When reaching out to a recruiter or hiring manager on LinkedIn, one of the first questions that comes to mind is whether you should attach your resume to the LinkedIn message. There are pros and cons to both attaching and not attaching your resume, and the best approach often depends on the specific situation.
Here is a quick overview of the main factors to consider when deciding whether to attach your resume to a LinkedIn message:
- If the job listing specifically asks candidates to submit a resume, you should attach it to make the application complete.
- If you have a tailored resume highlighting relevant experience for this role, attaching it can strengthen your message.
- However, if you are sending an initial outreach message, not responding to a specific role, attaching a resume may be premature.
- Your LinkedIn profile already serves as an online resume, so attaching your resume may be redundant if your profile is up-to-date.
- Some recruiters prefer to review LinkedIn profiles first before asking for resumes to streamline the process.
- Resumes sent via LinkedIn cannot be formatted with Applicant Tracking System keywords, while a LinkedIn profile can.
- Attaching files can cause messages to be flagged as spam if the recipient’s settings are strict.
Overall, the best practice is to avoid attaching your resume unless specifically requested in the job description. In your initial message, focus on personalizing your outreach, building rapport, and showcasing your interest in the company and position. Then, wait for the recruiter’s response to determine if and when sending your resume is appropriate next steps.
When you should attach your resume to a LinkedIn message
Here are the main situations when attaching your resume to a LinkedIn message is recommended:
1. When specifically requested in the job posting
If the job listing or application instructions explicitly ask candidates to submit a resume, you should always attach your resume. This ensures you complete all required application materials and don’t overlook an important component that could disqualify you.
Recruiters often post roles seeking resumes directly through LinkedIn. The job description usually ends with “Please send your resume to be considered for this opportunity.” In this case, it is essential to attach your tailored resume that highlights the relevant experience for this opening. Not including a resume may get your message ignored.
2. When you have a tailored resume that matches the position
Even if the job posting doesn’t directly request a resume, if you have taken the time to customize your resume and highlight experience that fits the role, attaching it can enhance your message.
This shows the hiring manager you have the relevant background and skills right upfront. It also signals extra effort on your part to tailor application materials specifically for this company and position. Just make sure your attached resume is up-to-date and free of errors.
3. When applying for a specific posted position
When reaching out about a posted opening rather than a general networking message, attaching your resume helps position you as an interested candidate. It transforms your note from a cold outreach message to a formal job application.
In this case, your resume serves as key application material expected for active job seekers rather than just a networking introduction. Submitting a tailored resume shows the recruiter you are serious about pursuing the opportunity.
When you should NOT attach your resume to a LinkedIn message
Here are the main situations when it may be best to avoid attaching your resume with an initial LinkedIn outreach:
1. When making an introductory networking outreach
If you are sending an initial networking message just introducing yourself or expressing general interest, attaching your resume may come across as presumptuous. The recruiter may see it as aggressive if you haven’t even discussed specific opportunities yet.
For example, if you message a recruiter saying, “I’m interested in learning more about finance roles at your company. I see you went to the same college as me – go tigers! I’d love to connect,” attaching a resume is likely unnecessary at this stage.
2. When your LinkedIn profile already serves as your resume
Since LinkedIn functions as an online resume, some hiring managers prefer to review your profile rather than a separate resume document. Your LinkedIn should already showcase your background, skills, and experiences tailored for each position.
Unless the recruiter specifically asks for your resume, avoid sending extraneous attachments. Let your profile speak for itself as your resume during initial outreach.
3. When applying through an ATS system
Many companies use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to manage recruiting. Resumes uploaded directly to these systems can be scanned for keywords. However, resumes sent via LinkedIn message miss this parsing process.
When applying for a role through a structured ATS rather than LinkedIn, focus your resume formatting on proper keyword optimization. Then if you do message the recruiter separately, you likely don’t need to attach the same resume.
4. When the recipient has restrictive message settings
Some LinkedIn users employ tighter message filters and auto-tagging settings. Too many attachments from someone they’re not already connected with may cause LinkedIn to flag the message as spam.
When reaching out to a new recruiter contact, consider sending just a personal note first. Wait to hear back from them before attaching any files to avoid potentially overbearing attachments.
Tips for attaching your resume on LinkedIn
If you do decide attaching your resume on LinkedIn is right for a particular message, here are some tips to do it effectively:
- Double check that the resume is free of any errors and up-to-date.
- Use a simple, clean resume file name like “FirstName_LastName_Resume.pdf”.
- Attach the resume as a PDF to maintain consistent formatting across platforms.
- Only attach one resume file, don’t overload with multiple documents.
- Mention in your message that you have attached your resume for review.
- Follow up after a few days if you don’t receive a response to your message and resume.
Should you customize your resume for each message?
If you are attaching your resume to a LinkedIn message, it’s best practice to customize and tailor it each time rather than blasting the same generic resume to all recipients.
Take the time to highlight the most relevant experiences, skills, and achievements that align with the specific company or position you are applying for. This level of personalization and effort will serve your candidacy well compared to sending an irrelevant boilerplate resume.
Make sure you are sending the intended resume by double checking before attaching, so you don’t mistakenly send the wrong version.
What’s better: resume attachment or resume text summary?
Rather than attaching your full resume document, another option is to include a resume summary with relevant highlights directly in your LinkedIn message text.
This allows you to pull out and showcase key experiences and accomplishments from your resume most applicable to the recipient. It avoids attachments that may get blocked but still calls out your background.
However, the challenge is keeping the resume summary concise yet compelling within the limited message text space. It’s harder to format neatly as well compared to a polished resume document.
Weigh the pros and cons of each approach carefully based on the individual situation when deciding how best to showcase your resume-worthy experiences. Test different options and track responses to see what resonates most with potential employers.
Key takeaways
Attaching or not attaching your resume with LinkedIn outreach is a judgment call depending on the message goal and recipient preferences. Here are some final key takeaways on optimizing your approach:
- Attach your resume when required in the job description to complete the application.
- A tailored resume strengthens your candidacy when applying for a specific role.
- But avoid attachments on initial networking messages before establishing a connection.
- Lean on your LinkedIn profile as an online resume when possible to avoid redundancy.
- Focus resume formatting for ATS optimization, not LinkedIn attachments.
- Double check for errors and customize your resume before sending.
- Consider a focused resume summary in your message text as an alternative.
Being thoughtful about when and how you attach your resume on LinkedIn will help you make the best impression. Pay attention to the recruiter’s preferences and tailor your approach accordingly.