Do You Need Both?!

You might be wondering if you really need a LinkedIn and CV, especially if you are short on time. They say the same thing, right? Not really.

The short answer is that LinkedIn and your CV serve different purposes in your job search. Let’s look at what they do and how they can work together to help you pursue your career goals.

What Your CV Does Differently

Here’s why a CV is important in your job search and how it differs from your LinkedIn profile.

Tailored To Each Application

A well-written CV can be the key to securing an interview for your next role. If you have read any of my other articles about writing an effective CV, you’ll know you should tailor your CV towards the job you are applying for.

Here is where it starts to differ from your LinkedIn profile. Your CV can be (re)written with a specific job in mind. You can use key words and phrases from the job description in your CV to show how relevant your skills are. You can also focus on your most relevant achievements. If you make your experience sound like the job description, it is easier for your reader to see you are a good fit.

Sent Directly To Employer

Another way that LinkedIn and CVs differ is how the information reaches employers. You send a CV directly to an employer (or recruiter) who has a vacancy you are interested in. You know your CV is getting into the hands of the people who need to see it.

Your LinkedIn profile is at the whim of the algorithm. You might show up in searches that employers do, or you might not. You might appear in the feed of the hiring manager, or you might not. Who needs that level of uncertainty?!

Yes, LinkedIn does have an ‘Easy Apply’ option which lets you apply for jobs directly from the platform. My top tip is don’t use it!

Using the ‘Easy Apply’ button means your application is grouped with all the others, in the same format. It is much harder to stand out through this route. Instead, I would recommend that you find the vacancy on the company’s own website and apply direct. This shows a little initiative, you have control over the format of your CV, and you know it has arrived safely!

Often Required

A CV is also often a required part of the application process. Even if it doesn’t specifically ask you to upload a CV, chances are it will ask you for all the information it contains anyway.

This means that an effective CV is an essential part of the job searching process. Having all of your skills and experience outlined in a coherent way makes the world of difference.

You might be undecided on whether you need LinkedIn and CV, but you can be sure you need a CV.

What LinkedIn Does Differently

So what does LinkedIn bring to the table? There are few ways in which it can add something to your job search.

Discoverability

Recruiters and employers can search for you, or people like you. They can search for key skills and find profiles that contain those skills. If you include industry-specific keywords, and actively use your account, you will start to appear in searches.

I wouldn’t suggest you sit back and let your profile do all the work. However, it’s good to know it is helping your job search while you explore other avenues.

Ongoing Visibility

Your visibility on LinkedIn isn’t limited to your profile. Every time you comment, post, reshare, or write recommendations, you are boosting your visibility.

Using LinkedIn to build a network of connections can be a useful tool in your job search. You can interact with people in your industry and/or who work at your target companies. You will likely find out about opportunities first, and you are demonstrating your interest in working there too.

Show Your Personality

Although your Linkedin and CV cover a lot of the same ground, LinkedIn has a real advantage in showing off your personality.

Your LinkedIn profile can be more informal than your CV. Although you want to remain professional, you can afford to let your personality shine through. You can use a relaxed tone of voice and write your About section in a way that tells your story well.

Sell yourself, in your words, and employers will know exactly what they will get by hiring you.

Recommendations

LinkedIn also allows people to leave recommendations, based on their experience of working with you. This is invaluable. Remember, you can invite people to leave recommendations too.

Good recommendations act as reviews and can be viewed by prospective employers, before they make contact. This means that they already have a good impression, before you utter a word.

How To Make Your LinkedIn And CV Work Together

The good news is, there is some overlap between your LinkedIn profile and your CV. For instance, they contain the same core facts. Your employment history and skills will be consistent, although will differ in tone and depth.

However, I would caution you against copying and pasting text from one to the other. Your LinkedIn should complement the information in your CV, rather than replicating it.

In fact, your LinkedIn profile will be a less formal, broader version of your CV. It will tell your career story using searchable terms and keywords. You can use your About section to show what motivates you and where your passion lies.

You can also link to your LinkedIn profile on your CV. If your reader is interested in finding out more about you, or seeking recommendations, they can follow this link. This is an important reason to avoid copying and pasting information from your CV to LinkedIn. If your reader is looking for something more, don’t just repeat what they’ve already seen!

Final Thoughts

Before you spend time and effort setting up your LinkedIn profile, it is also worth doing some research. Not all industries use LinkedIn to the same extent, some not at all. Make sure key people in your chosen field have active profiles before you get started.

If you opt to use a LinkedIn and CV, remember that they should be complementary. They serve different purposes in your job search so you should write them differently.

They are also both evolving documents and should be regularly updated/tailored. If you want to get the most out of your LinkedIn and CV, you should keep the information fresh and up to date.

You can find more tips and information on creating CVs and using LinkedIn here. This also includes details of my writing/editing services.

If you’re ready to chat about your support needs, book a call today.