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LinkedIn represents a critical part of any career development process. However, has the social media behemoth become central enough to replace traditional job-hunting tools? Specifically, can you use LinkedIn as your resume?

The platform certainly has a wide enough reach. It boasts more than 750 million members. Meanwhile, LinkedIn’s users offer more than 10 million active jobs with over 9 million employers.

Still, you need to be careful about scrapping the old-fashioned resume format. It still has its uses in the modern age.

Your best strategy involves a blended approach. Keep your resume handy but leverage LinkedIn’s reach to improve your career prospects. Here are a few factors to keep in mind:

Every Company Is Different

For many companies, a LinkedIn profile acts as a substitute for a formal resume. However, this is far from universal.

For instance, research shows that 87% of recruiters use LinkedIn to vet candidates. That’s an extremely high rate, indicating how central to hiring LinkedIn has become. Still, the figure also suggests a certain limit.

The flip side of that stat: 13% of recruiters don’t use LinkedIn. As a result, if you rely exclusively on the platform, you’ll automatically exclude yourself from about one out of every eight employers.

Also, note the language used in the survey. The vast majority of recruiters look to LinkedIn as a vetting tool. They don’t necessarily lean entirely on the information included in a profile. The hiring managers include it among a list of data-collection sources.

For instance, the same survey showed that 43% of recruiters check out Facebook and 22% review Twitter to gain insight about a candidate. LinkedIn is necessary to maximize your career opportunities. But it’s not the only tool you should use.

LinkedIn as Enhancement, Not Replacement

You don’t necessarily have to replace your resume with a LinkedIn profile. Think of them as complementary tools. LinkedIn can enhance the information included in your other documentation.

A company might require you to submit a resume as part of the application process. That’s fine. You can offer a link to your LinkedIn profile as well, giving you even more value.

For instance, one study indicated that a strong LinkedIn profile can boost a candidate’s chances of getting hired by 71%. This increase comes even when an applicant submits a resume as well. The statistics suggest that a link to the LinkedIn profile as part of the resume improved callback rates.

The takeaway: you don’t need to look at a resume and a LinkedIn profile as competing tools. They support and complement each other. Feel free to use both during an application process.

How to Use Your LinkedIn Profile

Don’t just think about LinkedIn as a possible replacement for your resume. It has a bigger part to play in your career development.

Because of its reach, you can use the platform to build connections and find new opportunities. You just need to get the most out of it:

Keep It Updated

Just like with a resume, regularly update your LinkedIn profile. This will ensure that it contains the latest information about your skills and background.

Use Additional Features

LinkedIn goes well beyond a digital resume. It offers additional features, like educational offerings and content-creation capabilities. These let you connect with potential employers and build your network.

Become a Master Networker

Ultimately, LinkedIn is about making connections. Just look at the name…linked in. Use this function as much as possible. Meet new people and seek out like-minded professionals. These could open the door to the perfect job.

Navigating the modern job market can be confusing. It helps to have expert guidance. Partner with a strong recruiting firm, like PrideStaff, to maximize your job prospects.

Contact the leading recruiters at PrideStaff today to learn more.

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