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How-To Geek

How to add your resume on linkedin.

Let recruiters see all your career achievements!

Quick Links

Why upload your resume to linkedin, upload your resume to your linkedin profile, save your resume for job listings, showcase your resume in a linkedin post, key takeaways.

To add a resume to your LinkedIn profile, open your profile and go to Add Profile Section > Add Featured. Click the + icon and select "Add Media", then find your resume file. Alternatively, upload your resume for "Easy Apply" job listings or post your resume in your LinkedIn feed.

Adding your resume on LinkedIn allows recruiters to view your career achievements and potentially contact you for available job positions. You can upload your resume to your profile, a job listing, or a regular feed post. We'll show you how to do that all.

Related: How to Quickly Generate a Resume from Your LinkedIn Profile

If you already have a LinkedIn account, you may wonder what the point of adding a resume is---can't employers learn the same thing from looking at your profile? Well, unless you've made your entire profile public , they can't see it until you've added them as a connection. Making connections is time-consuming and inconvenient in the fast-paced world of hiring, and a public profile puts your privacy at risk.

If you upload a resume to your profile, visitors to your profile can get your skills and history in brief and share the resume with recruiters and employers. Saving your resume in your account settings will let you complete applications faster, and posting your resume to your feed puts it in front of everyone in your network. You only stand to gain from uploading your resume to LinkedIn, and it only takes a few clicks, so let's get started.

In case you don't already have a resume , you can generate one using the existing career details in your LinkedIn profile.

One way to showcase your resume on LinkedIn is to add it to your profile. This allows your profile viewers to view as well as download your resume. Note that you can't use this uploaded resume to apply for jobs on the platform; for that, you'll have to follow the second section below.

To begin adding your resume to your profile, launch your preferred web browser on your desktop and open LinkedIn . Sign in to your account on the site.

Then, in the site's top-right corner, click Me > View Profile.

On your profile page , beneath your name, click "Add Profile Section."

On the "Add to Profile" window, select Recommended > Add Featured.

Next to the "Featured" title, select the "+" (plus) sign and choose "Add Media."

You'll see your computer's "Open" window. Here, access the folder containing your resume and double-click your resume to upload it.

On the "Add Media" window, click the "Title" field and type a title for your resume. Optionally, fill in the "Description" field. Then, save your changes by clicking "Save" in the window's bottom-right corner.

And your resume has been successfully uploaded to your LinkedIn profile.

To make applying for jobs faster, you can upload and save your resume in your LinkedIn application settings menu. This way, the next time you come across a relevant job position, you can get LinkedIn to automatically attach your resume to your application.

You can only use your uploaded resume to apply to jobs that display LinkedIn's "Easy Apply" button. If a listing only shows "Apply," it'll redirect you to that company's website, and you'll likely have to upload your resume there.

To upload your resume for later applications, head to the LinkedIn site and sign in to your account. Then, from the menu bar at the top, select "Jobs."

In the left sidebar, click "Application Settings."

A "Job Application Settings" page will open. Here, in the "Manage Your Resumes" section, click "Upload Resume."

Your resume must be in DOC, DOCX, or PDF format. It must also be 5 MB or smaller in size.

You'll see your machine's "Open" window. Here, open the folder containing your resume and double-click your resume file.

And your selected resume is successfully uploaded to LinkedIn.

Next time you see a job listing, simply click the "Easy Apply" button and you can use your saved resume on LinkedIn to apply for the job.

Enjoy the convenience of applying for jobs on LinkedIn!

Like all other social media sites, LinkedIn lets you create and publish public posts. You can add your resume to these posts and let your followers see it in their feed, ideally getting the attention of an employer in your network.

To use this method, access LinkedIn , sign in to your account, and select "Start a Post" at the top.

On the "Create a Post" window, you'll enter the text that will go along with your resume in your post.

First, click the large text field and add a few sentences in your post. This could be related to why you're uploading your resume, where your expertise lies, or similar.

Then, at the bottom, click "Add a Document" (an icon of a paper).

You'll see a "Share a Document" window. Here, to upload your resume from your computer, click "Choose File." To add your resume from Dropbox or Google Drive, select the appropriate option.

We'll upload the resume from our local storage.

In your computer's "Open" window, navigate to your resume folder and double-click the resume file.

Back on the "Share a Document" window, click the "Document Title" field and enter a title for your resume. Then, in the window's bottom-right corner, select "Done."

On the "Create a Post" window, add other details if you want. Then, publish your post along with your resume by clicking the "Post" button.

And that's all. Your post will appear in your audience's feed, allowing them to read your text content as well as view your uploaded resume .

Related: The Best Sites for Building a Resume

How to Add Your Resume on LinkedIn (Bonus Tip Included)

Looking to land your next job via LinkedIn?

No surprise there - LinkedIn is the social professional social media network out there, with over 3,000,000 new jobs posted on the platform per month in the US alone!

But before you start your job search via LinkedIn, you need to upload your resume to the platform.

In this article, we’ll teach you how to add your resume to your LinkedIn profile! Read on to learn:

• How To Add Your Resume on LinkedIn
• How to Add Your Resume on LinkedIn With Easy Apply
• Should You Add Your Resume to LinkedIn? Pros & Cons
• How to Download Your LinkedIn Profile As a Resume

So let’s dive right in! 

How to Add Resume to Your LinkedIn Profile

The first thing to know is that your LinkedIn already has a place reserved for your resume, and that’s your profile's About Me section. 

It’s a strategic position that allows anyone visiting your profile to notice your resume right away. 

Now, when it comes to uploading your resume on LinkedIn, the process is fairly easy. 

Follow these steps to upload your resume directly to your profile:

Step #1: Click the Me tab on the top toolbar below your profile photo.

Step #2: Choose View Profile from the drop-down menu that appears.

Step #3: Scroll down and click the Add Featured link.

Step #4: If you don't see the “ Featured” section , it might be disabled. If that’s the case, scroll to the top of your profile and select “ Add profile section” , then “ Recommended” , and then “ Add featured”, and finally "Add Media" .

Step #5: Otherwise, if your Featured section is enabled, click Add Favorites or the plus icon , and select Media from the drop-down menu.

Step #6: In the file upload window that appears, select the resume document you want to upload and click Open.

Step #7: A preview of the document will pop up, as well as fields to title and describe your resume. Only the title is required.

