The fastest way to add a resume to LinkedIn

LinkedIn lets you upload a PDF or image of your resume directly to your profile. The file appears in a dedicated section that recruiters and hiring managers can view alongside your work history. You can upload it in about two minutes from your profile settings.

Go to your profile, select the pencil icon next to your headline, scroll down to the "Featured" section, and click the plus sign. Choose "Document" and select your resume file from your computer. LinkedIn accepts PDF, Word, JPG, and PNG files up to 100 MB. Once uploaded, the document appears publicly on your profile unless you change the privacy setting to "Only you".

Key Takeaways

  • You upload a resume file through your profile's Featured section, and it displays as a viewable document that recruiters can access.
  • LinkedIn accepts PDF, Word, JPG, and PNG files, and the upload takes about two minutes from start to finish.
  • Your resume is visible to everyone by default, but you can restrict it to only yourself or specific connections if you prefer.
  • Uploading a resume does not replace filling out your work history and skills sections — recruiters look at both.

Where the resume appears on your profile

The resume you upload shows up in the "Featured" section of your profile, which sits near the top after your headline and photo. This section is designed to showcase documents, articles, media, and other materials that represent your work. When someone visits your profile, they see a thumbnail of your resume and can click it to view the full document.

The Featured section is separate from your work experience timeline. Your job titles, dates, and descriptions still live in the "Experience" section below. Having both — a resume document and a filled-out experience section — gives recruiters two ways to review your background. Some prefer the resume format; others scan the structured timeline on your profile.

Step-by-step: uploading your resume

Open LinkedIn and go to your profile by clicking your photo in the top right corner and selecting "View profile." On your profile page, look for the pencil icon next to your headline at the top. Click it to enter edit mode.

Scroll down until you see the "Featured" section. If you do not see it, click the plus icon in the top right of your profile to add a new section and select "Featured." Once the Featured section is visible, click the plus sign inside it. A menu appears with options including "Document." Click "Document," then select "Upload from computer." Find your resume file and open it. LinkedIn processes the upload and displays it in your Featured section within seconds.

File types and size limits

LinkedIn accepts resumes in these formats: PDF, Microsoft Word (.docx), JPG, and PNG. PDF is the safest choice because it preserves your formatting across all devices and does not require the viewer to have Word installed. If you have a Word file, you can upload it directly or convert it to PDF first using your operating system's print-to-PDF feature.

The file size limit is 100 MB, which is large enough for any standard resume. A typical one-page resume as a PDF is usually under 1 MB. If your file is larger than 100 MB, compress it by opening it in your PDF reader and using the "reduce file size" or "compress" option, or convert it to an image format and re-upload.

Controlling who sees your resume

By default, your resume is visible to anyone who visits your profile. If you want to restrict access, click the three dots next to your resume in the Featured section and select "Edit." A dropdown menu labeled "Visible to" appears with three options: "Public," "Logged-in members," and "Only you."

Choose "Public" if you want recruiters and anyone else to see it. Choose "Logged-in members" if you want only people with LinkedIn accounts to view it. Choose "Only you" if you want to keep it private and not display it on your profile at all. You can change this setting anytime by clicking the three dots again.

Updating or replacing your resume

To replace your resume with a newer version, click the three dots next to the document in your Featured section and select "Edit." Click "Change document" and select your new file. LinkedIn replaces the old version immediately. You do not need to delete the old one first.

If you want to remove your resume entirely, click the three dots and select "Delete." This removes it from your Featured section but does not affect your work history or other profile information. You can upload a new resume anytime by following the original upload steps.

Why your resume alone is not enough

Uploading a resume is useful, but recruiters also read your LinkedIn work history, skills section, and recommendations. A resume gives them a snapshot; your profile gives them the full picture. Fill out your Experience section with job titles, companies, dates, and descriptions of what you did. Add skills that match the jobs you are targeting. Ask former colleagues or managers to write recommendations.

Some recruiters search LinkedIn by keyword and never look at uploaded documents — they scan the text fields in your profile instead. Others download resumes from your Featured section and ignore your profile details. Having both complete means you reach both types of recruiters.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I upload multiple resumes for different jobs?

LinkedIn's Featured section lets you upload multiple documents, so you can add more than one resume if you have versions tailored to different industries or roles. Click the plus sign in the Featured section again and upload a second file. Label each one clearly in the document itself so viewers know which is which.

Does uploading a resume hurt my profile if it is outdated?

An outdated resume can confuse recruiters if it contradicts your profile work history. Before uploading, make sure the dates and job titles match what is listed in your Experience section. If your resume is old, update it before uploading, or remove it and rely on your profile details instead.

What if I do not have a resume file on my computer?

You can create one using Google Docs, Microsoft Word, or free tools like Canva. Write your job history, education, and skills into a document, save it as a PDF, and then upload it to LinkedIn. Your LinkedIn profile itself can serve as a resume if you fill out all sections completely — some recruiters view your profile as your resume.

Can recruiters download my resume from LinkedIn?

Yes. When you upload a document to your Featured section, recruiters can view it and download it. If you want to prevent downloads, keep your resume private by setting visibility to "Only you," though this also hides it from recruiters browsing your profile.

Does LinkedIn have a built-in resume builder?

LinkedIn does not have a tool that generates a resume from your profile data. You must create your resume separately using Word, Google Docs, or another tool, then upload the file. Some third-party tools can pull your LinkedIn data and format it as a resume, but these are not made by LinkedIn.