Where to upload your resume on LinkedIn

LinkedIn lets you upload a PDF or Word document directly to your profile so recruiters and hiring managers can read it without asking. The resume section sits in your profile under your headline and summary, visible to anyone who views your full profile. You upload it once, and it stays there until you replace it with a newer version.

To add your resume, go to your profile page, scroll down to the "Featured" section, and click the plus icon. Select "Document" from the menu, then choose "Upload resume." Pick your file from your computer — LinkedIn accepts PDF, DOC, and DOCX formats up to 5 MB. Once uploaded, it appears as a downloadable file on your profile.

Your resume is visible to everyone who can see your profile, unless you change your privacy settings. If your profile is public, anyone on LinkedIn can view and read your resume. If you limit visibility to connections only, only people you've connected with can see it.

Key Takeaways

  • You upload your resume through the Featured section of your profile by clicking the plus icon and selecting Document.
  • LinkedIn accepts PDF, Word documents, and files up to 5 MB in size.
  • Your resume is visible to anyone who can view your profile, so check your privacy settings if you want to limit who sees it.
  • You can replace your resume at any time by uploading a new file, and the old one disappears automatically.
  • Recruiters often search for and read resumes directly from profiles, so keeping yours current increases the chance they'll find you.

Why recruiters look for resumes on LinkedIn

Recruiters use LinkedIn to find candidates and often read resumes from profiles to add to their tracking systems or pass along to hiring managers. Having a resume on your profile saves them a step — they don't have to email you asking for one, and they can review it when ready while your profile is open in front of them.

A resume on your profile also signals that you're actively looking or open to opportunities. It tells recruiters you've taken time to prepare materials, which suggests you're serious about your job search. Many recruiters filter for profiles with resumes attached when they're filling positions quickly.

Making sure your resume matches your profile

Your LinkedIn profile and your resume should tell the same story about your work history, but they don't have to be identical. Your profile can be longer and more conversational — you can include volunteer work, certifications, or skills that don't fit on a one-page resume. Your resume should be more concise and focused on the jobs you're explore for.

Check that the dates, job titles, and company names match exactly between your resume and your profile. Recruiters notice when these don't line up, and inconsistencies can raise questions about accuracy. If you've held the same job for five years on your resume but your LinkedIn profile says three, that's a red flag.

Update your resume before you upload it to LinkedIn. If you add a new job to your profile, update your resume file on your computer, then re-upload it to LinkedIn. Don't let them drift apart over time.

Controlling who downloads your resume

LinkedIn doesn't notify you when someone downloads your resume, so you won't know which recruiters have taken it. You can see who's viewed your profile if you have a paid account, but downloads happen silently in the background.

If you want to limit who can access your resume, adjust your profile visibility settings. Go to Settings and Privacy, then select "Who can see your profile." Choose "Connections only" if you want only people you've connected with to see your resume. Choose "Public" if you want anyone on LinkedIn to find it. Keep in mind that making your profile private also limits recruiters' ability to find you through LinkedIn search.

You can also remove your resume from your profile at any time by clicking the three dots on the document and selecting "Delete." This doesn't affect your profile itself — it just removes the downloadable file.

Updating your resume without losing views

When you upload a new resume to replace an old one, LinkedIn replaces the file when ready. Your profile doesn't show version history, so viewers won't see that you've updated it. This is useful if you've made small changes like fixing a typo or updating a date.

If you want to keep track of which version you uploaded, add a date to the filename before you upload it — for example, "Resume_January2025.pdf." This way you'll know which version is currently on your profile when you look back at your computer files.

There's no limit to how many times you can replace your resume, so update it whenever you make meaningful changes to your work history, skills, or accomplishments. Recruiters see the current version, not the history, so you can refresh it as often as you need.

What happens to your resume information

When you upload a resume to LinkedIn, the file itself is stored on LinkedIn's servers. LinkedIn can see the content of your resume — the text, dates, and job titles — because they need to be able to display it and let people read it. This information is part of your LinkedIn account data.

LinkedIn's privacy policy states that they use profile information, including documents you upload, to show you relevant job recommendations and to help recruiters find you. They don't sell your resume to third parties, but they do use it to improve their matching and recommendation systems.

If you delete your LinkedIn account, your resume is deleted along with it. If you just remove the resume from your profile, the file is deleted but your account remains active. There's no way to retrieve a deleted resume, so save a copy on your computer before you remove it from LinkedIn.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I upload multiple resumes to LinkedIn?

No, LinkedIn allows only one resume per profile. You can replace it with a new version, but you can't have two resumes visible at the same time. If you want to keep different versions for different types of jobs, save them on your computer and upload whichever one is most relevant when you're actively job searching.

What file format works best for LinkedIn?

PDF is the safest choice because it preserves your formatting exactly as you created it. Word documents (DOC and DOCX) also work, but LinkedIn may display them slightly differently depending on the fonts and formatting you used. Avoid unusual fonts or complex layouts that might not display correctly when someone downloads your file.

Do recruiters see my resume automatically when they view my profile?

Your resume appears in the Featured section of your profile, so recruiters see it when they scroll through your profile. They don't have to search for it or ask you for it — it's right there. They can read it by clicking on the document.

Should I remove my resume if I'm not job searching?

You can leave it on your profile even if you're not actively looking. Many people keep a resume on their LinkedIn profile at all times in case a recruiter reaches out. If you prefer not to signal that you're open to opportunities, you can remove it and add it back later when you start searching.

What if my resume is longer than one page?

LinkedIn accepts multi-page resumes with no problem. There's no length limit on the file itself, only the 5 MB file size limit. A two-page resume is common and acceptable — recruiters are used to reading them.