LinkedIn is one of the most powerful career tools for your job search other than your resume. Many employers check on a candidate’s social media and LinkedIn profile before scheduling an interview or making a job offer. Given the importance of the LinkedIn profile, many job seekers ask “Should I include my LinkedIn URL on my resume”?
The answer is that it depends on your LinkedIn profile and resume. We’ll go over when, where and how to include a link to your LinkedIn profile on your resume.
Here is what this post covers:
Should I include my LinkedIn URL on a resume?
Yes, you should be including your LinkedIn information within the contact section on your resume. Most hiring managers and employers will check your LinkedIn either way so including it on your resume makes their life easier. (Hint: that’s always good for you!)
Your LinkedIn profile is an important part of your modern job search toolbox. It has vastly more space than your resume, plus opportunities to add compelling social proof like endorsements and recommendations to your job applications. Many recruiters also want to know who you know and what your interests are.
However, there are some precautions you need to take. Including a link to a bad LinkedIn profile will do more harm than good.
When should I remove my LinkedIn URL from my resume?
Your LinkedIn is an opportunity to tell a richer career story. If you’re not taking advantage of that opportunity, though, your LinkedIn will look more like a neglected front lawn. Take some care to clean up your property before you try to use it as a selling point.
Here are situations you would need to take care of before adding that LinkedIn URL to your resume or job application.
1. Your LinkedIn profile is not updated
You need to ensure your LinkedIn profile is updated with your latest professional information. It wouldn’t be a good idea to have the hiring manager or recruiter wonder why the employment information from your resume doesn’t match your LinkedIn.
Here is a good example:
2. Your link not customized
When you create your LinkedIn account, you’re given an automated URL. This URL is usually a combination of your name along with some numbers and letters. Like linkedon.com/in/bobsmith/2382/A/233)
This is too long and unprofessional looking to include on a resume. You have the option to customize your LinkedIn URL. This will allow you to include the live link on your resume while maintaining a neat and professional look.
Here are the instructions to personalizing your LinkedIn profile link:
Click the Me icon at the top of your LinkedIn homepage.
Click View profile.
On your profile page, click Edit public profile & URL on the right rail.
Under Edit URL in the right rail, click the Edit pencil icon next to your public profile URL.
It'll be an address that looks like www.linkedin.com/in/yourname.
Type the last part of your new custom URL in the text box.
Click Save.
Change the end of the LinkedIn profile URL to a combination of your first/last name. If your name is taken, you can add your initial or try a number.
Example of LinkedIn URL on resume:
3. Unprofessional profile
Your LinkedIn profile needs to impress the hiring manager or recruiter. The first thing you should add is a high-quality, professional profile photo. You need to ensure that you have a well worded resume header summary to lead with.
We wrote a great post with some examples of how to write a good LinkedIn summary here.
You also need to ensure that you have a good amount of connections to other professionals. A bare-bones profile with no image and 10 connections will appear suspicious to the hiring manager. Write a solid summary and get active on your LinkedIn. Add new connections from the “people you may know” page and endorse other people who will in return endorse you.
Expert Tip
check out our expert's 5 top tips on how to apply for jobs online using your LinkedIn profile and your resume.
4. Regurgitation of resume
You shouldn’t add your LinkedIn profile URL to your resume if it’s just a reiteration of everything on your resume. A resume is a document targeting a specific position whereas a LinkedIn profile is a more detailed outline of your professional career and work history.
Your LinkedIn should have a broader summary of your professional career and interests. Your work experience should also be more of a conversational summary of what you did rather than just similar bullet points from your resume.
Once the issues above are addressed, you should add the link to your resume.
Where to include a LinkedIn profile URL on your resume
The LinkedIn URL should go in the header along with the rest of your contact information.
The most common option is to copy and paste the URL as is. This is where the custom URL comes into play: it looks much neater without a string of letters and numbers after your name. Don’t forget to shorten the link before including it. You don’t need to add “https://www.”–you can just lead with LinkedIn.
Remember that you also don’t need to label your link “LinkedIn URL” or anything along those lines. It’s clear to the reader that it’s a link to your profile.
Your other option is to include the link as a hyperlink. This option only works if you submit your resume as a .doc file–which is actually the resume file type we recommend using for ATS (applicant tracking system) compatibility. Either a hyperlink or a short, customized link to your LinkedIn profile is perfectly fine and will allow a hiring manager or recruiter to navigate directly to your LinkedIn profile.
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Summary
Adding your LinkedIn URL to your resume is a really effective way to catch the attention of the hiring manager. It answers a question before they could ask it, which is sure to score points! Ensure that your profile is up to date and not just a repeat of your resume.
If you’re emailing your resume to the hiring manager directly, you’ll also want to add the LinkedIn URL in your email signature. This allows them to easily click on the link and view your profile without opening your resume document again.
Good luck with your job search!
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ZipJob is more than a resume writing service. We also write professional LinkedIn profiles to increase your online visibility. Check out more ZipJob reviews or compare our three resume writing packages.
Written by
Crystal Love, Certified Professional Résumé Writer
Crystal is an Editor and Content Writer with a background in business and 10+ years of experience developing resumes and cover letters for job seekers at various career stages. She is also a career coach and interview expert helping professionals find clarity in their career path and job search, and preparing for and navigating interviews with confidence.
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