Are employers looking for a polished CV or an engaging and professional LinkedIn profile among candidates?

According to recruitment specialists Hays, you can’t have one without the other if you’re serious about landing that next big job.

“If you register with a recruiter or apply for a job, your CV will be viewed first,” said Managing Director of Hays ANZ, Nick Deligiannis.

“This document gives the recruiter a factual and chronological snapshot of your skills and experience and explains why you are both interested in and suitable for this job specifically.

“It provides the background knowledge a recruiter needs to determine if you have the skills and experience required for a particular role.”

But that’s just the first test.

Next – the LinkedIn inspection.

“Based on the information conveyed in your CV, the recruiter will form an opinion of your fit for the role,” Deligiannis continued.

“In most cases they will then search for you on LinkedIn to learn more and see evidence of your work.”

Your LinkedIn profile – complete with an up-to-date professional photo and a compelling headline – should “bring all of your skills and experience to life”, explains Deligiannis.

Hays’ tips for CVs and LinkedIn

CV

LinkedIn

Streamline skills, education and experience to highlight most relevant information

Up-to-date photo

Tweaking information for the specific role

Compelling headline that reflects your specialties and interests

Identifying desired skills on the job description and ensuring they are incorporated on the CV

Skills and experience section updated with examples of work

With online activity now an increasingly significant part of the hiring process, many recruiters now search for suitable candidates through LinkedIn.

But this doesn’t mean you can disregard your CV according to Deligiannis.

“It is important that you continue to adapt your CV to fit the types of roles you are applying for,” he said. “You can then complement this by creating a strong LinkedIn profile to bring your CV to life.”

LinkedIn is often used by recruiters to verify a CV and make sure everything adds up.

If recruiters are looking to fill a specific role, they may find you on LinkedIn, meaning your profile is their first point of reference.

Candidates can now ensure their CV matches their LinkedIn profile with the assistance of apps like Ceev which designs custom CVs based on information available on LinkedIn.

LinkedIn aside, recruiters are now scouring a range of social media platforms in their initial research of applicants.

One study conducted by US job site SimplyHired found that only 29% of hiring managers look at an applicant’s LinkedIn profile, compared with 38% who look at other forms of social media such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

What's more, 16% admitted to not reading the entire CV of applicants.