How to Make Your Resume, Cover Letter, and Linkedin Profile Work Together and Help You Get The Job of Your Dreams
Each gives you the chance to tell the recruiter about yourself in a different way. Resume, LinkedIn profile, and cover letter. The three main factors that will influence your chance of landing your dream job.
Many might ask if it is necessary to have all three, and the answer is simple: yes, it is. The way you speak about yourself in each will differ depending on the career you are aiming for. Your goal remains the same: to tell your professional story in the best way possible.
No matter whether you are looking for a new job or trying to attract new clients. Your resume, cover letter, and LinkedIn profile will play a crucial role in the job hunt. The following are tips and tricks on putting together the best profile by using these three platforms.
Keep Your Resume Brief and Flexible
Your resume should be a brief summary of your career. You should highlight the best skills or knowledge you can offer. Keep your resume short – one page is enough. Professionals who have succeeded in many career fields recommend a simple one-page resume.
The goal of your resume is to catch the attention of the recruiter or potential client. After reading your resume, the reader should know all about you and your skills. It should also leave the reader wanting to know more. This will entice him to invite you to the interview for your dream job.
When putting together your resume, think of the highlights. Use bulleted lists to present your most recent accomplishments and jobs. Highlight your recent and present achievements. Keep the older ones to not more than one line, as they will most likely not affect your chances as much.
Resumes should never be too long or seem encyclopedic. Do not try to do too much, and save the details for your LinkedIn profile.
Make sure you tailor each resume to the job you are applying for. Highlight those skills that are important for a particular position. While most of it may remain the same, the personal statement should aim at the specific position.
Recruiters spend less than 10 seconds reading each resume. It is thus crucial to make important information stand out. Do this by creating a simple resume that highlights your main accomplishments.
Find out more on how to catch the recruiter’s attention in How to Write a Great Resume.
Make Your Cover Letter Stand Out by Customizing It
Do not underestimate your cover letter. It is your chance to introduce yourself to your potential employer. A resume may help you get to the narrow selection of applicants, but your cover letter plays the main role.
Your cover letter should narrate your career. It should also highlight why you are the perfect candidate for the position you applied for. It is thus important that you adjust or change your cover letter for each position. Ensure it reflects the qualities that the employer is looking for. The narration of your career can stay the same in your cover letters. Try to always highlight the skills that the recruiter will be looking for. Adjust, tweak and customize your cover letter as necessary. Keeping a folder with all your cover letters can be helpful, as starting one is usually the hardest part.
If you want to know more about crafting the perfect cover letter, read How to Write a Great Cover Letter in 6 Steps.
Keep Your LinkedIn Profile Up To Date
Your LinkedIn profile is an overview of your professional career. It encompasses all the information about you. Your summary should include your professional story. In the experience section, elaborate on your past jobs like in your resume, but go into more detail. There are no space limitations in your LinkedIn profile. You can add in all the details that did not fit on your one-page resume, but try to keep it organized and neat. Use bulleted lists for your biggest achievements. Add a separate section for extra skills. This can include your licenses, certificates, or your experience with volunteering.
Do not forget that LinkedIn is an interactive tool and should thus serve as more than a resume. Create and maintain connections, send and reply to messages, and be active on your profile—post links to other websites to show off your work or what interests you. Update your status with interesting articles or works you find inspiring.
You can do a lot on LinkedIn, and so can all the other applicants for the position of your dreams. It is thus important to keep your profile up to date and show continuous activity. Potential employers may be checking your profile any day. Never leave it blank or filled with outdated information. Make an effort to present yourself as a reliable professional.
Create a custom URL and stand out to potential employers or clients on LinkedIn. Your custom URL can be something as simple as https://www.linkedin.com/in/janedoe/. This slight change can make it much easier for potential employers to find you. If your name is already in use, try adding an initial or your middle name.
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