Leveraging LinkedIn to Complement Your Executive Resume

LinkedIn® has become an indispensable tool for professionals, particularly for executives looking to enhance their career opportunities. Here’s how to effectively leverage LinkedIn® to complement your executive resume and make a strong impression on potential employers, recruiters and Executive Search professionals like us, Morton Philips.

Your LinkedIn® profile should serve as an extension of your resume, providing a more comprehensive view of your professional experience and achievements. Begin by ensuring your profile is complete and up-to-date. Use a professional photo and create a compelling headline that summarises your expertise and value. Your summary section should highlight your key accomplishments, skills and aspirations, mirroring the executive summary on your resume but with a bit more personal flair. Your LinkedIn® profile should not be a copy of your CV. Always finish off your summary section with a 'call to action', invite the viewer to connect with you.

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One of LinkedIn®’s unique advantages is the ability to showcase recommendations and endorsements from colleagues, clients and other professionals. These testimonials add credibility to your claims and provide social proof of your capabilities. Encourage your connections to endorse your skills and write recommendations that emphasise your strengths and achievements.

Networking is at the heart of LinkedIn®’s value. Connect with industry peers, thought leaders and potential employers. Follow pages of businesses you are familiar with or those you dream to work for. Engage with their content by liking, commenting and sharing posts. Participate in LinkedIn® discussions to increase your visibility and establish yourself as an expert in your field.

LinkedIn® also allows you to feature work samples, articles and presentations. Use this feature to highlight significant projects and achievements that may not fit into your resume. These additional materials provide a richer narrative of your professional journey and capabilities.

Director Research at Morton Philips, Rachel Farrell uses LinkedIn® extensively to approach passive candidates who appearing to meet our client's needs for roles. This is a major tool in our global Executive Search activity. If you receive an approach via LinkedIn® from a recruiter it is a strong indication that your profile is working for you. Try to be timely and professional in your response to recruiters to state your interest or to refer someone you know who may be suitable.

Regularly update your LinkedIn® profile to reflect new achievements, certifications and skills. An active and well-maintained profile signals to recruiters that you are engaged and current in your field. By strategically leveraging LinkedIn® alongside your executive resume, you can create a powerful online presence that enhances your professional brand and attracts new career opportunities.

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