Having your resume downloaded on LinkedIn can be a positive sign, but it does not guarantee that you will get an interview or job offer. There are a few key things to keep in mind when considering LinkedIn resume downloads:
What does it mean when someone downloads your resume on LinkedIn?
When someone downloads your resume on LinkedIn, it means they have viewed your profile and are interested enough in your background to save a copy of your resume. This indicates that they see you as a potential job candidate. However, it does not necessarily mean they will reach out to interview or hire you. They may download resumes from dozens of candidates before deciding who to contact.
Reasons someone may download your resume:
- They are actively hiring for a position you may be a fit for
- They want to save your resume in their database for future job openings
- They are gathering intel on competitors by viewing potential hires
- They accidentally clicked download when trying to view your profile
As you can see from the list above, there are a variety of motivations for downloading your resume. It is usually a sign of interest, but not a guarantee.
How many LinkedIn resume downloads are good?
There is no magic number of resume downloads that guarantees success. Even 1-2 downloads per week can be a positive indication that your profile is getting in front of the right people.
That said, the more downloads you have, the better your chances may be. According to LinkedIn data:
- 20+ downloads per week = Very good
- 10-20 downloads per week = Good
- 5-10 downloads per week = Average
- 1-5 downloads per week = Low
The number of downloads will vary greatly depending on factors like your industry, location, experience level, and how aggressively you are networking and applying to new roles.
Tips to get more LinkedIn resume downloads:
- Optimize your profile with key skills, achievements and keywords
- Engage with your network by liking and commenting on posts
- Join relevant LinkedIn groups and discussions
- Apply to jobs posted on LinkedIn
- Reach out directly to recruiters and hiring managers
- Promote your profile and resume availability in your summary
Does a LinkedIn resume download lead to an interview or job?
There is no direct correlation between the number of LinkedIn resume downloads and job interviews or offers. However, downloads are a metric that indicates interest in your candidacy. Here are some statistics:
- 15% of LinkedIn members who had their resume viewed went on to receive inMail messages from recruiters
- Members who engaged with recruiters on LinkedIn were 3x more likely to get contacted about new opportunities
- Nearly 50% of LinkedIn job views come from current employees of the company, indicating an internal referral could result
While a resume download itself does not guarantee an interview request or job offer, it does suggest you are on recruiters’ radars. You can improve your chances of connecting with prospective employers by proactively following up.
Follow up tips after your resume is downloaded:
- Find out who downloaded your resume and connect with them
- Send a message to say you noticed they downloaded your resume and you are very interested in opportunities
- Offer to provide any additional information about your background
- Suggest a phone call or in-person meeting to discuss current openings
- Thank them for their consideration
- Check their company website for open positions to apply to
Should you pay to promote your LinkedIn profile?
LinkedIn offers several paid services to increase your profile’s visibility and potentially get more resume views and downloads. Here is an overview of what’s available:
LinkedIn Premium Subscriptions:
- Career – $29.99/month
- Lets you see who viewed your profile
- Provides access to advanced filters when searching profiles
- Gives insights about how you rank against other applicants
- Business – $59.99/month
- Includes all Career benefits
- Lets you post job ads and target them to specific members
- Provides analytics about your posts and page visitors
- Lets you send unlimited InMails to recruit members
- Sales – $79.99/month
- Includes all Business benefits
- Shows how you rank vs. other sales reps
- Gives contact information for decision makers
- Lets you contact anyone, even if you’re not connected
- Recruiter – $119.95/month
- Includes all Sales benefits
- Provides advanced search filters and candidate insights
- Lets you manage candidates and share with team members
- Offers integration with applicant tracking systems (ATS)
LinkedIn Job Seeker:
- 1 Month – $39.99
- See who viewed your profile and how you rank
- Get profile recommendations
- See salary insights
- Apply to jobs confidentially
Other Paid Options:
- Open Candidates – Pay per use to message candidates
- LinkedIn Displays Ads – Pay for ads promoting your profile
- Job Postings – Pay per job posting you list
The paid services can definitely boost your visibility and get your profile in front of more recruiters. However, there is no guarantee of results. Evaluate the ROI carefully, factoring in the monthly or per use costs against expected benefits. Many job seekers find the free account plus proactive networking delivers results without the higher costs.
Conclusion
Having your resume downloaded on LinkedIn is a metric that indicates recruiters are interested in your candidacy. However, it does not automatically lead to an interview or job offer. You need to be proactive about following up with prospective employers to increase your chances of connecting. Consider promoting your profile, but don’t depend on the paid services alone to get results. With a complete, optimized profile and consistent networking efforts, you can achieve LinkedIn success without extra costs.