Step #8: After filling in the title and description, click Save .

And just like that, everyone will be able to view your resume in the Featured part of your LinkedIn profile .

Want to learn more about how to actively find a job with LinkedIn? Check out our guide to LinkedIn networking !

Applying for Jobs on LinkedIn? Add Your Resume Using Easy Apply!

Now, when looking for work, it’s best to tailor your resume to each position rather than use the same one for all applications. Customizing your resume to the job not only improves your chances of getting hired but also shows the recruiter that you're dedicated and detail-oriented.

And, unfortunately, simply adding your resume to your LinkedIn profile doesn’t allow you to tailor your resume to specific job positions. 

The good news? LinkedIn has thought about this. 

If you’re job hunting and applying to several positions, you can upload different, customized versions of your resume using LinkdeIn's “ Easy Apply ” function. 

Here’s exactly how you can do it: 

Step #1: For starters, check the job position you’re applying for. The Easy Apply function will allow you to upload your resume straight to LinkedIn. Any listing that just has an "Apply" tab will require you to submit your resume via a third-party website. 

Step #2: If applicable, select Easy Apply . Scroll down until you see a button that says Upload Resume . 

Step #3: To upload your resume, navigate to the resume file on your computer and select Open. 

Step #4: From here on, you can keep revising your application and, when finished, click the Submit Application tab. 

The best part? LinkedIn will save this version of your resume in case you need to use it for another job. 

Should I Add My Resume on LinkedIn? 

The answer is a clear “yes!”

When a potential employer lands on your LinkedIn page, they won’t have enough information just with your personal profile to see if you’re qualified for whatever job they’re considering you for.

Simply by adding a resume, you’re adding a new level of depth to your LinkedIn profile and making it more likely that prospective employers reach out to you.

How to Download Your LinkedIn Profile As a Resume (With Pros & Cons)

Just like it allows you to upload your resume online, LinkedIn also lets you download your profile on the platform as a resume. 

All LinkedIn profiles feature a “Save as PDF” tab that will take your LinkedIn profile and save it on your device as a PDF.  

This PDF will contain everything you’ve listed on LinkedIn, including your education, work experience, and skills.

To download your LinkedIn profile as a resume, the first thing you need to do is open LinkedIn in a web browser on your computer. 

After selecting the profile icon at the top, click View Profile.

On the profile page, right below the profile picture, click More and select Save to PDF .

In a few seconds, your download will begin and the PDF will show all the information included in your profile.

Now, if you want to add, update, or omit certain elements from the profile before saving it, you can use LinkedIn’s resume tool to do so. Once you’re pleased with the result, you can hit Save. 

However, the real question here is , is using a LinkedIn profile as a resume a good idea?

The answer is no .

The LinkedIn resume is simply not that effective for several reasons:

• It simply doesn’t look that good. And yes, your resume’s design does matter. The cleaner your resume layout, the easier it is to scan, and as such, more likely to get read by the HR manager.
• It’s not comprehensive enough. Your LinkedIn profile should not be as detailed as your resume. The purpose of a LI profile is to act as a brief introduction to you as a professional, not to sell you as a candidate.
• The output might be too long. Generally, you want to keep your resume length to one, maybe two pages max. A LinkedIn profile export can be longer than that.

Want to use a tried-and-tested resume template instead? Check out the Novorésumé resume builder !

It’s super easy to use and comes with 16 tried-and-tested templates . And the best part? Our resumes look super slick!

Key Takeaways

And that about sums it all up about how to best combine your LinkedIn profile & your resume!

Before you go, though, let’s recap the most important points we covered in this article:

• LinkedIn is much more than a CV on the internet. A LinkedIn profile should emphasize your ties to persons and employers, while your CV should present a clear professional goal. 
• There are 2 simple ways to submit your resume to LinkedIn: directly through uploading or by using the Easy Apply feature for specific jobs.
• When hunting for a job on LinkedIn, don’t just rely on your CV - make sure your profile is fully updated too.

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4 Best Ways to Upload Your Resume to LinkedIn in 2022

OK, you don’t want a long intro. You just want to know how to upload your resume to LinkedIn. You’ve probably already scrolled to the steps below. So without further ado, here are the four ways you can upload your resume to LinkedIn and advice on when (and if) you should use each method.

How to upload your resume to LinkedIn with an “Easy Apply” job application

How to upload your resume to linkedin for future applications, how to upload your resume to your linkedin profile, how to upload your resume to linkedin for a linkedin post.

This is probably the most common way you’ll be uploading your resume to LinkedIn. It’s also the smartest way. Your chances of getting to the next round for an opening you’re qualified for are much higher if you tailor your resume to each job. This method allows you to upload a tailored resume for each posting you apply to.

Click the “Easy Apply” button on the job posting.

• Under the “Resume” field, click on the oval “Upload resume” button. (You may need to click “Next” in the bottom right corner if the “Resume” field isn’t on the first page.)
• If you’ve previously uploaded a resume, LinkedIn will automatically select it. Click the gray “x” on the right side of the file name, and you’ll be given the option to select or upload another resume.
• Select the correct resume using the file picker that appears.

Note: If there’s no “Easy Apply” option for the job, clicking “Apply” will take you away from LinkedIn, and resume upload instructions will vary.

How to upload your resume to LinkedIn with a job application from the LinkedIn app

• Select the correct resume from the list of files that appear.

When you should upload your resume to with an “Easy Apply” application

• Any time you choose to use LinkedIn’s Easy Apply option

This method will make your resume file available to select for any jobs you may apply to on LinkedIn going forward.

Here’s how to do it:

• From any page on LinkedIn, click on the “Jobs” icon on the top bar.
• On the left bar, click “Application settings.”
• Under “Manage your resumes,” click on the oval “Upload resume” button.

How to upload your resume to LinkedIn for future applications from the app

• From any page on LinkedIn, click on the “Jobs” icon on the bottom of the screen.
• Next to the “Search jobs” field, click on the three dots.
• Select “Application settings” from the menu that appears.

