Social Profiles have Become as Important as a CV

When seeking a job, having an online profile has become indispensable. Some recruiters even consider it as important as the resume itself. Is this the end of the traditional CV?

“The biggest mistake a candidate can make is to not keep his online profile up to date,” says Michael O’Leary, regional director at Accountemps in Montreal. A recent Accountemps survey found that 21% of recruiters consider that the online profile of a candidate is as important as their CV. According to Michael O’Leary, not having a presence on online platforms such as LinkedIn is a major mistake when seeking a new job. Has an online presence become inherent to the job search, to the point of relegating a CV to the background?

Supplement to the CV

The trend is to a summary CV. According to the Accountemps survey, for candidates for an employee position, 77% of managers prefer a CV of only one page. For management positions, this figure is 58%. “Today, you can’t see the whole story on a CV. In fact, you could say that it’s mostly an appetizer,” Michael O’Leary comments. By consulting the online profile of a potential recruit, the manager can get a better view of his various accomplishments and understand his career.

Highlighting your value

What counts most when finding a job is the candidate’s ability to bring out his experience in various companies. The social profile is then a major asset – there is no space limit and it is possible to add hyperlinks. “You can also discover the personal interests or associations with which the candidate has been involved,” the recruiter points out. In addition, an online profile demonstrates the candidate’s professionalism, so it’s important to look after your professional image on social media. Update your profile regularly to show your proactive side and choose a serious profile picture.

An overall strategy

Michael O’Leary believes a job search is a “job in itself.” It is carried out in three parts: a CV adapted to the needs of the position, an increased electronic presence and follow up with the manager. “Few applicants follow up after the first interview, yet it demonstrates that people are interested in the position,” he believes. A thank you email after the first meeting (only 28% of applicants send this kind of attention, according to the survey), repeated in a few days… these details, which can make all the difference, are often ignored by candidates. However, HR managers don’t like it when candidates are too insistent. 40% of them admitted to having rejected an application because of this kind of behaviour. “You have to find the right balance,” the regional director says.

Could an online profile replace the traditional CV? “No, not at the moment, but it’s really something that is required to have a complete record – recruiters need this platform,” concludes Michael O’Leary.

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