LinkedIn the new resume?

In this digital age, a professional online presentation of your skills is more important than ever. With LinkedIn offering a virtual CV that can be accessed by hundreds of thousands of employers, does this mean the end of the traditional résumé? We believe you should use targeted, achievement-based résumés when applying for specific positions; however, you should support it with a well-crafted LinkedIn profile. In years gone by, university staff looking for a new job required an A4 résumé with their work experience, education and references, which would then be handed out to potential employers. Those days are long gone. The internet has made job hunting a much more personable experience, and employers want to put a face to the name and a personality to the résumé. In recent years, the professional social network LinkedIn has been growing hugely in popularity. Ask any of your campus colleagues about it and you’re sure to come across someone who found their current job on the site. Here’s our rundown of just some of the features that make LinkedIn powerful. SOCIAL CONNECTIONS For many fields, it’s not what you know, it’s who you know. Or rather, who knows you. Having the right connections can lead you to some of the best opportunities that you otherwise would have missed. This means that if you’re job hunting in only the traditional way, you can find that many doors are closed to you. With LinkedIn, you can connect with everyone in your field to build a social network. Better yet, you’ll get tailored recommendations on people to connect with based on who you know. This allows you to get to know a wide circle of relevant individuals much more easily, and from there, you can find out about their positions, their employment and the positions available. On the flip side, your connections will also find out more about you and your experience, and if a role opens up, you may even find yourself headhunted. CHOOSE YOUR LOCATION It’s true that sometimes the university role you were trained for doesn’t exist in your area, and you could be job hunting unsuccessfully for years. LinkedIn can remove this issue. LinkedIn can alert you to any jobs that are suitable for your training and experience in your local area, and better yet, let you look at your job prospects in other areas. You may find that there are hundreds of positions you are perfect for if you are willing to relocate. SKILL ENDORSEMENTS On a typical résumé you may include one or two pre-selected references that potential employers can contact to find out more about you. The problem with this is that the references you’ve chosen have been selected for a good reason – you know they are going to say positive things. References leave a lot to be desired, and many employers find that the references they are given can’t speak in great detail about the individual’s skills or accomplishments because they simply don’t know them well enough. This is where LinkedIn’s skill endorsements have the upper hand. Like a reference, a skill endorsement is a positive indication that you are good at your job. However, instead of a slightly forced rigmarole, anyone can endorse your skills, be that a colleague, a fellow lecturer or a previous employer. Better yet, these are willingly given from people that want to let others know you are good at your job. ENGAGEMENT Universities aren’t just looking for experience, they want someone who is thoroughly passionate about what they do. This sort of passion can be difficult to translate onto paper, so a traditional résumé will not be the best way for you to stand out from your competitors. With LinkedIn however, it is much easier to show your passion. You can post updates, blog, attend seminars, learn new skills and generally engage with colleagues. It is this engagement that shows your commitment, passion and knowledge of your field, and this can help you secure a position that is perfect for you. CULTURE FIT Culture fit is so much more important than skills. You can be tested for skills, the reader can see your experience and abilities on your résumé, but how do they know if you will fit in with the university, the department and the team? Employers need people who can do the job, but even more important is will you do it, and will you fit into the culture, the values, and team. Again, LinkedIn and your social media presence will help your prospective employer understand what makes you keen and enthusiastic. LinkedIn helps to personalise job hunters and to form a more rounded picture of your capabilities and experience, and that makes it a much more advanced form of résumé. LinkedIn is the world’s largest professional network, with more than four million members in Australia. If you haven’t created your LinkedIn account yet, you are missing vital networking opportunities. Maybe now is the time. ■ Glenda May is a corporate trainer, psychologist and executive coach. Visit www.glendamay.com.au for more information.