You can add your resume to LinkedIn in two ways: upload it to your profile so visitors see it, or attach it when you send a message to a recruiter

LinkedIn lets you store a resume file on your profile where anyone viewing it can download your document. You can also attach a resume when you message someone directly. The upload process takes about two minutes on desktop or mobile, and you can replace it with a new version anytime.

Your resume appears in a dedicated section on your profile, separate from your work history and skills. Recruiters often look for this section because it shows you have a polished document ready to send. You control whether the section is visible to everyone, only to recruiters, or hidden entirely.

Key Takeaways

  • Upload a resume by going to your profile, scrolling to the Featured section, and clicking the plus icon to add a document.
  • Your resume file must be a PDF, Word document, or image file under 10 MB in size.
  • You can change who sees your resume by adjusting the privacy setting from "Public" to "Recruiters only" or "Private".
  • Attaching a resume to a direct message works separately from your profile upload and does not require you to have a profile resume first.
  • LinkedIn stores only one resume on your profile at a time, so uploading a new one replaces the old version automatically.

How to upload a resume to your profile on desktop

Open LinkedIn and click your profile photo in the top right corner, then select "View profile". Scroll down past your headline, about section, and work history until you reach the Featured section. This section usually shows articles, posts, or media you have shared. Click the plus icon inside the Featured section.

A menu will appear with options to add different types of content. Select "Document" from the list. A file browser will open. Navigate to your resume file on your computer, select it, and click "Open". LinkedIn will upload the file and display it in your Featured section within a few seconds.

After upload, you can add a title for the document (like "Resume" or "2024 Resume") and write a short description if you want. Click "Save" to finish. Your resume now appears on your profile for anyone to see, depending on your privacy settings.

How to upload a resume on mobile

Open the LinkedIn app and tap your profile photo at the bottom of the screen. Tap "View profile" to open your full profile. Scroll down to the Featured section and tap the plus icon. Select "Document" from the menu that appears.

Your phone's file browser will open. Find your resume file and tap it to select it. LinkedIn will upload the document and add it to your Featured section. You can add a title and description the same way you would on desktop, then tap "Save".

If you do not see a file browser, your phone may not have a file manager app installed. In that case, you can email your resume to yourself, open the email on your phone, and try uploading again. Some phones also let you take a photo of a printed resume and upload that image instead.

Changing who can see your resume

After you upload your resume, click or tap the three dots in the corner of the document in your Featured section. Select "Edit" or "Change privacy". A dropdown menu will show three options: "Public", "Recruiters only", or "Private".

Choose "Public" if you want everyone on LinkedIn to see and download your resume. Choose "Recruiters only" if you want only people with recruiter accounts to access it. Choose "Private" if you want to keep the resume on your profile but hide it from view — you can still attach it when messaging someone directly.

You can change this setting anytime without re-uploading the file. The change takes effect immediately.

Attaching a resume when you message someone

Open a direct message conversation with a recruiter or contact. In the message box at the bottom, look for a paperclip icon or plus icon. Click or tap it to open the attachment menu. Select "Document" or "File" depending on your device.

Choose your resume file from your computer or phone. The file will attach to your message. You can add text before or after sending the message. The recipient will see the resume as a downloadable attachment in the conversation.

This method works even if you do not have a resume uploaded to your profile. You can also attach other documents like a cover letter or portfolio this way.

File types and size limits

LinkedIn accepts resume files in PDF, Word (.doc or .docx), or image formats (JPG, PNG). The file must be smaller than 10 MB. Most resumes are well under this limit — a typical resume is between 100 KB and 2 MB.

PDF is the safest choice because it preserves your formatting exactly as you created it, no matter what device someone uses to open it. Word documents sometimes display differently on different computers. If you have your resume as a Google Doc, download it as a PDF first before uploading to LinkedIn.

If your file is too large, you can compress it by opening it in your PDF reader or Word and saving it with a lower quality setting. Most resume files do not need compression unless they contain many images or graphics.

Replacing or removing your resume

To replace your resume with a new version, click the three dots on your current resume in the Featured section and select "Edit". Click "Change document" or "Upload new file" and select your new resume file. LinkedIn will replace the old one immediately.

To remove your resume entirely, click the three dots and select "Delete" or "Remove". The document will disappear from your Featured section. If you set it to "Private", it will still be hidden but you can still attach it in messages.

You can upload a new resume anytime without losing your profile information, work history, or skills section. Each upload is independent.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I have more than one resume on my profile?

No. LinkedIn allows only one resume in your Featured section at a time. If you upload a new one, it replaces the previous version. If you need to show different resumes to different people, you can keep multiple versions on your computer and upload the one you want before sending it in a message.

Will recruiters be notified when I upload a resume?

No. Uploading a resume to your profile does not send a notification to recruiters. However, if you have your profile set to "Open to recruiter outreach", recruiters may see your updated profile when they search for candidates, and they may notice your resume is available.

What if my resume does not upload?

Check that your file is under 10 MB and in a supported format (PDF, Word, or image). If the file is too large, try compressing it or converting it to PDF. If you are on mobile, make sure your phone has enough storage space. Try uploading again, or try a different device.

Can I see how many times my resume has been downloaded?

LinkedIn does not provide download counts for resumes in your Featured section. You can see general profile views and search appearances in your analytics, but not specific resume downloads. If you want to track resume downloads, you can share it through email or a file-sharing service instead.

Does uploading a resume change my profile visibility?

No. Uploading a resume does not change your overall profile privacy settings. Your profile visibility is controlled separately in your privacy settings. Your resume privacy (Public, Recruiters only, or Private) is independent of your profile privacy.