Static, a term often used when citing the advantages of LinkedIn over a CV. LinkedIn offers an interactive presentation of information which if used correctly, can make a CV look comparatively dull. Your LinkedIn profile can, and if you want to bring out its full potential, should take full advantage of the features available such as having an impressive summary, status updates, glowing recommendations, reading lists with detailed book reviews via the Amazon App and more. This flexibility in the way you present yourself which enables you to add links, presentations and videos is one of the great appeals of LinkedIn which allow it to offer more than a CV alternative. Strong recommendations in particular can be the decisive factor that encourages a recruiter to get in touch with you after having viewed your profile. It should be said that the focus shouldn't only be on receiving recommendations as providing them can also be beneficial; this will show that you have sound judgement as well as increase your online reach. Although it's possible to include links to online content in your CV, and if you have any online content that portrays you in a positive light, these links should definitely be included in your CV anyway, this doesn't stop a CV from being a far cry from the inter-activeness of a LinkedIn profile.
With over 135 million members worldwide, although it remains a matter of debate how many of these members are active users, LinkedIn is undeniably a great way to connect and be found which is why many recruiters use LinkedIn as part of their selection process. As well as being a huge database that allows for advanced searches to quickly find relevant candidates, a LinkedIn profile isn't limited to a page but rather you can tailor it at will and you can also pick out highlights from each job you've had and use SlideShare to upload videos and documents via box.net.However, you can never be sure how recruiters are going to evaluate you, whether it's through a CV or through LinkedIn, or a combination of the two with the CV coming first, LinkedIn second or even vice versa. With that in mind, it's better to just make sure that you've covered all the bases so that your recruiter has less reason to not take your application further. So make sure you have a solid CV as well as a strong LinkedIn profile, and the only way to do that is by taking the time to make sure that those that took the time to find you online, don't feel like they just wasted their time.
Charles, GRB Journalist
