What is the best format to upload resume to LinkedIn?

Uploading your resume to LinkedIn in the optimal format is key to getting noticed by recruiters and landing job interviews. With over 740 million members, LinkedIn is the world’s largest professional network and a top resource for employers seeking to fill open positions.

When uploading your resume to LinkedIn, you want it to be as accessible and readable as possible for both recruiters and LinkedIn’s algorithm. This means submitting it in the right file type, avoiding errors, and optimizing the content for keywords. Here are some tips on the best format and practices for uploading your resume to LinkedIn.

Use a Standard File Type

LinkedIn supports the uploading of resumes in Microsoft Word (.DOC and .DOCX) and PDF formats. Of these options, PDF is generally considered the best file format to use.

Here are some of the advantages of uploading a PDF resume:

• Maintains consistent formatting – PDFs will retain their font styles, sizes, colors, and general layout on any device or operating system. Word docs may shift in appearance across platforms.
• Provides access to text – Unlike an image file, the text in a PDF can be selected, copied, and searched by recruiters.
• Reduces file size – PDF files are typically smaller than Word docs, especially those with lots of formatting.
• Universal accessibility – PDF is a file format readable by anyone using standard software like Adobe Acrobat Reader.

The main downside to PDFs is that they are not easily editable. However, you want your resume to maintain its original formatting when possible. Overall, submitting your resume as a PDF provides the best balance of accessibility, preserving design, and file size optimization.

Avoid Errors in the File

Before uploading any resume file to LinkedIn, double check that there are no errors in the document. Here are some common resume errors to look out for:

• Typos or grammatical mistakes
• Phone numbers or email addresses cut off
• Hyperlinks that don’t work
• Unreadable font styles or sizes
• Inconsistent date formats
• “Placeholder” text not updated

Catching these types of errors ahead of time ensures your resume looks polished and professional for recruiters viewing it. Consider asking a friend to review your resume file as well before uploading.

Optimize the Content for Keywords

Like Google, LinkedIn uses algorithms to index profiles and resumes uploaded to its platform. Including relevant keywords related to your experience, skills, and career goals can help surface your resume in more LinkedIn searches.

Here are some tips for optimizing your resume content:

• Incorporate keywords from the job postings that interest you, especially those listed as “required” or “desired” qualifications.
• Add any applicable industry-specific terminology related to your field.
• Include both acronyms and the spelled-out versions of keywords (e.g. ERP and Enterprise Resource Planning).
• Use your most up-to-date job titles and employers.
• Include all relevant skills, certifications, technologies, and capabilities.

Optimizing for keywords is most critical in your LinkedIn profile summary and the experience descriptions under each position. This content will provide the basis for search indexing of your profile and resume.

Review How the Resume Renders

Once you’ve uploaded your resume file to LinkedIn, be sure to preview how it renders on your profile. Look at both the desktop and mobile app views.

Ideally, your resume should:

• Appear clearly legible in both interfaces
• Maintain its original formatting and design
• Display properly on screens of varying sizes
• Be easy to scroll through and read

If the resume appears squished, blurry, or runs off the edge of the window, you may want to modify the file and try uploading again. The preview allows you to catch any display issues.

Update Frequently

Don’t just upload your resume to LinkedIn and forget it. To keep your profile fresh, make sure you update your resume file on LinkedIn whenever you update the main version. This ensures all of your new experience and skills are visible to recruiters.

Aim to update your LinkedIn resume every 1-2 months if actively job searching. Or at minimum, update it whenever you start a new position or complete a major project or achievement. Keeping it current is key.

In addition, customize or tailor your resume before uploading whenever you apply for specific job openings. Add in any keywords or requirements from the job description that may be missing.

Checklist for Uploading to LinkedIn

Here is a checklist summarizing the steps to follow when uploading your resume to LinkedIn:

1. Convert your resume to a PDF file.
2. Review carefully for any errors or typos.
3. Optimize content with relevant keywords.
4. Preview rendering on desktop and mobile.
5. Update frequently as you add experience and skills.
6. Customize each version for specific job applications.

Tools for Converting Resumes to PDF

If your resume is in a Word doc format, you’ll need to convert it to PDF before uploading to LinkedIn. Here are some handy tools for converting to PDF:

Adobe Acrobat Pro provides the most features and control for creating professional PDF resumes. But the free options like Microsoft Print to PDF or Chrome PrimoPDF work fine for basic file conversion needs.

Alternative File Formats to Avoid

While PDF is the optimal resume file format for LinkedIn, there are some other types you should avoid using. Here are file formats not recommended for uploading your resume:

• Microsoft Word DOC/DOCX – Can alter formatting across platforms. Higher file size.
• Image Files (JPG, PNG, GIF) – Cannot be searched or accessed by screen readers.
• Text Files (TXT, RTF) – Lose all formatting of resume design.
• Web Pages (HTML, ASPX) – Render poorly and lose design.

Stick to PDF whenever possible to avoid issues with how your resume displays on LinkedIn. The exception is if a recruiter specifically requests your resume in a Word doc format.

Conclusion

Following best practices for file format, errors, keywords, and updates will ensure your resume is optimized for LinkedIn. Focus on creating a PDF version that maintains your original resume design and content. Check for errors, customize with keywords, and update frequently as you add more experience or apply for new roles. With an optimized resume, you can maximize your job search effectiveness using the power of the LinkedIn platform.