Will LinkedIn Replace the Resume?

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I haven’t touched my resume in over a year — why? Because I’ve been busy updating my LinkedIn profile. It’s almost polished to perfection. That’s all I need these days, right? Unfortunately, wrong. Many employers still use Applicant Tracking Systems that require an electronic copy of your resume. That means you resume needs to be in tip-top shape.

There are other reasons why LinkedIn might not replace the resume anytime soon. Although the resume is short, it allows each to be tailored to a specific position, while your LinkedIn profile is a more general recap of your career. Tailoring your LinkedIn for each job application would be almost impossible. But there are still many benefits of using LinkedIn. Here are our favorite ones:

• Get Recruited by Hiring Managers: LinkedIn is a great place for recruiters to find top talent. Make sure your profile is filled with industry keywords that will help you get found. You never know — a recruiter might reach out to you when you least expect it.
• Find Relevant Job Listings: Many companies share their recent openings on LinkedIn — and we’re one of them! Find our recent listings on the Spectrum Brands LinkedIn page.
• Network within Your Industry: When you check out an open position on LinkedIn, it will tell you who you’re connected to at that company. That opens opportunities for information interviews or even changes to get your resume in front of a real person for feedback.
• Show off Your Various Skills: Your LinkedIn profile is a great place to show off your personality and your various skills. Unlike a resume, you have more room to play with and a more informal way to present this information.
• Establish an online presence: If a hiring manager Googles your name, a LinkedIn presence is a great thing to stumble upon. It’s an equally professional but expanded-upon illustration of who you are and where you want to go in your career.

We’ll see whether the resume or the LinkedIn profile is taking the lead ten years from now, but right now it’s worth polishing both presences.