Best Practices for Resume Building on LinkedIn

With only six to seven seconds to make an impression, you must have an impressive resume that intrigues companies. 

There are plenty of resume templates online, but unfortunately, most of these won't highlight your skills and education. Instead of trying to fit your experience into a premade template, you should explore other options. Breaking down each component in your resume can help you showcase the most important things.

Keep reading to discover tips for resume building on LinkedIn that will help you land interviews!  

Specify Your Intentions 

One of the most vital tips for resume building on LinkedIn is to share your intentions.

Hiring teams understand that each candidate has a unique education and personal life that influences their job. Whether you have children, need to care for your family, or can't work many hours, you must be transparent.

If you can only work part-time, for example, put that in your objective. Not sharing your availability or abilities could waste not only the company's time but yours as well. 

Aside from your availability, you need to specify your career intentions. This will help you find the most suitable company and role that align with your career goals. You don't need to have all the answers in your first draft, but you should be thinking about these details. 

Gain Real-Life Experiences

To get a professional resume, you must fill it with quality content that's true and meaningful to the job. 

You can study abroad, volunteer, or get a temporary job until you find the right position. Gaining experience outside the classroom will help your resume stand out from the competition. Another reason you should gain experience is to add substantial skills you've developed to your CV. 

No job or skill is too small when it relates to the industry you're applying for. Recruiters want to find well-rounded employees that aren't afraid of learning and growth. These experiences will help prepare you for a professional role so that you don't sign up for more than you can handle. 

Compare Your Resume to the Job 

Companies put a lot of thought into job descriptions and if you read them carefully, you can use the info to your advantage. 

Before you upload a resume, look for repeated words in the job description. Highlight or write down key phrases, skills, and personality traits for someone to be successful in the role. Next, review your resume to see how many of the keywords are on both. 

Professional, academic, and technical terms should be found on your resume. 

If you don't use the same verbiage, hiring teams may overlook you. Keywords are especially important when you're applying for a role with a lot of candidates. Make sure you avoid lying, if you don't have the experience they want, you can still apply but should look for other options. 

Get Rid of the Fluff

Since you only have a moment to catch the hiring team's attention, you don't want to waste time with fluff. 

Fluff is used for words and expressions that aren't necessary. Although they may give you a professional appearance, most people know that you have a synonym book nearby. Use direct phrases and words when you summarize the experience and get to the point. 

Useless words can become a distraction, especially if you aren't applying for a writing position. Make sure each sentence and word on your resume serves a purpose and puts you in the best light. 

You can also hold back on previous job duties if they are implied with a position you previously held. If your past work experience doesn't apply to your new role, keep it short and focus on the skills that matter most. 

Incorporate Action Words

Action words tend to hold more weight on resumes and can help you shine. 

You can quickly get your point across when you use the correct action words. Unfortunately, you can also mislead hiring teams if you don't verify that the action word encompasses your experience. 

Placing action words at the beginning of the sentence will help people quickly skim your experience. They can keep reading further as they are drawn to certain phrases. Make sure the action words you use are specific, measurable, and relevant to the role. 

Be Careful with Bullet Lists 

Bullet lists are a dangerous addition to resumes since they give an informal appearance. 

These lists are great for showing your previous duties and relevant experience, however, you need to keep them neat. Avoid using punctuation at the end of sentences and stay consistent with your entire CV. 

When you write your bullet points, try to be specific and only include what's necessary. Start with action words and try to summarize the info without neglecting important details. This is one of the most challenging aspects of writing a strong resume. 

Write with Integrity 

A recent survey showed that around 75% of hiring managers have uncovered lies on resumes.

Adding something to your resume that isn't true could impact your job security if you obtain the role. The other scenario of lying on a resume is that you'll break the trust of the person you want to hire you. Do your best to be transparent and honest.

If you don't have experience with a specific requirement they have, don't put it on your resume. When it gets brought up in an interview, you can share how you're taking steps to learn more about the topic of the process. 

Gaining experience can help you share transferrable skills without fluffing the truth.

Do Something Different

Creating a unique and professional resume will prevent you from getting lost in a sea of candidates. 

Adding headshots, icons, and other quirky details can attract attention, but you can't stop there. Since some view these components as childish, you need to ensure the words and format reflect your work. You can make a statement and show your personality while still highlighting college and other academic success. 

