Maybe you just started applying for jobs, maybe you just graduated from school, or maybe your resume just needs a good fine-tuning. Whatever the reason may be, don’t make it hard on yourself — you can create your resume for your LinkedIn with our quick and easy tips. You’ll also learn how to use the resume assistant, plus how to find great jobs on the site. Your best LinkedIn resume, coming right up!
The feature to add a file to your LinkedIn profile is no longer available. The best (and only) way to do so is to create your resume on a shareable file such as Google Doc, or any file that can be linked. Then, add the link into your “About” summary.
Why You Shouldn’t Link Your Resume To Your LinkedIn Profile
You may not want to provide a link to a PDF or document of your resume. LinkedIn is meant to be a more dynamic version of your professional self than only a resume can offer. Adding a link to your paper resume might make it seem to some employers that you don’t fully understand the website’s purpose.
How to Upload Your Resume to LinkedIn Job Applications
When searching for available jobs, you will have the option to “Save” or “Apply.” If you see the “Apply” button, you will be taken to an off-site link where you will continue your application. If you see the “Easy Apply” button, that means you can apply straight from the LinkedIn website. Just click, and you have the option to add your email, phone number, and upload your resume file.
Can You Import Your Resume Into LinkedIn?
No, you can no longer import your resume to LinkedIn. Instead, work on each section thoughtfully, and you can showcase your skills, accomplishments, and experiences even better than on a typical CV.
How to Download Resume from LinkedIn
You can easily generate your CV from LinkedIn — here’s how:
Click on your icon, “Me”
Click “View Profile”
Click “More…”
Click “Save to PDF”
Note that this is a general resume, so yours will look the same as everyone else who has downloaded their resume from LinkedIn. You should also remember that you cannot edit this, unless you have access to a PDF editor.
Tools
There are several tools online to help you with your LinkedIn. Here are just a few:
1. LinkedIn Resume Builder: Download as a PDF
This tool from LinkedIn helps you create a beautiful and professional resume using the information on your LinkedIn profile. With this feature, you are able to download your resume as a PDF and submit it anywhere. LinkedIn Resume Builder is only available to members who have subscribed to Premium Career, a paid feature.
2. Convert Your LinkedIn Profile to a Beautiful Resume With Resumonk
Resumonk is a website that allows you to create interesting and unique resumes. To make the info entry step easier, you can import your LinkedIn profile to help build the resume.
3. Build A Resume With Your LinkedIn Profile With VisualCV
This website allows you to import your LinkedIn profile, and let VisualCV take care of the rest. There are several templates available for you to customize. Sign up is free, but there may be fees associated to download or share.
4. LinkedIn Resume Assistant
Resume Assistant is a feature in Microsoft Word, powered by LinkedIn. It is a smart program to help you write your resume by searching LinkedIn databases right in the side bar of your Word document, to get you thinking of ideas. To use LinkedIn Resume Assistant, open Microsoft Word and click on Resume Assistant. From there, you can type in the job you are applying for, and it will return commonly used phrases to use, as well as resume examples.
Your LinkedIn profile is an online representation of everything you want colleagues, recruiters or connections to see. You can add a summary, work experience, education, volunteer experience, certifications, accomplishments, and interests. You can also request endorsements from other users.
The Importance of Your LinkedIn Profile
LinkedIn is becoming an increasingly popular way for recruiters to find applicants, and for job seekers to find open positions. HR reps and recruiters will often refer back to your LinkedIn profile after you submit an application, or they might browse the site for those looking for jobs. Therefore, if you’re in the market for a new job, it’s extremely important to keep your profile up to date and attractive to recruiters. Here are some ways to do so:
1. Be Specific: Use detailed, accurate information about your experiences.
2. Upload A Professional Photo: Your photo should show you in the best light, as a professional.
3. Use A Catchy Headline: Write in one sentence why you should be hired- catch their attention quickly with a good headline.
4. Write An Engaging Summary: Your summary tells more about you than just the headline, without users having to scroll through everything you’ve added.
5. Use the Right Keywords: Get to know what keywords recruiting software is searching for when it comes to your industry or job function and make sure to use them where relevant.
6. Add Skills, Values, Achievements: Don’t be shy — show everyone what you’ve done to stand out.
7. Get Endorsed: Ask colleagues or employers to endorse your skills and write recommendations for you.
8. Maintain Your Profile: Check LinkedIn often for messages, newsfeed items, and always keep your profile up to date.
How to Use Your LinkedIn Profile as a Job Search Tool
First of all, make sure you keep everything updated. This will ensure that when recruiters are looking for you, they have the most up-to-date and relevant info. You can also update your LinkedIn profile to ‘searching for jobs.’ This will show companies and recruiters your profile when they search for potential employees. This feature will also add relevant jobs to the top of your LinkedIn feed.