When you should upload your resume for future applications

• If you’ve already tailored a resume, but for whatever reason need to submit your application at a time when you won’t have access to your resume file
• If you’ve decided not to tailor your resume for every application, and want to be able to apply to jobs on the go

If you want to upload your resume to your LinkedIn profile , you’ll need to do it separately. You won’t be able to select files you’ve used for applications. Here’s what to do:

• On your LinkedIn profile, click the “Add profile section” button at the bottom of the first profile block.
• Click on “Recommended.”
• From the expanded list, click on “Add featured.”
• On the “Featured” page, click on the plus (+) sign.
• Select “Add media.”
• Select your resume using the file picker that appears.
• Write a title and short description for your resume file.
• Click “Save.”

How to upload your resume to your LinkedIn profile from the app

You can’t currently upload a file to your profile using the LinkedIn app. You have the option to upload a photo, but you should always upload your resume as a Word document or PDF file rather than an image.

When you should upload your resume to your LinkedIn profile

Honestly, uploading your resume to your LinkedIn profile isn’t necessary. I know I sound like a broken record, but any resume you upload to LinkedIn won’t be tailored to a specific job . If someone visits your profile and wants general info about your qualifications, they already have access to all the information on your resume and more without having to download any files.

Posts appear on your connections’ and followers’ LinkedIn “Feeds,” which are front and center on the LinkedIn home page. If you want to incorporate your resume into a post:

• Click “Start a post” in the field at the top of your Feed.
• Select the page icon at the bottom of the window that appears. (“Add a document” will appear when you hover over it.)
• Select “Choose file,” “Dropbox,” or “Google Drive.”
• Add a title to your document.
• Click the “Done” button.

How to upload your resume to LinkedIn for a post from the app

• Tap the plus (+) sign “Post” icon at the bottom of your screen.
• Select the “Add a document” option from below the text box.
• Select your resume from the list of files that appear.
• Tap “Next” at the top right of the screen.

When you should upload your resume to LinkedIn for a post

• If you’re  asking your LinkedIn network or a LinkedIn professional group for help  or leads in your job search, you can help them help you by making it easy for them to download your resume

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How to Turn Your LinkedIn Profile into a Resume

To create a resume from your LinkedIn Profile, click on the “Import from LinkedIn” at the top of this page and our LinkedIn Resume Builder will fetch all relevant details.

Once you start the import process, make sure to select the right template that reflects you and helps you stand out from the competition. While you have imported most of the content from your LinkedIn profile, you can still make changes to the sections and content of your LinkedIn resume.

Unless you have more than 15 years of experience, we advise that you keep your LinkedIn resume to be one or a maximum of two pages.

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How to Put LinkedIn on a Resume (with Examples)

10 min read · Updated on March 27, 2024

Here's how to best represent LinkedIn on your resume so you receive the right type of attention

It's common knowledge that LinkedIn is the top professional social media site used. Unlike other older social media sites that have declined in popularity over the years, LinkedIn has maintained its popularity and has been actively used since its launch in 2003. With more than 1 billion users worldwide and 67 million companies on the site, it's a go-to resource to network, recruit, find and apply for jobs, promote your expertise, and more. 

So, if you're not on LinkedIn, create an account as soon as possible. For those of you who are on LinkedIn, you might be wondering if you should include LinkedIn on your resume. Great question! 

In this post, we'll cover:

Why you should include LinkedIn on a resume

How to update your LinkedIn profile so it's safe to share your URL

How to create a custom LinkedIn URL

Ways to personalize your LinkedIn URL

Where and how to put LinkedIn on your resume

When not to include LinkedIn on your resume

How to include LinkedIn Learning on your resume

Should you put LinkedIn on a resume? 

It's true that your resume is the first impression employers have of you when you apply for a job. With that said, count on LinkedIn being impression number two, given that more than 78% of recruiters use LinkedIn to find and research candidates. Some research even indicates 40% of employers won't consider you if you don't have a LinkedIn profile. In other words, as soon as your resume grabs the attention of a recruiter or hiring manager, it's likely that they're going to quickly do an online search to learn more about you, starting with LinkedIn. 

So, if you've been wondering if recruiters and hiring managers really do check LinkedIn, now you know that they do. As a result, you should definitely include your LinkedIn URL on your resume. But, before you take that step, you must ensure that your profile is current and professional. 

How to update your LinkedIn profile before sharing your URL

Even if you choose not to include your LinkedIn URL on your resume, based on the stats above, it's still probable that hiring teams will look for it anyway. So, first things first, you need to ensure your LinkedIn profile has all the necessary elements and is professionally written. The last thing you want is for a hiring manager to find your profile halfway complete - that scenario is likely to put your resume in the thanks-but-no-thanks pile. 

While it's true that your LinkedIn profile and resume need to align with each other, the great thing about your LinkedIn profile is that it gives you the chance to share more about yourself than your resume can highlight - another reason to be sure to include LinkedIn on your resume. Your LinkedIn profile provides you with a unique opportunity to showcase your personality and all of your professional history - it's a way to highlight your personal and professional brand. 

To ensure your profile is up to par and does what it's meant to do (land an interview and help you to get hired), you want to customize it as follows:

Include a professional photo and cover image

Craft a catchy headline

Add a standout summary in the “About” section

Add your work history in detail

Include all of your skills

Seek endorsements

Include your education , training, licenses, and certifications

Request recommendations

Add work samples, if possible

Complete all relevant sections

For more detailed information on how to best complete your LinkedIn profile, refer to “ 12 Ways to Make Your LinkedIn Profile Stand Out .” 

If you don't currently have a LinkedIn profile, use caution when rushing to create one. Yes, you want to have a profile up and running as soon as possible - especially if you're in the market for a new job - but don't create it in haste. Instead, when you're ready, give it some thoughtful consideration and take the time required to ensure it's a profile you're proud to share with employers. 

Another essential step to take before adding your LinkedIn URL to your resume is personalizing it. Yes, you could use the LinkedIn-generated URL that includes your full name followed by a string of seemingly random numbers and text at the end, but doing so looks unprofessional. In the examples below, if you compare how a LinkedIn-generated URL looks with how a customized URL looks, which is better? 

LinkedIn-generated URL : linkedin.com/in/carry-groove-521a7699744/ 

Customized URL: linkedin.com/in/carrygroove

Not only does the customized URL look more professional, it's also easier to recall. Plus, not customizing your URL can make you come across as being lazy or not caring enough about your job application.

