You are wrong if you think your LinkedIn profile and CV/Resume are meant to get you a job offer. No, no. That is not the purpose.
The real and only purpose of the LinkedIn/Resume is to get you an interview.
It’s the job interview that leads you to the job offer that, in turn, leads to the job. Period.
You must keep this in mind when writing your profiles, also known as your personal marketing pitch.
What we look at first on your LinkedIn profile
Research shows that after scanning the visual elements of your profile (your photograph and background banner), we check the few lines just below your name, jump straight to the Experience section, and then to About.
- Background banner
- Your photograph
- Your name
- The headline, ie the text below your name
Background image: Go to Google Images and write “stock photo [insert]. The insert could be your functional area (accounting, HR, sales, etc) or your industry. Use a photo of at least 1584 x 396 pixels.
Photograph: Go for a headshot with a neutral background, look into the camera, smile, and wear the clothes you would normally wear to work. Use removebg.com to play with the background.
Headline: Use a maximum of two lines (even the space gives you four actually). Combine your functional area with the industry and something unique you wish to highlight.
Important difference between Resume and CV
You probably heard the saying: Same Same But Different.
It’s a phrase common in Southeast Asia and quite appropriate when explaining the concepts of a Resume and CV.
The CV is a Career Balance Sheet, a detailed balance sheet as we know it from accounting and finance.
It’s a long, very detailed document that can run up to many pages, easily five to ten. A document that does not skip even decimals, a presentation that can stand the toughest of audits.
Your CV should never be shared with anyone. It stays on your personal computer forever, but from which you pick the relevant text when creating the all-important personal resume.
Résumé is originally a French word meaning summary or outline.
In other words, you must use a two-page resume to introduce yourself to executive search firms, recruitment companies, or corporate talent acquisition professionals.
How much text do I add to my LinkedIn
Too many people write a CV that is several pages long as though it would be used in a Court of Law. No, no, no!
Your Resume must be a summary of your CV.
Max two pages and around 600-700 words only.
Now, imagine that you summarize your two-page Resume into one page and 300-350 words.
That is the amount of text you add to your LinkedIn profile.
Both Michelangelo and Mark Twain are credited for this statement below:
I didn’t have time to write you a short letter, so I wrote you a long one.
Changing a 5-page CV into a 2-page Resume will likely take you more time than it took to do the 5-page CV.
Your biggest challenge, no doubt, is deciding what you must keep and what you should leave out.
This really upsets recruiters in your Resume
So, what upsets recruiters to the point of disqualifying a resume without a proper review?
- Just your name but with no address and contact details on the top of the first page.
- Drop the photo; too risky. We say that photos are only for models and bartenders.
- Too much text with narrow margins and too little white space around. Stick to two pages and around 600-700 words.
- Work periods in the left margin attract too much attention and easily give away job hoppers or those who have worked for more than 10 years in one job. Move the period into the middle and immediately after the position.
Using buzz words like self-motivated, energetic, team player, and passionate, but do not present proper skills and technical knowledge. Recruiters do not search for soft skills; please keep them for the interview.
- Applying for a job without relevant job and industry experience. Was that not a given?
- New graduates or candidates on their first-ever job are now looking for a CEO job! Kidding me?
- Showing current compensation, which happens to be over the position budget. Or too low, which indicates the person is not managerial material. Do not share compensation information.
Wrong education to what is clearly stated as a requirement. Don’t waste our time.
- Too young, too old.
- Never worked in Asia but wants a job in Thailand. LOL.
20 things to never put in your profiles
For the full version of 20 crazy important things, go to my original blog; click here to open/read.
- Don’t put an “objective” on your profile.
- Leave irrelevant work experience out. Could be jobs you held for less than 12 months. Could also be jobs you had 20-30 years ago.
- Don’t show your hobbies; talk about them at the interview.
- Don’t lie. But you don’t have to tell us everything. Leave something for the job interview.
- Putting your age on your resume could be a hindrance. Age discrimination is out there and will get you.
If you have no idea how to get started
I’m a Certified Professional Resume Writer by the US-based Professional Association of Resume Writers.
I am not just a writer or designer. I headhunt people because I am a professional recruiter. I know from my own experience what attracts in a LinkedIn and resume – and what not!
We offer candidates a variety of support, resources, and services, including both complimentary and fee-based options.
For detailed information, please visit our support services page at: https://www.tomsorensen.in.th/shop/support/
You may also consider joining our monthly free webinars on LinkedIn and Resume writing, called Botox Your Resume and LinkedIn Best Practice.
Check out the timetable, details, and registration at https://www.tomsorensen.in.th/services/webinars/
