What Are the Differences Between Your Resume and Your LinkedIn Profile?

Many people believe that your LinkedIn profile is basically the internet version of your resume. While LinkedIn has certainly changed the face of modern hiring practices, it doesn't quite replace your resume. Here are a few key differences between the two.

Different Objectives

Your resume's main objective is to convince potential employers to interview and hire you. The resume is more focused on a particular job, while the LinkedIn profile is much more broad and general. Although LinkedIn can also be used for hiring purposes, its main function is to establish and enhance your connections with other people in your industry. It also helps you stay abreast of industry news and trends.

Photo

Including a photo with your resume or cover letter is considered bad practice, as it can potentially lead to bias or discrimination. Your LinkedIn profile, on the other hand, should always include a photo, as profiles with photos tend to be seen as more professional and complete. Make sure it's a professional-looking headshot of you in business attire and doesn't show you partying, laughing, drinking or doing anything you wouldn't want your boss to see.

Customization and Relevance

Your LinkedIn profile typically includes all or most of your work experience to provide a general overview of your skills and qualifications. A resume, on the other hand, should be personalized to each and every position you apply for, and it should only include the most relevant qualifications in relation to your desired position. Thus, you may have dozens of resumes at your disposal, but only one LinkedIn profile. Even so, the information contained in your LinkedIn account and in each of your resumes should never conflict with each other; hiring managers often skim a candidate's online profile to double-check details, such as formal titles and dates of employment.

Length

Since resumes are usually tailored to each job offer, they should be limited to one or two pages in length. Your LinkedIn profile, however, has no limit, as it typically provides the most complete picture of all your skills, qualifications and experience in one place. It can even be punched up with links to videos, presentations, your blog and your online portfolio. The potentially long and detailed nature of your LinkedIn profile is one of the reasons why the resume is still king when it comes to hiring managers, as most simply don't have time to devote more than a few moments to go over a candidate's background.

For the best chance at getting hired, make sure both your resume and your LinkedIn profile are complete and up-to-date. While there are many fundamental differences between the two, they both ultimately serve a similar purpose: to present you in the best way possible to recruiters, potential employers and industry contacts.

Photo courtesy of KROMKRATHOG at FreeDigitalPhotos.net