Results focused" and "Successfully"!

Timing is Everything

Research proved we only have 6 seconds to show our value...

This is important. Whether it is a paper résumé or online profile, I suggest the 6 seconds holds true.

Based on this research and being an interviewer myself, first impressions are critical. It comes down to the first key things people read about you.

Your Call to Action

On LinkedIn, the first thing interested people see about you (other than your picture, of course) is your Headline.

You have 120 characters for that. People see it everywhere! Searches, comments, feed and notifications.

You'd better make it good and compelling!

Time to Shine

Then you get to the meat of it all. Your chance to shine, once you grabbed their attention.

LinkedIn gives you 2,000 characters for the Summary. 2,000 sticky, sweet and golden characters to tell YOUR story!

If you lose them here, they're gone - literally!

Tell Your Story

Do you tell your story or a bunch of stories? That is, does your profile tell one concise story - or are you telling it in many different ways and making it hard to figure out?

Even if you have a full "All Star" profile, you may still be hardly noticed!

You need great content, concise formatting and active engagement. Think cell phones and short attention spans!

Summary

1. You want people to know your “value statement” as soon as possible online. The Headline and Summary are key.
2. Once you catch the reader’s attention, you need to get them to keep reading. LinkedIn gives ample room for you to tell your story.
3. If you want a job, you better have an All Star LinkedIn profile - and then some!

What do YOU think?

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