Should I upload my resume to LinkedIn? [LinkedIn Series]

No – you should not put your resume on LinkedIn. Here’s why.

Clients occasionally ask us whether they should upload their resume to LinkedIn.

The answer is a resounding no!

There are three key reasons that you shouldn't upload your resume to your LinkedIn profile:

1) LinkedIn already serves as an online resume

On your LinkedIn profile, you're already providing a professional summary and outline of your work experience.

Because the information on your profile largely overlaps with the information on your resume, you don't want to be redundant by also uploading a copy of your resume.

If you upload your resume, you may even give off the impression that you aren't aware of how the LinkedIn platform functions.

2) You want to use your LinkedIn profile as a teaser

The content on your LinkedIn profile should be less detailed than that of your resume.

Your LinkedIn profile should outline the following for your readers:

• Where you worked and when
• Which positions you held
• What you were broadly responsible for in each role
• Major accomplishments
• Skills and areas of expertise
• Future goals

Based on this information, recruiters and potential connections will get a sense of whether they would like to learn more about you.

If so, they’ll typically reach out directly to request a copy of your resume.

3) You may potentially reveal sensitive information

On your resume, you may cite specific examples of projects you worked on and results that you were able to drive for your company.

Unless this information is confidential, it's generally okay to disclose on your resume - assuming you are exercising discretion and not posting it on public job boards.

While it is possible to adjust your profile settings to make your LinkedIn more private, we encourage you to assume that anyone can see the information you're posting.

Don't risk damaging your reputation by including potentially sensitive information such as the following unless you're confident that it's fine to do so (such as when the company shares this information publicly):

• Specific performance results
• Profitability metrics
• Sales metrics
• Document uploads
• Names of external clients
• Descriptions of confidential projects

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.

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