Including a link to your LinkedIn profile on your resume is a common practice that can provide additional value to employers. Your LinkedIn profile offers a more comprehensive view of your background than a standard resume, and enables recruiters and hiring managers to further evaluate your qualifications and fit.
Here are some key considerations when deciding whether to put your LinkedIn profile link on your resume:
The Pros of Including a LinkedIn Profile on Your Resume
There are several potential benefits of putting your LinkedIn profile URL on your resume:
- It gives employers additional information that may not fit on your resume, such as:
- More detailed work history and descriptions of your roles and responsibilities
- Skills and endorsements from colleagues
- Recommendations from previous managers or coworkers
- Honors and awards
- Certifications and licenses
- Groups and associations you belong to
- Projects, publications, and other work samples
- It allows employers to verify information on your resume and see your connections
- It demonstrates your technology and social media skills
- It shows you have an active online professional presence
- It gives employers a way to learn more about you before an interview
Essentially, including your LinkedIn profile URL enables employers to conduct some pre-screening and due diligence, giving them greater confidence that you have the qualifications and background claimed on your resume.
Potential Downsides of Putting LinkedIn Profile on Resume
However, there are some potential downsides to consider as well:
- Information overload – Employers may feel overwhelmed by too much content
- Time commitment – Employers may not take time to thoroughly review profile
- Unprofessional content – Photos, interests, groups, etc. may seem inappropriate
- Outdated information – If not maintained, profile may conflict with resume
- First impressions – A poorly optimized profile may undermine resume
To mitigate these risks, thoroughly review and optimize your LinkedIn presence before adding it to your resume. Ensure it aligns with and supports all key details on your resume.
Tips for Including Your LinkedIn Profile on a Resume
Here are some best practices for adding your LinkedIn URL to resumes:
- Customize your profile URL – Use a customized public profile URL instead of the long default URL
- Place it strategically – Put it in the contact section, below your email and phone number
- Hyperlink the text – Make the profile text clickable, not just the raw URL
- Keep it professional – Use the name you go by professionally, not your login name
- Check settings and content – Ensure your profile and settings convey professionalism
- Update it regularly – Keep your profile current and consistent with your resume
- Remove upon request – Be prepared to omit it if an employer prefers resumes without links
Should You Include Your LinkedIn Profile URL on Your Resume?
Here is a helpful checklist to guide your decision of whether to add your LinkedIn profile to your resume:
| Factor | Guidance |
|---|---|
| Job relevance | Include for roles where LinkedIn is commonly used |
| Industry norms | Add if it aligns with conventions in your field |
| Profile optimization | Only include if profile is professional and current |
| Resume real estate | Omit if resume is already dense; focus on core content |
| Employer preferences | Follow any guidelines provided by the company |
In general, including your LinkedIn profile URL is recommended for most candidates and situations. However, it should not be automatically included out of obligation. Carefully evaluate whether it makes strategic sense for each resume you submit.
Conclusion
Adding a link to your LinkedIn profile on your resume can provide employers with valuable supplementary information and showcase your professional digital presence. However, to maximize the benefits of including your profile, you need to strategically optimize your LinkedIn presence, profile settings, and resume link practices.
With careful attention and the right approach, integrating your LinkedIn profile on your resume can strengthen your candidacy and give employers greater confidence in your qualifications.
But if not executed properly, it risks confusing employers and even undermining your resume. Evaluate each application and employer carefully to determine if including your LinkedIn URL makes the most strategic sense.
Your LinkedIn profile and resume must work together to present a consistent, compelling snapshot of your professional capabilities and career progression.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I put my LinkedIn URL at the top or bottom of my resume?
Most experts recommend putting your LinkedIn profile link in the contact section at the bottom of your resume, along with information like your email address and phone number. This positioning downplays the URL so it doesn’t distract from your core resume content.
What’s the best way to display a LinkedIn profile link on a resume?
Make the LinkedIn text clickable, not just the raw URL. For example: LinkedIn Profile – www.linkedin.com/in/yourname. Format it to match the font and size of surrounding text.
Can I just put my LinkedIn profile URL without my name?
It’s best to include your name, not just the raw URL, so it’s obvious what the link is. For example: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/YourName
Do employers really look at LinkedIn profiles provided on resumes?
Many employers do take the time to review LinkedIn profiles, as they provide valuable supplementary information. However, some employers may not, especially if they are overwhelmed with applications. So always optimize your resume first.
Is it OK to use the default LinkedIn profile URL on my resume?
No, it’s better to customize your public profile URL on LinkedIn to use your name. The long, complex default URL looks messy. Custom URLs are more professional.
Can I just hyperlink my name on my resume to my LinkedIn profile?
Hyperlinking just your name is not recommended, as this relationship to LinkedIn is not obvious to the employer. It’s clearer to visibly identify it as your LinkedIn profile URL.
What if my LinkedIn profile and resume content don’t exactly match?
It’s important to align key details like job titles, employers, dates, etc. Identify any discrepancies and update your profiles and resume so they are consistent.
Is it OK to link to my LinkedIn profile if I’m currently unemployed?
Yes, your LinkedIn profile can still add value even if you aren’t currently employed. Key is to optimize your profile to focus on skills, accomplishments, and non-employment highlights.
What if I don’t have many connections or recommendations on LinkedIn yet?
Don’t let a lack of LinkedIn connections deter you from including it on your resume. Just focus on putting your best professional footprint forward on your profile despite fewer connections.
Key Takeaways
- Linking to your LinkedIn can provide employers with valuable additional background
- Carefully evaluate if including it makes strategic sense for each application
- Thoroughly optimize your profile before adding the URL to your resume
- Include your name and a customized public profile link in the contact section
- Keep your profile and resume information consistent at all times
