A Two Page Resume? Really? Print Out Your Linkedin Profile. Can You Count to Ten?

How long is long? Is the perception of length different in a print document vs an online page? What is the big deal about a one or two page resume when your Linkedin profile, if printed, can run upwards of five pages?

Why are you still worried about having a short, tight, brief, truncated, abbreviated resume to not tax the time and mental agility of a recruiter?

They, meaning search firms, contract recruiters, hiring managers and HR dedicate considerable time and energy to comb and cull through LInkedin profiles looking for the perfect candidate. In fact they pay $8000+ for a seat license to so do.

They read through the recommendations, the summary, each job description, skills lists, projects, honors/awards, interests, education, group membership, certifications, languages,  lists of connections, and, of course, the updates.

Why is there still such archaic rules around resumes? Resumes are held to different standards than an online social profile because the hiring powers, especially the search firms, still see a resume as a page or pages printed on paper.

They have this unique twist of mind that can rationalize the fact that a resume lives entirely a digital life except for a brief appearance on paper during the interview. They still see a resume's online state as temporary because they do print it out when they bring in a candidate. It is this historical, traditional, head-in-sand viewpoint.

It is pretty ridiculous to say a resume has to be short since people are being hired every day on the basis of their very long and detailed Linkedin profiles that are referred to and viewed on a tablet or laptop screen during the interview. Ironically, your resume is stored in the clouds or on a server database for further reference, key word searches, and archive records. Its life in print is very temporary indeed.

What do you do? Make your Linkedin profile as robust and informed as possible? Maybe with great care as it is very public given the networking nature of Linkedin. It matters that you fill out most categories fully and with captivating information. But, that information should be designed to elicit further contact with you, not as data to screen you out. 

The important idea to keep in mind is that both your resume and Linkedin profile exist for one purpose to attract positive attention that results in you being contacted for an opportunity that would be of interest to you. They both, to that end, should be as long as it takes.

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