Now that you're clear it's essential to customize your LinkedIn URL, here are the steps to do so:

Log into your LinkedIn profile

On the upper middle to right side of the LinkedIn navigation, click on the “Me” icon

From the menu that appears, click on “View Profile”

Select “Edit public profile & URL” from the top right corner, which will take you to your public profile settings

Click on the pencil icon below and to the right of “Edit your custom URL”

Customize the last part of the URL where you can enter information and click “Save”

Ways to customize and personalize your LinkedIn URL

LinkedIn allows you to customize your URL with 3 to 100 numbers or letters. When choosing what to use for the customized aspect, first remove any random string of text or numbers following your name. If your name alone isn't available, the next best option is to use a variation of your name that is still recognizable and professional. You can also include your job title or profession for URL customization.

Here are some examples of how to personalize your URL:

Add an available and easy to remember number at the end: linkedin.com/in/jamesjones25

Use your title or area of expertise: linkedin.com/in/jamesjoneshrgeneralist

Include your credentials: linkedin.com/in/jamesjonesCPA  

Add a phrase that relates to your personal brand: linkedin.com/in/jamesjonesmortgageloanexpert

Add your middle initial: linkedin.com/in/jameszjones

Where to include a LinkedIn URL on your resume

You're likely not surprised to learn that your LinkedIn URL should go at the top of your resume with your contact information . It's typically the last piece of contact information you'll include, following your phone number and email address.

When sending your resume by email, it's also wise to include your hyperlinked LinkedIn URL in your email signature. This offers easy access to your LinkedIn profile before the recruiter or hiring manager even looks at your resume. It's a good idea to include your LinkedIn URL in the contact information section of your cover letter , too.

How to put your LinkedIn URL on your resume

When listing your LinkedIn URL:

You don't need to include the "https://www." at the beginning. Only listing the rest of the URL is sufficient - for example, linkedin.com/in/karenjohnson22

You don't need to include a LinkedIn label for the URL - the employer will know what the URL is referencing since all LinkedIn URLs begin with "linkedin.com/in/" 

Hyperlink the URL in electronic versions of your resume

On the rare occasion that you might mail a hard copy of your resume, be sure the URL is easily legible and remove the hyperlink

How to put LinkedIn on a resume: example

When you've added your LinkedIn URL to your resume, it could look like this: 

[email protected] | 555.555.5555 | linkedin.com/in/marysmith11

When not to include a LinkedIn URL on your resume

It's clear that putting LinkedIn on your resume adds value in most instances. However, there are a few scenarios where you shouldn't include LinkedIn on your resume. 

Don't include your LinkedIn URL if:

You haven't customized your LinkedIn URL. As mentioned earlier, not customizing your URL might make you appear lazy to recruiters and hiring managers. Since the LinkedIn-generated URL also tends to be long and odd-looking, it could be distracting to human readers vs. adding value the way you want it to.

Your profile is out-of-date and incomplete. Again, it's imperative that your LinkedIn profile is current and complete if you're in the job market and share your URL on your resume.

You don't feel good about your profile. Even if your LinkedIn profile is current, if you don't feel good about it or don't feel it represents you in the best light possible, don't include the URL on your resume. Instead, wait until you've made the updates and changes that make you want to share it. With that said, since employers tend to look you up even if you don't include your URL, try to make those changes with thoughtful consideration sooner rather than later - especially if you're currently applying for jobs. You also have the option of switching your profile to private until you're ready to make it public.  You can always seek professional support to help you update your profile if you're struggling to do so yourself. 

Your LinkedIn profile merely mirrors your resume. A benefit of including your LinkedIn URL on your resume is that it gives hiring teams insight into additional skills and experiences you have, as well as who you are as a person. If your LinkedIn profile and resume are virtually the same, then hiring teams might wonder why you included the URL at all. 

How to add LinkedIn Learning to your resume

If you have a LinkedIn learning certificate, it can be a valuable addition to enhance your job marketing materials. Here are some ways to include LinkedIn Learning on your resume:

Include it in your Certifications section. The most obvious place to include a LinkedIn Learning certificate is in your list of certifications, if you include such a section on your resume. 

Share it in your Education section . Suppose LinkedIn Learning is your only certification or additional training beyond your education. In that case, you can choose to list it with your education. For this scenario, some good naming conventions for the section are “Education & Certifications” or “Education & Credentials.”   

Reference it in your resume summary. You might mention your LinkedIn Learning certificate in your resume summary , if it helps to fill in any skills gaps you have or if you lack relevant work experience for the position.

Add it to your skills or competencies list. If you don't need to emphasize your LinkedIn Learning training in your summary, or are forgoing a Certifications section on your resume, then you can opt to list it in your skills or competencies list. 

LinkedIn on your resume is expected

In today's world, employers expect to see your LinkedIn URL on your resume. Be sure to include your personalized URL with your contact information and, simultaneously, ensure your LinkedIn profile is professionally written and up to date. Hiring managers will thank you! 

And if you have any LinkedIn Learning training that's relevant to the job, be sure to include it where appropriate. Doing so can further enhance your resume and prove you're the perfect candidate for the job. Good luck!  

Do you want to know whether your resume correctly represents your LinkedIn URL as well as other pertinent elements? Why not submit it for a free resume review by our team of expert resume writers ? They'll work with you and show you exactly what to include and how to include it to create the best resume possible!  

Recommended reading:

How to List Certifications on a Resume (with Examples)

5 Easy Ways to Spring Clean Your Resume

How to Check if My Resume is ATS-Friendly for Free

Related Articles:

What are Social Skills and Why Are They Important in Your Job Search?

How to Upload Your Resume to LinkedIn - Step by Step Guide

Should You Use LinkedIn Easy Apply?

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Leverage our LinkedIn Resume Builder to quickly convert your comprehensive LinkedIn profile into a professional, tailored resume.

This tool simplifies the resume creation process by automatically populating your resume with the rich details and experiences from your LinkedIn, ensuring no valuable information is left behind.

Streamline Your Job Search with One Click

Transform your LinkedIn into a resume without the hassle of manual entry or formatting errors.

Our tool ensures that the transition of data from LinkedIn to your resume maintains the integrity and professionalism of your original content, aligning with job market expectations and best practices.

Tailor Your LinkedIn Content for Targeted Applications

Don't just convert your LinkedIn profile to a resume; customize it for the job you want. Our LinkedIn Resume Builder offers options to tailor your content, focusing on the skills and experiences that matter most to specific roles.

