Your CV and LinkedIn profile are essential tools when job searching, but should they be the same or different?
The simple answer is that they should be different.
Your CV and LinkedIn profile are designed to showcase your professional expertise and attract the opportunities you are looking for. However, there are some fundamental differences in the way they should be written and structured.
LinkedIn profiles are generally more informal. Your goal is to build connections with professionals so you will want to adopt a more informal writing style using first person narrative. In contrast, CVs should be formal, your goal here is to grab the attention of the reader and convey your suitability for the job. A CV should be written in third person narrative.
Both CV and LinkedIn profiles begin with a profile summary but they differ in how they should be written. A personal profile or statement is used at the beginning of a CV. This is a short elevator pitch, where you use a few sentences to describe your unique selling points and what you are looking to do next. LinkedIn profile summaries are longer and allow for more detail. You can use hashtags and keywords to increase your search visibility.
A CV needs to be tailored in full for each job application. The contents should be relevant and keywords used throughout. A LinkedIn profile does not need to be tailored each time you apply for a job. Instead, write your profile for the job opportunities you would like to attract.
Keywords are essential for both a CV and LinkedIn profile. For CVs they are used to get through those applicant tracking systems (ATS). Tailor the keywords you use in your CV for each job application and pull these from the job description. Job titles and technical terms will also help you beat those ATS. Using keywords in your LinkedIn profile increases your search visibility. Here you can choose 3-5 keywords that generally appear in the job descriptions for roles you are applying for.
There are lots of opportunities to add a whole new dimension to your LinkedIn profile, which sets the platform apart from your traditional text-based CV. You can upload a professional photo or short video, add a banner, upload images, videos, presentations and interactive media. These features enable you to convey your talents in an interactive way.
There are several differences between your CV and LinkedIn profile but together they can complement each other and act as great tools to showcase your expertise and attract the opportunities you are looking for.
Need help with your CV or LinkedIn profile? Book a one-hour Career Coaching Burst to speed up your progress or a free Discovery call to discuss how we can help you best.