Adding your LinkedIn to your resume sounds simple, right? But doing it right can actually give you a big edge. Here’s how to casually, yet smartly, link your online and offline professional worlds—and
impress recruiters while you're at it.
Let’s be honest: hiring managers will Google you. It’s just the way it is now.
Having your LinkedIn front and center saves them the trouble—and shows you’re one step ahead.
Your LinkedIn isn’t just a digital copy of your resume. It gives recruiters a deeper peek—your recommendations, your projects, your detailed experiences, and even a bit of your personality.
So why not make it easy for them to find it?
The Right Spot to Place It
Okay, first things first—where does your LinkedIn link actually go?
You want it at the top of your resume. Right there in your header section, along with your name, phone number, and email.
Here’s a simple way to format it:
[LinkedIn logo] linkedin.com/in/yourprofilename
Or just neatly typed in like this:
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/yourprofilename
Easy to find, not screaming for attention, but very much there.
Pro Tip: Make sure it’s clickable if you’re sending a digital copy! Recruiters love convenience.
Clean Up Your LinkedIn Before Sharing
This part’s important—don’t just slap your LinkedIn on your resume without checking if it’s resume-ready.
A few quick things to double-check:
- Profile photo: Clear, professional, friendly. (Save the party pics for Instagram!)
- Headline: Instead of just your job title, try something a little catchy but still professional.
- Summary/About section: Tell your story! Keep it short but engaging.
- Experience: Update it! Make sure your titles, companies, and dates match your resume.
- Skills and endorsements: Highlight the ones that actually matter for the job you're aiming for.
- Custom URL: Seriously, get rid of that messy string of numbers. Customize your LinkedIn URL to look neat and professional. It takes two minutes and makes a world of difference.
A ‘Perfect’ LinkedIn Profile Looks Somewhat Like This:
(Credit - LinkedIn)
You want recruiters to click and think, “Wow, they’ve got their act together.”
How to Customize Your LinkedIn URL
If you’re wondering how to do this, it’s super easy:
- Go to your LinkedIn profile.
- Click on “Edit public profile & URL” (top right).
- Hit “Edit your custom URL.”
- Choose something simple, like your name.
(Example: linkedin.com/in/janedoe)
Now it looks polished and is way easier to type or click on.
Should You Include It on a Physical Resume Too?
Short answer? Yep.
Even if you’re printing resumes for a job fair or an in-person interview, still pop that LinkedIn link in your header.
These days, recruiters love to check out your online presence afterward.
If you want to be extra snazzy, you could even add a small QR code linking directly to your profile. It’s a fun modern touch, and it shows you’re tech-savvy.
When Not to Add Your LinkedIn
There are a few times when you might want to leave it off:
- If your LinkedIn is super outdated and you don't have time to fix it.
- If your LinkedIn is totally different from the role you’re applying for. (Example: applying for a finance job but your LinkedIn screams “aspiring rock musician.”)
- If your LinkedIn isn’t helping your application, it’s okay to leave it off for now—and circle back to fix it later.
A Little Bonus Tip: Match Your Resume and LinkedIn
Here’s the thing: recruiters don’t like surprises.
If your resume says you worked at Company X from 2021–2023, but LinkedIn says you left in 2022... that raises eyebrows.
Small inconsistencies look careless—even if they’re innocent mistakes.
Before you send out anything, double-check that your resume and LinkedIn tell the same story. Smooth and simple.
Adding LinkedIn to your resume isn’t just a checkbox move.
When you do it right, it’s like saying, “Hey, here’s my professional story—come take a look!”
A clean, polished LinkedIn profile can give you a major boost.
So take a few minutes, tweak those little details, and show off your best professional self—both on paper and online.