Elevate your job application by aligning your professional background with your career aspirations seamlessly.

Streamline Your Professional Presence with LinkedIn Resume Builder

In today's dynamic job market, aligning your LinkedIn profile with your resume is not just advantageous; it's essential. Yet, manually crafting a resume that mirrors the depth and detail of your LinkedIn can be overwhelming and time-consuming.

Our LinkedIn Resume Builder bridges this gap by transforming your LinkedIn profile into a comprehensive, job-ready resume in seconds.

This tool ensures consistency and professionalism across your online and offline professional documents, saving you time while enhancing your job application's impact.

Embrace the simplicity of Teal’s LinkedIn Resume Builder to maintain a synchronized professional narrative, enabling a seamless transition from profile to resume. Start leveraging your LinkedIn effectively to unlock new career opportunities effortlessly.

How to Use the LinkedIn Resume Builder

Enter your linkedin profile url.

Begin by simply entering your LinkedIn Profile URL into the LinkedIn Resume Builder. Our tool will automatically extract and organize your professional experience, skills, and education from LinkedIn, transforming them into a comprehensive resume format.

This step ensures a seamless transition of your career details into a structured and polished resume.

Review and Customize Your Resume

Once your LinkedIn information is imported, review and customize your professional history. Adjust any details to best represent your career achievements and skills.

Highlight specific accomplishments and quantify your successes where possible. This customization helps you create a resume from LinkedIn that stands out by emphasizing your unique strengths and experiences.

Optimize with AI Features

Utilize our AI-driven features to further refine and optimize your resume. From AI suggestions on layout and wording to keyword optimization for specific job descriptions, our tools ensure that your new resume—created from your LinkedIn profile—resonates with recruiters and job postings alike.

This step turns your LinkedIn into a resume that's not only comprehensive but also tailored and targeted.

Finalize and Start Applying

Review your newly crafted resume for final adjustments and utilize our AI Resume Review for additional suggestions.

Once you're satisfied, download your resume directly from the LinkedIn Resume Builder. You’re now ready to apply for jobs with a resume that’s derived from your LinkedIn but refined for your career aspirations.

What's Free & What's

• Unlimited Resumes
• Unlimited Resumes Templates
• Unlimited Job Tracking
• Top 5 Keywords
• 1 Email Template Per job stage
• Limited AI Usage for Resume Achievements (5), Professional Summaries (2) and Cover Letter (1)
• Basic analysis in the resume builder
• Basic Resume Keyword Matching
• Everything in Teal Free
• Unlimited Advanced Resume Analysis
• Unlimited Resume Keyword Matching
• Unlimited AI Usage for Resume Achievements, Professional Summaries and Cover Letter
• Unlimited keywords (hard and soft skills) listed in the job tracker
• Unlimited Email Templates
• No ads across the entire platform
• 24/7 Email Support

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, our LinkedIn Resume Builder allows you to easily transform your LinkedIn profile into a professional resume in just a few clicks.

Simply enter your LinkedIn profile URL, and our tool will automatically import and structure your career details into a well-organized, optimized resume format.

Our tool is specifically designed to mirror the comprehensive details of your LinkedIn profile, ensuring consistency across your professional presence.

It pulls in your work history, education, skills, and achievements directly from LinkedIn and formats them into a cohesive resume, allowing for a streamlined and accurate reflection of your professional journey.

Absolutely, our LinkedIn Resume Builder is versatile and suitable for a wide range of industries and job levels.

Whether you're applying for your first job, seeking a managerial role, or transitioning careers, the tool adapts your LinkedIn content to create a resume that's tailored to your specific career goals and the job you're applying for.

Once your LinkedIn profile is imported, our tool offers a variety of customization options. You can edit text, reorder sections, add or remove details, and choose from different templates to match the resume to your personal style and the requirements of the job you're targeting. This ensures that your resume not only reflects your LinkedIn profile but is also tailored to each job application.

Better Resume. Faster Search. More Offers.

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When you visit our website, we will use cookies to make sure you enjoy your stay. We respect your privacy and we’ll never share your resumes and cover letters with recruiters or job sites. On the other hand, we’re using several third party tools to help us run our website with all its functionality.

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Create Resume from LinkedIn

Turn your LinkedIn profile into a resume.

You already have a resume. Now you only have to import it. Magically create a stunning CV using your LinkedIn profile in seconds!

Easy LinkedIn to Resume Converter

One-click LinkedIn resume import magic.

Why write a resume from scratch when you already have a fantastic LinkedIn profile? You can convert your painstakingly crafted LinkedIn profile into a stunning resume in seconds. There's no need for extra effort. Simply enter the URL of your LinkedIn profile, and you'll have your resume ready in no time. Import your LinkedIn profile now.

Better Than LinkedIn Resume Template

Make it look great with 40+ stunning templates.

Once you’ve imported your profile, you only need to pick a resume template and give your LinkedIn resume a bit of a personal touch. All of our resume templates were designed by professional typographers and are highly customizable. With more than one million possible design combinations, you can make your LinkedIn resume uniquely “you.” Explore all resume templates.

GPT-4 LinkedIn Resume Generator

Use AI to polish your newly imported resume.

Want to add a new section to your resume or improve an existing one? Brush up your LinkedIn resume with our AI Resume Rewriter. It can refine your resume and rewrite it in language that is professional and specific to your industry. Learn more about our AI Resume Rewriter.

Import your LinkedIn, get a resume. Then use our AI tools to make it better.

If you’ve already got a polished LinkedIn profile, why go through the same writing process again with your resume? After all, a good LinkedIn profile and a good resume have a lot in common. You can use that!

Simply import your LinkedIn profile to Kickresume and turn it into a sleek professional CV.

You can then use our AI toolkit to rewrite your resume , check it for errors with our resume checker , and even make it look super professional with our stunning resume templates . That is, if you feel like making your resume a bit more ‘extra’ and job-winning.

What are the benefits? Why import your LinkedIn profile instead of building a resume from scratch?

The following only apply if you’ve already got a good LinkedIn profile. But that shouldn’t be a problem — every ambitious job seeker should already have one!

In any case, here are some obvious and less obvious benefits of using our super easy LinkedIn-to-resume converter.

