Where your resume goes on LinkedIn

LinkedIn lets you upload a PDF or document file directly to your profile under a section called "Featured." This is different from your work history — the Featured section is a dedicated space where visitors see your full resume file without having to ask for it. Once you upload it, anyone viewing your profile can read it with one click.

The resume appears near the top of your profile, below your headline and photo but above your experience section. This placement means recruiters and hiring managers see it when ready when they land on your page. You can also add a title to explain what the document is — "Resume," "CV," "Portfolio," or anything else that describes the file.

LinkedIn also lets you link to your resume from other places on your profile, like your contact information section, but uploading it to Featured is the most visible method and the one most people use.

Key Takeaways

  • You upload your resume as a PDF or document file to the Featured section of your profile, not by typing it in.
  • The resume appears below your headline and photo, where recruiters see it first when they visit your profile.
  • You can add a title like "Resume" or "CV" to label what the file is, and visitors can read it with one click.
  • Your resume file stays separate from your work history section — both can exist on your profile at the same time.
  • The process takes about two minutes and works on both the LinkedIn website and mobile app.

Steps to upload your resume on the website

Start by signing into LinkedIn on a computer and going to your profile. Click the "Add profile section" button, which appears as a plus sign near the top of your profile, usually below your headline. A menu will pop up with different section options — scroll down and select "Featured."

Once you click Featured, a new window opens asking what you want to add. Choose "Document" from the options shown. Click "Upload document" and select the resume file from your computer. LinkedIn accepts PDF, Word (.doc or .docx), and other common document formats. The file size limit is 100 MB, which is larger than any resume will ever be.

After the file uploads, you will see a preview. Add a title in the text box — "Resume," "CV," or whatever label makes sense for that document. You can also add a description if you want, though most people leave it blank. Click "Save" and the resume now appears in your Featured section.

Steps to upload your resume on the mobile app

Open the LinkedIn app and tap your profile picture at the bottom of the screen to go to your profile. Scroll down until you see the "Featured" section, or if it is not there yet, scroll to the bottom and tap "Add section." Select "Featured" from the list.

Tap the plus icon inside the Featured section. Choose "Document" from the menu. Tap "Upload document" and select your resume file from your phone's storage. Once the upload finishes, add a title like "Resume" and tap "Save."

The mobile app works the same way as the website, but the buttons and menus are arranged for a smaller screen. If you have trouble finding the Featured section, try updating your LinkedIn app first — older versions sometimes have different layouts.

What file format works best

PDF is the safest choice because it looks the same on every device and every computer. When you save your resume as a PDF, the formatting — fonts, spacing, colors, page breaks — stays exactly as you designed it. A recruiter viewing your PDF resume on their phone will see the same layout you see on your computer.

Word documents (.doc and .docx files) also work, but formatting can shift depending on what version of Word the person viewing it has installed, or whether they are using a Mac or Windows computer. If your resume has a specific design with colors or unusual fonts, PDF protects that design better.

Do not upload a Google Doc or a link to a document stored in the cloud. LinkedIn requires an actual file uploaded to its servers, not a link to somewhere else. If you created your resume in Google Docs, read it as a PDF first, then upload that PDF to LinkedIn.

Making sure your resume is straightforward to find

Place your resume in the Featured section at the very top of your profile, not buried in a lower section. When you add it, LinkedIn automatically puts it near the top, so you do not have to move it. Recruiters often spend only a few seconds on each profile, so having your resume visible when ready matters.

Use a clear title. "Resume" or "CV" tells visitors exactly what the file is. Titles like "My Document" or "File" make people guess what they are downloading. If you have multiple documents in Featured — a resume and a portfolio, for example — label each one clearly so visitors know which is which.

Update your resume file whenever you change jobs, add a new skill, or make other major updates to your work history. You do not have to update it every time you edit your LinkedIn work experience section, but if your resume and your profile tell different stories, recruiters will notice. Replace the old file by deleting it and uploading a new version.

Removing or replacing your resume

To remove your resume, go to your profile and find the Featured section. Hover over the resume document and click the three dots that appear in the corner. Select "Remove" and the document disappears from your profile. Your resume file is deleted from LinkedIn, though you still have the original file on your computer.

To replace it with a newer version, you can either remove the old one and upload a new one, or straightforward upload a new document to the Featured section. LinkedIn lets you have multiple documents in Featured, so you can keep both if you want — for example, a resume and a cover letter, or a resume and a portfolio. Just make sure each one has a clear title so visitors know what they are looking at.

If you want to keep your resume private and not show it on your profile, do not add it to Featured. You can always email your resume to recruiters or hiring managers directly instead. LinkedIn does not have a "private resume" option — if it is in Featured, it is visible to anyone who views your profile.

Troubleshooting common problems

If the upload button does not appear, make sure you are signed into LinkedIn and viewing your own profile, not someone else's. You can only add documents to your own profile. Also check that you are using a supported file format — PDF, Word, or other common document types. If you are trying to upload a Pages file (Mac only) or another unusual format, convert it to PDF first.

If the file uploads but looks wrong — text is cut off, images are missing, or the layout is broken — the issue is usually with how the original document was created. Try opening the file on your computer and checking that it looks correct there. If it does, try saving it as a PDF again and uploading the new version. Sometimes a fresh PDF export fixes formatting problems.

If you cannot see the Featured section on your profile at all, scroll down to the bottom of your profile and look for "Add section." Tap or click it and select Featured from the menu. Once you add the section, it stays on your profile even if you do not upload anything to it yet.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can recruiters read my resume without asking permission?

Yes. Once you upload your resume to Featured, anyone can read it by clicking the read button. LinkedIn does not send you a notification when someone downloads it, and you cannot restrict who can read it. If you want to keep your resume private, do not add it to Featured.

Does adding a resume to LinkedIn replace my work history section?

No. Your resume file and your work history are two separate things. You should keep both updated. Your work history section is what appears in search results and recommendations, while your resume is a document visitors can read. Many recruiters look at both.

What if my resume is longer than one page?

LinkedIn accepts multi-page documents, so a two-page or three-page resume works fine. Just make sure it is saved as a single PDF or document file. Recruiters can scroll through or read the whole thing.

Can I upload a cover letter or portfolio instead of a resume?

Yes. The Featured section accepts any document, so you can upload a cover letter, portfolio, case studies, or anything else. Just use a clear title so visitors know what they are downloading. You can also add multiple documents to Featured if you want both a resume and a portfolio visible.

Does LinkedIn store my resume or just link to it?

LinkedIn stores a copy of your resume on its servers. You keep the original file on your computer, but LinkedIn hosts the version that visitors read. If you delete the file from Featured, LinkedIn removes its copy too.