LinkedIn is also a great resource to research the companies you are applying to. Look them up, and follow them. That way, you’ll always be in the know about new job offers and what’s going on in the company. Check out contacts of the companies too, and ask them for an introduction on LinkedIn — asking never hurts!
Finally, take advantage of the advanced search tool on LinkedIn to search for jobs. You can search by location, skills, and job title keywords to get the most relevant results for you.
LinkedIn Resume Tips
1. Have a Purpose:
Always include a plan and purpose with each resume you create. Start your resume with a plan in mind, such as how to show a company that you are passionate about their mission and experienced in what they need, and make sure you stay true to that purpose the whole way through.
2. Include Your Strengths:
Make sure to include a section on your resume for listing your strengths. Don’t forget to make them relevant to the position and company you are applying for.
3. Learn About Key Words:
Have you heard about applicant tracking software? In this day and age, it shouldn’t surprise you that a machine is scanning your resume before a human sees it. If you include the correct keywords, without sounding like you are copying and pasting the job description, your resume is more likely to get ahead.
4. Make Your Resume Visually Interesting:
Don’t forget that in the end, there will be a real person reading your resume. Don’t make the mistake of submitting a cookie cutter B&W resume- include color, varied spacing, and images if it makes sense. With so many design platforms these days, there’s no reason not to!
In keeping with making your resume more interesting, provide a quote or two from your written recommendations. Personally written reviews can go a long way, just make sure they are succinct!
6. Proofread and Get a Second Opinion:
Always have someone else look over your resume. It’s never a bad idea to get another set of eyes to find any mistakes. You can also ask their opinion on how well you tailored your resume.
7. Know and Use Employer’s Pain Points:
Find out exactly what this employer is missing, and how you fill that gap. Try to portray these points throughout your resume and cover letter.
8. Create Customized Resumes:
Always make a new resume and cover letter to fit the position and company you are applying for. It will help you stand out, and it is also painfully obvious when a resume is generic and meant to be sent to many companies. Show this new company how interested you are by putting in the extra time to make a custom resume for the job.
Networking on LinkedIn is extremely important, not just for the job search, but for building your professional community as well. Try to build up your first degree network as much as possible. Reach out to people of interest, and introduce yourself with your add. You can also import email contacts for an easy way to add people you may know. Networking is important for both students and post grads, and it’s never too early to start networking. Here’s the best tips on how to network as a student.
The Things that are Ruining Your Resume and LinkedIn Profile
Avoid these common mistakes:
Show You’re Assertive And Not Just A Doer: Don’t write about everything you did. Write about the leadership initiative you took, how you delegated tasks, and got the job done.
Show You’re a Problem Solver: Don’t just write you’re a problem solver, write about exactly what problem you solved, how you did it and what role you played.
Get Rid of Fluff: Get to the point, don’t make recruiters and HR personnel have to navigate through a bunch of filler words.
Don’t Come Off As Creepy: Seeming too eager, or too interested is a big no-no. There’s a difference between being a go-getter and showing you’re interested in the job, and being a bit creepy with too many follow-up messages.
Be Precise and Eliminate Mistakes: Don’t just copy the job description, show your potential new employer exactly how you improved your current organization, and the role you had. If you’re not a perfectionist, don’t add it in. Interviewers will be able to tell right away. Eliminating simple mistakes is one of the most important things you can do for your resume and profile. Spelling errors or generic “add title here” text that you forgot to delete are instant turn-offs.
Words Before Numbers: When HR professionals are scanning your profile, make the numbers stand out by including them first. For example, say, “increased enrollment by 80% due to xyz,” instead of, “created a comprehensive program, resulting in an 80% increase in enrollment.”
Don’t Talk About Money Until it’s Time: At this stage, it’s all about convincing the other party that you are a good match for each other. And while salary is an important part of that dance, making it a priority can either have you looking a little desperate (salary negotiable), or can make you seem like you don’t have the company or job in mind first.
LinkedIn is an incredible resource for helping you craft your perfect resume, for networking and job hunting. Use LinkedIn in conjunction with the tips we’ve listed, and you are well on your way to finding a great job.
At UoPeople, our blog writers are thinkers, researchers, and experts dedicated to curating articles relevant to our mission: making higher education accessible to everyone. Read More