• Save time. You don’t have to write a resume from scratch. You can use the content from your LinkedIn profile.
• Done in a single press of a button. It’s quick and easy. Simply enter your profile’s url and press “Import”.
• It doesn’t end with importing the profile. You can (but don’t have to) use a wide array of our tools to give your resume an edge over others — you can scan it for improvements, get AI feedback, quickly generate a tailored cover letter, rewrite it with AI, and more.
• Tailor your resume to every job application. Any LinkedIn profile has one drawback — it’s one size fits all. A resume can be tailored to each job you apply to, which we would strongly advise you to do if you really want to land that job.

All in all, converting your LinkedIn profile into a resume gives you a good way out if you don’t want to waste time writing your resume from scratch. It’s quick, easy, and highly recommended!

How to download your resume from LinkedIn then? Is it just a single click and that’s it?

Yes! And no. But mostly yes! The thing is, there’s both a technical side and a content side to it.

While the technical side is pretty straightforward and quick, the content side of converting your LinkedIn profile to a resume can be a bit tricky. But that, of course, all depends on your profile.

How to download your resume from LinkedIn then?

• Go to the top of our LinkedIn profile to resume converter web page (you can also simply scroll up, it’s this very web page)
• Enter your LinkedIn profile’s address, and press the “Convert to Resume” button.
• Review your newly imported LinkedIn resume, pick an ATS-friendly template, use our AI Writer to rewrite it, analyze it with our resume checker — Kickresume gives you plenty of tools to make your LinkedIn resume stand out.

However, you probably wouldn’t want to stop there. Your LinkedIn profile — and, by extension, your newly imported resume — probably isn’t yet tailored to a specific job opening. Leaving it as such would be a missed opportunity.

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We believe that being loyal to you, our customers, always pays off. Kickresume was built on your trust and we don’t want to lose it. We don’t share your data with third parties unless you tell us to.

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Ai resume builder.

Let artificial intelligence write your resume. Our AI Resume Writer is powered by OpenAI’s GPT-4 language model and it can produce your first draft in seconds.

AI Cover Letter Builder

Try our AI Cover Letter Writer and produce a rock-solid cover letter in seconds. Most people struggle to find the right words for their cover letter. Let AI find them for you.

40+ ATS-Ready Templates

All resume and cover letter templates are customizable, ATS-friendly, and designed by a team of professional typographers and recruiters.

AI Resignation Letter Generator

Our AI Resignation Letter Writer will help you find the right words to quit your job and leave all bridges unburned.

Kickresume for Mobile

Create a perfect resume or cover letter from your mobile device. You can now access and edit your career documents from anywhere! Available on both iOS and Android.

1,500+ Resume Examples

Get inspired by resume and cover letter examples that helped real people land jobs with the world’s top companies. Search by company or job title.

Resume Checker

Find out how your resume compares against other successful resumes in our database. Receive your resume score and get personalized tips on how to improve it.

Website Builder

Turn your resume into a personal website with a single click. Choose from a number of customizable templates and let your future employer find you online.

Proofreading

Let our experienced human proofreaders make sure that your resume or cover letter have impeccable grammar. Don’t let a silly mistake ruin your chances of landing a job.

Your frequently asked questions.

If you don’t find answers to your questions here, don’t hesitate to ask. Our customer service team is always happy to help.

How to create a resume from LinkedIn?

You can easily import your LinkedIn profile to Kickresume and let the LinkedIn-to-resume converter do the rest. It only takes a few seconds.

This is how to create a resume from your LinkedIn profile:

• Open your LinkedIn profile.
• Select your profile’s public url (e.g. https://www.linkedin.com/in/your_name/) and press Ctrl+C (on Windows), or Command+C (on MacOS).
• Now go to Kickresume’s LinkedIn import website: Convert Your LinkedIn Profile to a Resume .
• Paste the link inside the designated field near the top of the page by pressing Ctrl+V (Windows) or Command+V (on MacOS).
• Press “Convert to Resume”. This will take you to the website’s sign up screen.
• Sign up using your preferred method (e.g. with your Google or Facebook account).
• Kickresume will now import your LinkedIn profile and convert it into a resume.
• Et voilà! You now have a complete resume in a random resume template from Kickresume.

How can I improve the resume I exported from LinkedIn?

Don’t forget to make at least some changes to your newly imported LinkedIn resume.

For instance, your resume can usually benefit from minor formatting changes , as some of the original LinkedIn formatting can get lost during the importing process.

You should also remove any LinkedIn-specific phrases from your new resume. You might not want phrase like “Let’s connect” or “Open to opportunities” appear on your resume.

Add resume-specific sections , such as hobbies or skills, and finally, tailor your new resume to each specific job opening you’re applying for.

Customize your resume’s visuals. You can choose from 40+ templates, explore more than one million design combinations, and make your resume more you.

Finally, you can even let AI rewrite your entire resume  using our AI Resume Rewriter . It’s easy to use and it will rewrite your resume in a language that sounds more professional.

I’ve created a resume from my LinkedIn profile. Can I download it for free?

Yes, you can. While it’s true that not all resume templates and customization options are free (we need to make money somehow), there are still several high-quality resume templates available.

At the end of the day, yes, you can download a full-fledged professional resume for free . Just make sure to avoid any features that are clearly marked with the “Premium” badge inside the app.

On the other hand, if you decide that you like the premium templates better — and would like to land your dream job faster with the help of Kickresume — you can always upgrade to Premium . We offer well-priced plans for every type of customer.

Can I customize the appearance of my new LinkedIn resume?

Yes! You can choose from more than 40 professionally-designed resume templates  and customize each template to your liking.

You can change nearly every part of your new resume. Each template comes with its own set of alternative color schemes and typefaces that were chosen by our expert typographers to complement the overall design.

What’s more, you can also create a cover letter with a design that matches your resume. We always create new templates in resume / cover letter pairs.

Ultimately, there are more than one million possible design combinations for you to explore. The sheer number of customization options gives you the ability to create a resume that stands out from the rest. All within reason, though — no matter how you customize your resume, our designers made sure it will always look good.

I’m having problems converting my LinkedIn to a resume. What should I do?

