When you Google your name, is LinkedIn among first links that appear? If not, then you absolutely must consider creating your professional image using LinkedIn ­- a powerful tool for getting hired today.

Compare a having both a resume and LinkedIn profile to a winning partnership, where both sides are in harmony with each other. Each part is integral, playing an important role, just like in a good marriage. But today the significance of LinkedIn is more prevailing.

When LinkedIn kicked in, many people neglected its significance sticking, to traditional resume sending. Yet for the past five years, LinkedIn has become more and more valued, especially by successful employers. So today a LinkedIn profile is way more effective than your resume. Here are some valid reasons why:

You get your own custom URL

LinkedIn has the function of adjusting your personal URL address, which I think is a very good option. You can be found faster, which accomplishes more effective employment search.

LinkedIn shares more information

There is so much information that you cannot put in a professional resume, but you feel the need to share it. This includes your marital status, some experiences that shaped you as a professional, like working at summer camp. Generally, you don’t want to overwhelm your potential employer with information on your resume, while your LinkedIn page can contain all your previous job experiences.

You can post a quality picture on your profile

Wish to boost the view rank of your profile by ten? Post a professional photo to create a professional image. In the long run, this will definitely earn you a lot more than you spent on a professional headshot. You’ll see how millions of recruiters jump in line to offer you an interview.

You can go informal on LinkedIn

While on a traditional resume you need to stick to formal rules of formatting and style, your LinkedIn page can sound slightly less formal and be more eye-catching. As such, you can let your personality shine, while on a resume you are restricted to just describing your professional and educational background.

Self-advertising through headlines

Why is LinkedIn more effective than a resume? It creates and fuels your own brand. So use the headings on your LinkedIn profile to target the section you wish to get employment in. In fact, this should be a compelling and self-advertising title. For example, if you want to work in IT, your title can be: Highly Accomplished and Experienced IT Specialist. By writing such titles, you hit the target audience and emphasize your core values.

While your resume opens doors to interview invitations, a LinkedIn profile creates connections and develops your own brand name. Feel free to use these tips to improve your profile.

About the Author: Ann Aldrich is a professional career advisor. She works mainly with graduates and postgraduates giving expert career advice. Being an MBA, Ann is currently enrolled as a freelance writer at the student help service where she provides guidance with business-related academic writing at essaygobuy.com.