You can change your resume on LinkedIn through your profile settings, and the process takes about five minutes

LinkedIn lets you upload a PDF or image file of your resume directly to your profile, where recruiters and hiring managers can see it. You can also build a resume inside LinkedIn using your existing profile information, or replace an old resume with a new one at any time. The file appears in a dedicated section on your profile that you control — you decide whether to make it visible to everyone, just to recruiters, or keep it private.

The steps differ slightly depending on whether you are uploading a file or building a resume within LinkedIn itself. Both methods take just a few minutes and do not require you to update your entire profile.

Key Takeaways

  • You can upload a PDF or image file of your resume to your LinkedIn profile in the "Resume" section, which appears below your headline and profile photo.
  • LinkedIn also offers a built-in resume builder that pulls information from your profile and lets you format it without uploading a separate file.
  • Your resume visibility can be set to public, visible to recruiters only, or private — you control who sees it.
  • You can replace or delete a resume at any time, and uploading a new one does not affect the rest of your profile.

How to upload a resume file to your profile

Open LinkedIn on a desktop or laptop browser and go to your profile by clicking your profile photo in the top right corner and selecting "View profile." Scroll down until you see the "Resume" section — it usually appears below your headline and profile photo, though the exact position depends on how much other information you have added.

Click the "Add resume" button or the pencil icon if you already have a resume uploaded. Select the file from your computer. LinkedIn accepts PDF files and image files (JPG, PNG, GIF). The file size limit is 5 MB. Once you select the file, it uploads immediately and becomes visible according to your privacy settings.

If you do not see a Resume section on your profile, scroll to the very bottom and click "Add section," then choose "Resume" from the list. This creates the section so you can upload your file.

Using LinkedIn's built-in resume builder instead

LinkedIn offers a resume builder that creates a formatted resume from your existing profile information without requiring you to upload a file. To access it, go to your profile and look for the Resume section. Click "Create resume" or "Build resume" if you do not have one yet.

The builder pulls your work experience, education, skills, and other profile sections automatically. You can edit the text, reorder sections, and choose from a few layout options. When you finish, LinkedIn saves it as part of your profile. This method is useful if you want a resume that stays in sync with your profile or if you do not have a separate resume file ready.

You can switch between an uploaded file and a built-in resume at any time. If you upload a file, the built-in resume option remains available, and you can use whichever one you prefer.

Controlling who can see your resume

By default, your resume is visible to everyone who views your profile. To change this, click the pencil icon next to your Resume section and look for the privacy settings. LinkedIn typically offers three options: public (anyone can see it), recruiters only, or private (only you can see it).

The "recruiters only" setting is useful if you want hiring managers to find your resume through LinkedIn's search tools without making it visible to your current employer or professional contacts. You can change this setting at any time without affecting the resume itself.

Replacing or deleting a resume

To replace your current resume with a new one, click the pencil icon next to the Resume section and select "Upload new resume" or "Replace." Choose your new file and it will overwrite the old one immediately. Your profile information and other sections remain unchanged.

To delete a resume entirely, click the pencil icon and select "Delete resume" or the trash icon. This removes the Resume section from your profile but does not delete the file from your computer. You can add a new resume later whenever you are ready.

Troubleshooting common upload problems

If your resume will not upload, check that the file is in PDF or image format and under 5 MB in size. LinkedIn sometimes has trouble with very large or compressed files. Try converting your resume to PDF if you originally saved it as a Word document — this often solves formatting issues.

If the file uploads but appears blurry or unreadable, the image quality may be too low. Re-scan or re-export your resume at a higher resolution and try again. For PDF files, make sure the text is selectable (not just an image embedded in the PDF), as this helps LinkedIn display it correctly.

If you cannot find the Resume section on your profile at all, you may be using the mobile app, which has limited resume features. Switch to the desktop version of LinkedIn in a web browser to access the full resume upload tool.

What recruiters see when they view your resume

Recruiters can view your resume directly from your profile or through LinkedIn's search results if your privacy settings allow it. They see the resume file exactly as you uploaded it — the same formatting, fonts, and layout you created. If you use the built-in resume builder, they see a clean, formatted version that matches LinkedIn's standard template.

Your resume appears alongside your profile information, so recruiters can cross-reference what you wrote in your resume with your work history, skills, and recommendations on your profile. This means inconsistencies between your resume and profile sections may stand out, so keep them aligned.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I upload a resume on the LinkedIn mobile app?

The mobile app does not support resume uploads. You must use the desktop or laptop version of LinkedIn in a web browser. Open LinkedIn.com on your phone's browser and request the desktop version if needed, or use a computer to upload your resume.

What happens to my old resume if I upload a new one?

The new resume replaces the old one completely. The old file is no longer visible on your profile. If you need to keep both versions, download your old resume to your computer before uploading the new one, or use LinkedIn's built-in resume builder to maintain multiple formats.

Can recruiters download my resume from LinkedIn?

Yes, recruiters can typically download your resume file directly from your profile if your privacy settings allow them to view it. The download option usually appears next to your resume on your profile page. You cannot prevent downloads if you make your resume visible to recruiters.

Should I use an uploaded resume or LinkedIn's built-in resume builder?

Use an uploaded file if you have a custom-designed resume or want full control over formatting. Use the built-in builder if you want something quick, professional-looking, and automatically synced with your profile. Many people use both — keep the built-in version for quick sharing and upload a polished file for serious applications.

Does updating my resume affect my profile visibility or connections?

No. Changing your resume does not notify your connections, change your profile visibility, or affect any other part of your account. Only people who view your profile or search results will see the updated resume.