“If opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door.”
– Milton Berle
As we continue to feel the effects of the pandemic into 2021, the ripple effect from the first series of lockdowns has forced change on some people while shifting priorities for others. With the ‘second wave’ playing out around the world more people are having to look at the impact the pandemic is having on their careers, and industries.
For those that have decided to seek out new opportunities, now is the chance to update your resume and cover letter, rethink your LinkedIn profile and start networking in a way that opens new doors.
Updating your resume and optimizing your LinkedIn profile to meet the platform’s best practices doesn’t need to be difficult or time-consuming, here’s where to start.
Resumes & Cover Letters
It’s not always the candidate with the best qualifications or work experience that lands the role. It’s the person who marketed themselves the best. When revamping your resume keep the following in mind.
Your resume is a chance for you to showcase your personal brand. Including a summary or branding statement helps create a focused message that aligns with your ‘brand’, showcases your unique value, and helps differentiate you from other candidates.
Keep your resume relevant. Industries and processes change over time, consider removing old or irrelevant work experience that doesn’t align with your future goals or desired career.
Include your custom LinkedIn URL. Why? LinkedIn is part of your overall professional presence and for many industry professionals, the most important social media platform for networking and job searches.
The visual design of your resume and cover letter should reflect your personal brand as well as your target industry. Colour and layout play an important role in how employers perceive you. Creating a unique visual resume will help your resume stand out while still being you.
You want your resume to tell your story. This is your opportunity to explain why you are so valuable in a way that grabs the reader’s attention, making you more memorable. Use storytelling techniques throughout your resume to highlight your biggest accomplishments. The goal is to create a connection with the reader so they want to learn more about you.
LinkedIn Profile
LinkedIn is the social media platform of choice for industry professionals, recruiters, and businesses looking for talent. Optimizing your profile can help you leverage the networking potential of LinkedIn and improve your job search. Make sure you’re ticking the following LinkedIn best practices boxes.
Make sure you have an up to date and professional profile photo. It creates a positive first impression of your profile. Include a cover image that’s both eye-catching and reflects your personal brand.
Customize your LinkedIn URL, www.linkedin.com/in/yournamehere. This allows you to use it across different platforms to market yourself.
Make sure all your relevant contact information has been filled out. People won’t contact you if they can’t easily do so.
Put some thought into your headline. Avoid just putting your job title down. Use your headline to help make a positive impression and explain what exactly it is you do and offer. It’s also a chance for you to include keywords that help your profile appear in LinkedIn searches.
Use the about section of your profile to share your story. Remember to write in the first person. Adding skills to your profile also shows recruiters what your core competencies are, make sure to highlight your strongest skillsets.
When adding your experience, don’t just copy in what it says on your resume. While your resume is more concise and targeted to the position you want. Your LinkedIn profile can and should include a more complete picture of your overall work experience.
Take time to add in your accomplishments. This is where you can add noteworthy information about yourself outside of your employment history.
Need a helping hand putting it all together? Check out our design and copywriting programs for resume and LinkedIn upgrading at www.brieffin.com/personal-brand/.
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