If you’re having problems converting your LinkedIn profile to a resume, there are two things you can do:

• Make sure your LinkedIn is filled with enough content.  Remember that an empty profile makes for an equally empty resume. Fill your LinkedIn profile with at least 200 words. For best results, you should have at least the About, Experience, and Education sections of your profile filled with content. The more the merrier.
• Make sure your profile is not set to private.  Our tool needs to have the ability to access your LinkedIn profile. If your profile is set to private, only your connections can view it. Set your profile to public and try importing your LinkedIn profile again.
• Make sure that your profile is more than 30 days old.  Sometimes it takes a few days for Kickresume to access your profile. While this usually takes less than the aforementioned 30 days, this time period gives us a bit of an overhead when diagnosing problems related to LinkedIn import.

If you’ve done all of the above and you’re still unable to turn your LinkedIn profile into a resume, please contact our customer support (click the speech bubble icon in the bottom-right corner). Our customer support team is always more than happy to help.

15 LinkedIn Summary Examples You Need to Read in 2024

Customers Interviewed by:

You might not realize it, but your LinkedIn summary section is one of the most important parts of your profile. 

Why? Because after the headline, the summary is the first thing visitors read when they check out your profile on LinkedIn. 

Think of your summary as an elevator pitch – you only have a few seconds to present yourself, so you need to make it count!

In this article, we will unpack everything you need to know about the LinkedIn summary section. 

We’ll also provide you with tips, strategies, and examples to help you create a powerful summary that will land you more job interviews.

In this article

What is a linkedin summary, how to write a linkedin summary that will get you noticed, linkedin summary examples, why is your linkedin summary so important, linkedin summary vs resume summary, linkedin summary faqs, key takeaways.

The LinkedIn summary, which is also called the “LinkedIn Bio” or “About Me” section, appears right underneath your photo on your profile page. 

The goal of your summary is to present a concise, yet compelling, snapshot of your professional identity.

With its 2,600 character limit , the summary gives you approximately 370 words to explain who you are, what you do, and what makes you unique.

Your summary is your best opportunity to make a good first impression on anyone who visits your LinkedIn profile , so don’t waste it!

A great LinkedIn summary can help you get noticed by potential employers and clients.

Here’s how to write a summary that will help you stand out.

1. Tell your story

Before you start writing your summary, remember that you want it to read more like a story than a resume.

This means you should try to avoid excessive bullet points and detailed work history and instead try to craft an engaging narrative that grabs the reader’s attention. 

2. Be conversational

Your writing style in your summary should be conversational. A conversational writing style is one that mimics the way people speak to each other in everyday life.

Conversational writing is meant to be easy to read and understand, as well as interesting and entertaining.

3. Hook the reader right away

Visitors to your profile page will only see the first 3 lines of your summary. Then they have to click “read more” to see the rest.

This means the first 3 lines are the most important part of your summary!

If you can hook readers with your first three lines, it’s much more likely they’ll want to read the rest of your summary and profile. 

“ Hook readers with the first 3 lines of your summary and they’ll want to read more .”

How do you hook your reader? Generally speaking, your opening should convey the number one thing you want your readers to know about you. 

What sets you apart from everyone else? What combinations of skills help you achieve results? Why do you love your work? What outstanding accomplishments do you have? 

Answering these questions can help you uncover a compelling opening statement.

94% of recruiters use LinkedIn to vet job candidates. Optimize your LinkedIn profile and show that you’re a recruiter’s perfect candidate.

Click here to start optimizing your LinkedIn profile

4. Be concise

Hiring managers and recruiters are busy people; they don’t have time to read a long, rambling essay. 

Keep your summary short and to the point. Try to focus on the most important information and leave out any fluff.

5. Write in the first person

When you write in the first person, you use pronouns such as “I,” “me,” and “my.” This gives your writing a more personal, authentic feel. 

For example, instead of saying “John Smith is a marketing professional with 10 years of experience,” you would say, “I am a marketing professional with 10 years of experience.”

Writing in the first person allows you to share your story in your own words. 

This can be especially powerful if you have a unique or inspiring story to share about your career journey.

6. Use the right keywords

When recruiters search for candidates on LinkedIn, they type in certain job-related keywords. These keywords can be skills, job titles, or industry jargon.

Try to include as many of these keywords in your summary as possible!

Why? Because using the right keywords will ensure that your profile shows up more often when recruiters type those keywords into the LinkedIn search bar. 

How do you find the right keywords to use? Simply scan the descriptions of the jobs you’re applying to and see what words appear most frequently. 

The quickest and easiest way to find relevant keywords is to use Jobscan’s LinkedIn Optimization Tool .

This tool uses intelligent technology to analyze your LinkedIn profile against jobs you’re interested in. 

It will show you exactly which keywords you should include in your LinkedIn summary and profile, and where to use them.

7. Focus on your strengths

When writing your summary, focus on your strengths and accomplishments. 

What are the initiatives that you’ve taken charge of? What have you done that you’re proud of? What accomplishments can you share that will impress others? 

As you talk about your accomplishments, weave in how your strengths helped you achieve them. This will show employers how you can help them and why they should choose you.

If you’re not sure what your strengths are, try asking other people what they think your strengths are. This can be done informally by asking friends, family, and colleagues for their input. 

You can also take a free personality test to find your true strengths. 

Learn more about how to discover your strengths and accomplishments:

• 39 Accomplishment Examples
• Simple Formula for Identifying Key Achievements

8. Discuss your background

While the LinkedIn summary is not the place to publish your autobiography, you do want to include enough information to give readers a good sense of your professional background.

If you have an extensive work history, you may want to focus on your most recent positions and highlight your key responsibilities in each role.

If you’re just starting out in your career, you can use your summary to discuss your educational background and any relevant internships or work experience you have.

9. Describe your current position

The simplest way to describe your current position in your LinkedIn summary is to just state your title and company. For example: “I am currently a software engineer at Google.”

If you want to elaborate further, you can include a brief description of your role or responsibilities. For example…

“My current position is as a Communications Strategist at an ad agency. I help develop and execute communications plans for our clients that help them achieve their business goals. I also manage a team of communication specialists who work on various accounts.

In my role, I often collaborate with account managers, creatives, and media teams to ensure that our client’s messages are effectively communicated to their target audiences.”

10. Detail your accomplishments

Don’t just list your accomplishments in the summary. There’s a separate section in LinkedIn for doing that. 

