Great LinkedIn Profiles and CVs can be a life changers!
This is pretty much a follow on from my article on profiles in general, but which dealt primarily with the Business Profile. A Business Profile is an essential introduction to your business and pretty much mirrors the content on your website. As important as the Business Profile is to promote your business, great LinkedIn Profiles and CVs can be real life changers!
LinkedIn builds relationships
So why is that? Well LinkedIn is not just the largest and most effective B2B platform, but it is also where people are ‘head hunted’ for new jobs. As a business, by connecting with a lot of other people and businesses, you create a network of potential colleagues and clients to build valuable relationships. As a private individual seeking a job, or maybe just a better position, it gives you a platform exactly where most of the Recruiters are hunting for the right candidates.
The CV ‘Professional Profile’ could land you the job
A CV is still what Recruiters and employers will ask for however, once you have been spotted on LinkedIn. The way that your CV is presented is vital to your chances of landing the position. The CV ‘Professional Profile’ (the summary of your strengths and attributes) is in fact sometimes the only part that is read – and unbelievably, many people don’t even have this in their CV!
So what does this all have to do with me – a professional Content Writer? Simply put, the way these LinkedIn Profiles and CVs are written and compiled, can mean the difference between landing that new client, or the great position you seek, or not.
The structure of the LinkedIn Profile
There are conflicting opinions on this, but I have had many testimonies from satisfied clients whose LinkedIn Profiles have served them well, so I know my structure works. Essentially a good LinkedIn Profile is about connecting people, so that should be the main focus.
It is usually written in the first person and should comprise: a little about you personally (but definitely not too personal, or too much); something about your business and what it offers, or as an individual, your skills and experience; and then, most importantly, several good reasons why people should connect with you!
The exact structure depends on to what extent the profile is representing the person, or their business. This, and the importance of it being well written, are why some expertise is required and I am hired usually to write them.
The structure of the CV professional profile
The actual structure of a CV, in terms of what goes where, is also very important. The ‘Professional profile’ should be right at the head of any CV (as previously stated because it is sometimes the only part of the CV that is read!) and give a good summary of the individual, their skills and attributes.
With a touch of humility (but not too much) it needs to loudly sing your praises and so this is why, although some write it in the first person, I prefer to write it in the third person so your achievements can be acclaimed more objectively.
Get the balance right
Once again the balance of simple fact, commendation, what is really important and what is less so, is really critical. For that reason (and again, because it needs to be well written) it really is better to have this done by a professional Content Writer who is an objective third party.
Ask if you need help
Because of COVID -19 and the massive amount of redundancy it caused, as well as the dire need for more businesses to connect online, both a good LinkedIn profile and an effective CV often need to be created simultaneously. To help with this I always give a really great deal to anyone who needs both and you need only ask to receive some pretty impressive discounts.
I hope this has been helpful – be well and be safe!
