How To Update Your Resume on LinkedIn

LinkedIn is beyond a place to network about employment. It’s also a powerful job search tool. With over 900 million users, this website is where hiring managers and recruiters go to evaluate candidates before they even reach out. Whether actively applying for jobs or keeping your professional profile current, maintaining a recent resume on LinkedIn is smart.

But uploading a resume isn’t enough on its own. Your LinkedIn profile should complement your resume, not duplicate it. Both should tell a cohesive story about your skills, background, and goals. That means aligning your work history, showcasing measurable achievements, and ensuring your resume and LinkedIn summary have your most recent roles, projects, and qualifications. Read on for tips on uploading, optimizing, and standing out.

Why Update Your Resume on LinkedIn?

Recruiters and employers use LinkedIn as one of the top tools for sourcing talent. If your resume or profile is outdated, you might not get opportunities matching your skills. When you update your resume, it shows growth, highlights achievements, and aligns your job search materials across platforms. Even small updates — like adding certifications or promotions — can make a difference. Keeping your resume updated on LinkedIn helps you:

• Get found by recruiters and hiring managers using LinkedIn search filters
• Align your professional brand with your latest achievements
• Stay competitive, even if you’re not actively job hunting

Example 1: Adding a Promotion

If you were promoted within the same company, reflect that on LinkedIn by adding two separate positions under the same employer.

Example 2: Adding a Certification

To add a certification:

1. Go to your profile and scroll to the Licenses & Certifications section.
2. Click the + icon.
3. Add the certification name plus the issuing organization, and issue date. Include a credential URL if available.

This shows your skills and ensures recruiters see your current qualifications.

How To Upload or Replace Your Resume on LinkedIn

Add resume to “featured” section

The Featured section of your LinkedIn profile allows you to pin key content, like portfolio pieces, blog posts, and your resume.

To upload:

• Go to your LinkedIn profile.
• Click “Add profile section,” then “Recommended” > “Add Featured.”
• Select “Media” and upload your resume (PDF is best for preserving formatting).

This makes your resume viewable to anyone visiting your profile and is ideal for freelancers, creatives, or professionals actively seeking new roles.

This resume will now appear prominently on your profile for recruiters and connections to access easily.

Add resume to job applications

When using LinkedIn’s “Easy Apply” feature, you can upload a resume directly for each position.

Steps:

1. Click “Easy Apply” on the job listing.
2. Upload your resume in the file section.
3. LinkedIn may auto-fill your profile info, but always double-check the formatting.

Note: Resumes uploaded this way are not publicly visible on your profile. They’re only shared with the employer for that specific role.

Learn more: How To Add a Resume to LinkedIn.

How To Make Sure Your Resume Matches Your LinkedIn Profile

Update key sections together

Discrepancies between your resume and LinkedIn profile (like job titles, dates, or duties) can cause employers to be concerned. If you update one, always update the other. Ensure your education and work history timeline is consistent and that you highlight similar skills and achievements. Use LinkedIn to expand briefly on stories or accomplishments you didn’t have room for in your resume.

Be sure your:

• Work experience aligns in both format and content
• Skills and accomplishments are consistent
• Dates match exactly

Avoid copying and pasting your resume word-for-word. LinkedIn is more conversational, with a focus on results and highlights.

Choose the right resume format

Some resume formats don’t translate well to digital platforms. LinkedIn supports a more narrative and visual presentation of your experience. A reverse-chronological or hybrid format is best when uploading a PDF, as it outlines your job history and progression.

Avoid using highly stylized templates with multiple columns or heavy design elements, as they may be hard to read on different devices. Not all formats translate well to LinkedIn. Stick with reverse-chronological or hybrid formats.

Explore the best resume formats.

How To Optimize Your LinkedIn Profile for Resume Visibility

Use keywords strategically

Recruiters search LinkedIn using keywords, such as job titles, skills, and certifications. It’s important to mirror language from your industry and desired roles. Include technical and soft skills, and repeat them naturally throughout your about section, job descriptions, and headline. You can get ideas from job postings or scan your resume for frequently used terms.

See what skills to put on a resume.

Add a strong headline and summary

Your LinkedIn headline should be more than your current job title. Make sure it reflects your specialty or value proposition. For example, “UX Designer | Mobile Apps | Accessibility-Focused” works better than “UX Designer.” Use the about section (similar to a resume summary) to highlight your top achievements, areas of expertise, and current goals. Keep it engaging but concise, writing the “About Me” (summary) section in first person for a conversational tone.

Keeping your resume updated and aligned with your LinkedIn profile strengthens your online presence and improves your chances of connecting with the right opportunities. Use this time to fine-tune your messaging, refresh your accomplishments, and stand out in a competitive job market.

Looking to improve your resume before uploading? Check out How To Make a Resume for step-by-step help.