LinkedIn is the world’s largest professional network with over 660 million users worldwide. It is an incredibly powerful tool for networking, building your professional brand, finding jobs, connecting with business partners, and more. One of the key features of LinkedIn is the ability to post your resume and keep it updated. Your LinkedIn profile serves as an online resume that recruiters and hiring managers can view. Having an updated resume on LinkedIn is essential for any job seeker. In this article, we’ll walk through exactly how to add and update your resume on LinkedIn.
Why You Should Have Your Resume on LinkedIn
Here are some of the top reasons it’s important to have your resume on LinkedIn:
- Increases your chances of being found by recruiters – Over 90% of recruiters use LinkedIn to source and vet candidates. Having your resume on your profile makes you more discoverable.
- Shows you’re tech-savvy – By having an online resume, you demonstrate proficiency with an essential professional networking tool.
- Proves you’re active in your job search – Recruiters can see you’re taking steps to find new opportunities.
- Allows you to customize profile for each application – You can tweak your LinkedIn profile to match key words in job descriptions.
- Displays your professional brand – Your LinkedIn profile and resume let hiring managers see your background and skills.
- Gives you an online portfolio – You can showcase work samples, certifications, honors and awards.
- Shows your connections – Recruiters like seeing who you’re connected with and who has endorsed you.
In short, having your resume on LinkedIn provides huge exposure and demonstrates your professionalism and job search activity.
How to Add Your Resume to LinkedIn
Adding your resume to LinkedIn is a simple process:
- Click on the “Me” icon at the top of your LinkedIn homepage.
- Next, click on “View profile.”
- Scroll down and click on the “Add profile section” dropdown button.
- Select “Resume” from the dropdown options.
- Click the “Media” icon to upload a file from your computer. Supported file types include PDF, DOC, TXT, RTF.
- Choose the resume file you want to upload and click “Save.”
- You will now see your resume listed under the “Featured” section of your profile.
The process only takes a minute or two. Having your resume on your LinkedIn profile is absolutely vital for any job seeker.
How to Edit or Update Your Resume
Over time you’ll want to update your LinkedIn resume to reflect new jobs, skills, accomplishments, and more. Here is how to edit your resume:
- Go to your profile and click “Edit profile” at the top.
- Scroll down and click the “Featured” section, then click the pencil icon next to your resume.
- This will open an editing window – delete your old resume and use the media icon to upload your new document.
- Be sure the file name is clear so you know it is the most recent version.
- Finish by clicking “Save.”
Your LinkedIn resume will now be updated. It’s a good idea to update your resume every few months as you gain new skills and experience.
Tips for an Effective LinkedIn Resume
Follow these tips to optimize your resume on LinkedIn:
- Use a professional summary – Summarize your career experience and skills in 2-3 sentences at the top of your profile.
- Leverage keywords – Research keywords from LinkedIn job postings and incorporate them into your profile.
- Highlight relevant skills – Make sure your top skills, credentials, and achievements are easy to find.
- Include numbers and metrics – Quantify your accomplishments like “Increased sales by 30%.”
- Tailor resume to each application – Customize your profile for each job you apply to.
- Optimize with LinkedIn profile checklist – Use LinkedIn’s checklist to improve your profile.
- Join groups and follow companies – Become part of industry communities relevant to your goals.
- Engage with other members – Comment on posts and share content to build connections.
Following these tips will make your LinkedIn resume more compelling and effective.
Customizing Your Resume for Each Job
One highly effective strategy is to customize your LinkedIn profile for each job you apply to. Here’s how:
- Research the job description – Take note of key requirements and responsibilities.
- Identify relevant skills and experience from your background that matches the role.
- Make adjustments to your profile like adding new keywords or swapping out projects to tailor it to that job.
- You can save profile versions to easily swap between tailored profiles.
- Be sure to update your professional summary statement to match the targeted role.
Taking these steps allows you to align your resume with each opportunity for the best chance of getting noticed and advancing your candidacy.
Do’s and Don’ts
Here are some final do’s and don’ts for your LinkedIn resume:
Do:
- Use a professional photo
- Include numbers, data, and metrics
- Have a compelling, keyword-rich headline
- Showcase certifications and awards
- Provide examples of work projects and outcomes
Don’t:
- Use an inappropriate, casual photo
- Have typos or grammatical errors
- Use industry jargon or acronyms
- Leave employment gaps unexplained
- Use pronouns like “I” or lists of job duties
Stick to these guidelines and your LinkedIn resume will impress hiring managers and boost your chances of landing interviews.
Conclusion
Posting your resume on LinkedIn is one of the best things you can do as part of an effective job search. It increases your visibility, demonstrates your professional marketing skills, and complements your other networking efforts. Keep your resume updated on a regular basis. Customize it for each job opportunity. And leverage LinkedIn’s tools to build connections in your industry. By following the strategies outlined, your LinkedIn resume will pay dividends in attracting exciting new career opportunities.