Has the role of the traditional CV now diminished given the stellar rise of LinkedIn?
BB: In some circles CVs are less of a focus than they used to be but in most industries the CV is still requested as a first step in the job search process. CVs are put through computer programs to choose candidates for interviews. If you are called for an interview, you can almost bet that the interviewer will have your résumé in hand and grill you on what you have in that document. I believe the CV is an initial test to see if you are able to present yourself well on paper. Truly, writing a great CV is one of the biggest challenges of the job search.
Is it a case of copying and pasting my CV, sprinkling a few keywords to make my profile search friendly?
BB: No. Do not copy and paste items from your CV into LinkedIn and call it a profile. Remember that many people who look at your LinkedIn profile will already have seen your CV or will be viewing it shortly. So expand on the information in your CV rather than repeating it verbatim.
What’s the biggest mistake professionals make with their LinkedIn profiles?
BB: Not taking LinkedIn seriously. As a professional, you need to learn everything you can about this site and maximise its value.
What three things can I do today to build my personal online brand?
BB: Build a personal website, write a blog, and of course, write a KILLER LinkedIn profile! Google loves LinkedIn.
Do I really need 500+connections?
BB: Yes. The way the LinkedIn algorithm works, 500+ connections, in combination with effective keywords, will give you a fair chance of appearing in search results when people look for someone like you on LinkedIn.
If I’m unemployed, should I reveal this in my headline for example?
BB: There is great debate about this question and there is no perfect answer. You may choose simply to describe who you are, using your preferred job title and any important keywords that can help you get found on LinkedIn. Or you can include the phrase “Open to new opportunities”. Some recruiters prefer to know you are looking and others do not. You might try one way and then the other and see what works best for you.
The average age of a LinkedIn user is 41. Is this the platform for graduates or first jobbers?
BB: Some of those 41-year-olds are recruiters and hiring managers. So absolutely! Also some new features on LinkedIn are more specifically geared toward younger job seekers.
You can find out more about Brenda at www.theessayexpert.com and @BrendaBernstein. And of course, you can connect with her on LinkedIn!
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