Resume and Linkedin Profile: Friends?

Blogger's Note:  Thanks to my aunt and uncle Meier for accommodating 
my last minute family photos request!

When thinking about the relationship between a resume and Linkedin profile, a song from my favorite Rogers and Hammerstein musical (yes, I'm serious) comes to mind, "The Farmer and the Cowman Should be Friends."  Not familiar with the lesson this song teaches?  Please indulge me.  Already know it?  Feel free to sing along.  Here we go...

"The farmer and the cowman should be friends.

Oh, the farmer and the cowman should be friends.

One man likes to push a plow, the other likes to chase a cow,

but that's no reason why they can't be friends.

Territory folks must stick together,

Territory folks must all be pals.

Cowboys dance with the farmer's daughter,

farmers dance with the rancher's gals"

The ever increasing importance of social media has prompted many to believe the resume and Linkedin profile are competing for relevance in the job search process.  Well, I'm here to publicly declare that they must peacefully coexist, as well as say, "Why yes, yes they can be friends!"  Though he doesn't mention the farmer or cowman, Thomas Wolff, writer for the TechRepublic, does confirm that "a Linkedin profile should compliment a resume, not mirror it."  I agree with Mr. Wolff and would add that though the resume and Linkedin profile serve different functions, their common goal in a job search always should be getting a job seeker a job.

THE "FARMER"

As I've mentioned in previous posts, a resume is a professional document highlighting results oriented accomplishments.  It should immediately engage a hiring manager or recruiter based on a candidate's ability to demonstrate their experience as relevant to a specific role.  A winning resume allows a candidate to tell their professional story in a concise way; generally never more than two pages.  Unlike the Linkedin profile, a resume reaches a very specific audience and is versioned so key words explicitly match those outline in a corresponding job description.  Also unlike the Linkedin profile, the resume should not include a photo or references/recommendations.

My grandfather

The best way to cohesively connect a resume with its online counterpart is by including the Linkedin profile's public URL address in the resume's contact information section (see my uncustomized URL below).  I tell my candidates that a hiring manager is going to check out their profile regardless, so why not personally invite and make it easier for them to access it?  Such an invitation demonstrates a candidate's ability to package the results oriented professional accomplishments of a resume with their more generalized yet industry specific online presence.

Gretchen Stanford

phone number  gretchenstanford12@gmail.com  www.linkedin.com/pub/gretchen-stanford/2/9b1/693/

THE "COWMAN"

While discussing Linkedin with my candidates, I often tell them to consider their profile as a master resume.  I let them know that unlike a resume, the Linkedin profile provides an unabridged outline of career history and experience.  Author of Careers Now, Joyce Lain Kennedy, defines it best when she says, "The online profile is not a customized document, but is more like a one-size-fits-all pitch post on a digital billboard."  Unlike a resume, the Linkedin profile also gives job seekers an opportunity to inject more personality into their online presence.

My great grandfather

Considering the Linkedin profile an inbound marketing tool, a well written profile will increase a job seeker's credibility within their professional network, and more importantly, with hiring managers, HR reps, and recruiters.  this is accomplished through the use of key words.  Including key words and phrases matching requirements for an industry specific position will ensure a job seeker's profile gets included in an employer or recruiter's search. According to Linkedin, last year alone 5.7 billion key word searches were conducted.  For these reasons, it's essential that job seekers know the types of key words and phrases to use their profile.

In my opinion, the biggest way the Linkedin profile differentiates from a resume is by its interactive capabilities.  Because of this job seekers must keep in mind that their success is predicated on regular engagement. Unlike a resume, job seekers and career professionals should utilize the interactive functionality of their profiles on a daily basis.  This is accomplished through joining professional groups; reading and sharing industry relevant content; adding new contacts; and networking with professionals in similar industries.

In terms of creating more cohesion between the Linkedin profile and resume, the profile MUST be complete.  This doesn't mean only a profile picture and personal/professional experience.

Recommendations, not a list of references, should be included as well.  Are recommendations in a profile necessary?  Absolutely!  I recently submitted two candidates for the same role.  Though the hiring manager thought the candidate without the recommendations was a better fit, she chose the candidate with several positive recommendations.  TRUE STORY!

Feeling overwhelmed?  Understood!  Below is a table outlining individual resume and Linkedin profile functions.

RESUME	LINKEDIN PROFILE
Sent to hiring manager and recruiters for a specific opportunity	Searched by hiring managers and recruiters
Demonstration of professional experience as it’s applicable to a specific opportunity	Overview of all professional experience and skills
Uses key words and phrases applicable to a specific role	Uses key words and phrases specific to a profession and industry
Concisely written for a specific role	Generally outlining all professional experience
Formal in tone and presentation	Opportunity to show some personality
References/Recommendations NOT included	Recommendations included NOT a list of references included
No Photo included	Photo Included
Mainly about the past	Focuses on the present and future
Includes URL to Linkedin profile	Downloadable resume capability

So now that the Linkedin profile and resume are friends, hanging out and going to brunch, I'm sure Members of Congress can find common ground.