A unique format or font can improve your odds of getting a job, but some risks come with it. Fonts and colors of your text should be easily readable and you don't want them to look unprofessional. Cursive can add a sophisticated look, but stay away from the curly fonts that are messy and difficult to read. 

Boost Your Credibility

Whether you go to college or not, you can boost your credibility in nearly every industry. 

There are around 30 million jobs in the US that don't require a bachelor's degree. This means that you have plenty of diverse roles to choose from once you narrow down your specialization. 

Indeed offers several programs, some of the most popular include cyber security, AI, and Microsoft. These certification programs will show your expertise, even if you didn't get a degree. Many people are saving money using these online resources, rather than signing up for additional courses. 

These programs will teach you the foundations of a specific topic, but they won't replace all qualifications. 

If you feel like your resume is falling short and you won't qualify for a position, these certifications can help you excel. You can also use them to advance your career and explore other job opportunities in the same field. 

Add Your Awards

Awards and achievements are often debated on whether or not they deserve a section on resumes.

Adding your awards, however, is never a bad idea. Letting potential employers know about your achievements shows that you're dedicated to commitment. During interviews, these awards shouldn't be brought up too much though. 

When you mention your awards in your resume or CV, make sure they apply for the position. Some awards can make just as large of an impact as a college education.

Keep this section towards the end of your resume. Many people make the mistake of listing it as the first section, but it doesn't showcase your abilities fast enough. You can reference the awards while talking about education and previous jobs. 

Professionally Display Your Pages 

Freelancers, artists, and influencers use websites and social media to display their work.

If you fall into this category, don't be afraid to showcase all of your hard work. It's becoming more common for people to create a profile section that will direct hiring teams to your content. This is a great way to let potential employers see your work in action and discover your creativity. 

You can place your page section at the top or at the end of your resume. Putting it in the middle could result in it getting overlooked. The top corner of your resume is the best position since it will instantly intrigue employers. 

Listing publications, public speaking events, and research can also boost your chances of getting the job. 

Even if you aren't displaying your work on social media, keep in mind that you need to watch what you post. It's completely legal for employers to view social media pages before hiring candidates. 

Keep Your Resume Consistent

Changing your font, colors, or POV can impact your ability to land a job. 

You must remain consistent throughout your entire resume. Consistency will shorten the time it takes for employers to view your experience and they won't have to read every word, which is unlikely. 

If you use headers, keep the formatting the same, even on your CV. Changing things up can become a distraction and prevent employers from seeing you as an asset. 

It's okay to use two fonts, but beyond that, it isn't recommended. Only use different fonts when it's appropriate. Your margins, punctuation, and indentations are a few things you should prioritize. 

Proofread & Edit Your Work 

Most resumes get dropped during the screening phase, and companies often look at specific components.

Aside from using the right words and having experience in the industry, you need to have excellent grammar. Evevate Honor Society can help you find the best way to proofread and edit your resume to avoid rejection for good.

It may take a few sessions of editing since you don't want to overlook any details. Consulting with a mentor, tutor, or peer can help you spot any careless mistakes. This is also a great time to ensure it has good readability and flow.

Show Your Scholarships & Clubs 

The Elevate Honor Society can help you get your dream job or scholarships for further education. 

What makes our Honor Society so unique is that it's inclusive and offers resources to the students that need it most. Elevate will look beyond your GPA, and this club is designed to help students achieve success each step of the way. 

Whether you're in an Honor Society, academic club, or fraternity, put it on your resume. These clubs, along with certain scholarships, can act as talking points. Even before you get a follow-up response, you'll need to intrigue employers and encourage a discussion. 

Another reason to include these clubs and scholarships on your resume is that they often involve requirements. To maintain their status, you need good grades, attendance, and show promising work. 

Make the Most of Resume Building on LinkedIn

Hiring teams handle recruitment and selection much differently than in the past.

Instead of relying on applications filled out in person, the Internet has streamlined the process. Companies are using LinkedIn to find the best candidates, it's efficient and can display each person's strengths. With so many online profiles, you'll need a resume that makes a statement. 

These tips on resume building on LinkedIn will guide you in the right direction. 

Be sure to look at our resume resources for more help so Honor Society can push you into the perfect position!