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How - and why - to customize your LinkedIn profile link
When you create a LinkedIn profile, LinkedIn automatically assigns a URL that you can use to send people directly to your profile.
In this article, we'll discuss:
- Why you should customize your LinkedIn URL
- Where to share your profile
- How to change the default LinkedIn profile link
Why you should customize your LinkedIn URL
Simply put, customizing your URL will make it much easier for people to find your profile - especially if you have a more common name that can make your profile difficult to find using a simple search.
LinkedIn automatically creates a profile link based on your first and last name. However, it also includes a series of numbers and dashes.
It generally looks something like:
www.linkedin.com/in/matt-g-779854179
We recommend changing this default link because:
1) It's easy to make mistakes when typing out this long URL
By shortening your link and removing unnecessary characters, you'll help anyone who is manually typing in your URL avoid mistakes, eliminating potential frustration.
2) It doesn’t look very neat or professional
When including your profile link in an email signature or on any career-related documents, you want it to look clean.
By leaving your profile link as-is, you risk coming off as a LinkedIn amateur.
How to change the default LinkedIn profile link
Changing your LinkedIn URL is simple.
Step 1: Click "Edit public profile and URL" on your homepage
Step 2: Click the pencil under the "Edit your custom URL" heading
Step 3: Delete the existing URL and enter your preferred URL as shown below
We recommend using some combination of your first and last name without dashes, when possible.
If your preferred URL is already taken, you may need to adjust accordingly.
Step 4: Click save and double-check your new URL
Once you click save, your URL is ready to go!
To be safe, we always recommend pasting your new link into your browser and double-checking that it works correctly before sending it out.
Where to share your profile
Once you complete your Linked profile and customize your link, you'll want to start - or continue building - your network of professional connections.
The easiest way to do so is to simply make people aware of your profile!
Places to consider sharing your LinkedIn profile link include:
- Email signature
- Business card
- Company website
- Alumni association databases
- Personal blog
- Author's bio on articles
While it's generally best practice to only add connections you know, don't be afraid to connect with potential business partners, employers, industry colleagues, and recruiters.
There's very little risk associated with accepting someone's connection request - and you never know what sort of opportunity it may lead to!
To learn more about LinkedIn best practices, check out our LinkedIn Series here! You'll find links to a variety of brief, punchy articles that will help you get the most out of the platform.
About Resume Pilots
Resume Pilots is an award-winning executive resume writing firm and a proud member of the Professional Association of Resume Writers and Career Coaches. Our previous clients include CEOs and senior executives at the world's leading companies.
As a professional services firm, we take your reputation seriously. We are committed to delivering writing excellence and superior service while operating with integrity and discretion. Recruitment firms we partner with also trust us to consistently deliver quality documents for their clients.
Our writers have studied in the Ivy League and other top-tier universities and have strong writing backgrounds coupled with industry experience.
Here's how we can help you:
Resume, Cover Letter, and LinkedIn Writing Services: If you are looking for end-to-end support, hire one of our professional resume writers to rewrite your documents from the ground up.
Executive Resume Template Downloads: If you plan to prepare your own resume, consider using one of our classic, ATS-friendly resume templates for Microsoft Word.
To learn more about our services, book an introductory call with our founder here or email team@resumepilots.com.
About the AuthorMatt Glodz
Matt Glodz is the Founder and Managing Partner of Resume Pilots and a Certified Professional Resume Writer.
After studying business communication at Cornell University, Matt worked within Fortune 500 companies, where he noted that qualified candidates were frequently denied interview opportunities due to poorly written documents.
At Resume Pilots, Matt combines his business and writing background - which includes prior work for a Chicago Tribune publication - to craft resumes that give his clients the best chance of landing interviews. He works with clients ranging from CEOs to recent graduates and has been writing resumes for over 10 years.
He has been quoted on numerous business and career-related topics in outlets including Business Insider, CNBC, Fortune, Glassdoor, The Ladders, and Thrive Global.