Remember, your LinkedIn summary should be an engaging narrative that tells the story of your professional life. So do your best to make it interesting and exciting to read!

When writing about your accomplishments, highlight those that are most relevant to the type of job or industry you are targeting. 

If you have a long and impressive list of accomplishments, mention only those that demonstrate your skills and abilities in the most positive light. 

11. Include numbers and data

Whenever possible, try to include numbers and data in your summary. 

Numbers not only attract attention, but they can give your readers a more concrete understanding of your skills and experience. 

You might tell readers how many years you’ve been working in your field, or highlight specific projects you’ve worked on that were particularly successful.

For example, you could say “Managed a team of 12 people” or “Increased sales by 20%”.

Whatever numbers and data you choose to include, make sure they’re relevant and interesting – otherwise, you risk boring your reader!

12. Highlight relevant skills and talents

Try to add as many relevant skills and talents to your summary as possible, while still keeping it interesting and readable.

This is important because skills and talents serve as the primary source of keywords that recruiters are searching for. 

You can incorporate these keywords into your summary with examples of how you utilized your skills and talents to excel in your current role, as well as in previous roles. 

However, try to avoid skills that are too basic for your current professional level. For example, if you’re an IT specialist, mentioning MS Office would be strange.

One way to find the most relevant keywords for your summary is to use Jobscan’s LinkedIn Optimization Tool.

It works by analyzing your LinkedIn profile against jobs you’re interested in. This tool is super easy to use and will help you land more job interviews!

13. Show some personality

As mentioned earlier, your LinkedIn summary is one of the most important aspects of your profile because it’s an opportunity for you to show off your personality. 

To do this, make sure you write conversationally, which means using language that sounds natural and human. 

In addition, try to feature some personal details and interests so that people can get to know you better and decide whether you’d fit within a company’s culture.

Most importantly, be yourself! Don’t try to copy someone else’s style or tone.

“ Be yourself! Don’t try to copy someone else .”

However, it’s important to strike the right balance. You want to come across as genuine and likable, but you also don’t want to overshare or seem unprofessional. 

A little bit of personality goes a long way on LinkedIn!

14. State your future ambitions

Sharing your professional ambitions on your LinkedIn summary can help recruiters decide whether you’d be a good fit for their organization.

You can do this by:

• Being clear and concise about what you want to achieve.
• Making sure your goals are realistic and achievable.
• Connecting your ambitions to your overall career strategy. 

Stating your future ambitions like this will help you to stand out from the competition and increase your chances of being hired for the role.

15. Include a call to action

The final lines of your summary should include a call to action (CTA). The purpose of the CTA is to urge readers to connect with you in some way. 

Here’s an example of a CTA:

“If you’re interested in learning more about my professional journey, connect with me on LinkedIn!”

Pretty simple, isn’t it? Your CTA can also prompt readers to visit your website or contact you for more information.

Including a call to action in your LinkedIn summary is a great way to encourage readers to take a specific, desired action that will help you achieve your objectives.

16. Make use of whitespace

Your LinkedIn summary should NOT be one big block of text. That’s visually unappealing and hard to read.

Instead, use whitespace to break up your text. 

You can do this by using short paragraphs . Breaking your text up into small chunks like this makes it easier for readers to digest. 

“ Break up your text into small chunks to make it easier to digest .”

Another way to use whitespace effectively is by including relevant images and videos. This can help break up your text and add visual interest. 

Just make sure that any images or videos you include are high-quality and relevant to your content.

Overall, using whitespace effectively can help make your LinkedIn summary more engaging and easier to read. So don’t be afraid to use it!

17. Add relevant attachments

Adding attachments to your LinkedIn summary can help you stand out and showcase your work in a more professional light.

By including links to PDFs, slideshows, or even video clips, you can give potential employers or clients a more well-rounded view of your skills and experience. 

Plus, it can help demonstrate your ability to use technology to your advantage, which is helpful for most jobs these days.

We just went over some important tips and strategies that can help you create a powerful LinkedIn summary. 

Now let’s look at some actual real-life LinkedIn bio examples !

NOTE : Take inspiration from these sample LinkedIn summaries but DO NOT copy them.

LinkedIn summary examples for students

Linkedin summary examples for recent graduates, linkedin summary examples for career changers, linkedin summary examples for entrepreneurs, linkedin summary examples for professionals and job seekers.

A good LinkedIn summary is not only important for experienced professionals, it’s also important for students who are not yet in the workforce, still working on a college degree, or applying for internships. 

Here are three examples of how to “work with what you’ve got” and make a great first impression on LinkedIn.

Daniel R., Public Policy Analysis Student

Why this works : This summary is clear and concise , easy to read, and outlines both the skills gained from classwork and an internship.  

Sarah T., Arts and Culture Management Student

Why this works: This is an excellent example of leaning on your personal character qualities and providing clear examples of how they will enhance your ability to do the job well. 

At the internship level, you don’t have to provide a ton of experience to be well-suited for the roles. Sharing about your personality and values can be equally important.

Kelly L., Digital Arts & Sciences Student

Why this works: Another clever strategy is to expound on the unique learning opportunities you’ve experienced in college. 

Study abroad experiences, volunteer work, and personal passion projects can all be useful ways to express the value you have to offer.

As a recent graduate, you should focus on your academic achievements, internships or other relevant experience, and extracurricular activities that demonstrate your skills and interests. 

Keep your summary concise and clear, and try to convey your personality. The goal is to present yourself as someone people would want to connect with.

Tiffinni S., International Finance and International Economics

Why this works: This is a very concise, yet detailed, summary. Tiffinni starts off by injecting some personality, then quickly outlines her academic career, her skills and talents, and her work experience. 

Megan M., Criminal Justice

Why this works: While this summary could have used whitespace more effectively, Megan does a great job conveying her passion and focusing on the strengths that will make her an excellent asset for any organization.

Anthony F, Accounting and Finance

Why this works: Anthony does a great job of expressing his personality in the first couple of lines. He then discusses his academic achievements, extracurricular activities, and his ambitions for the future. 

He not only tells his story , but he makes it appealing to read by breaking up the text and keeping things concise.

If you’re changing your career, your LinkedIn profile summary should highlight any transferable skills , relevant coursework, or volunteer experiences that show you have what it takes to succeed in your new chosen profession. 

You can also include a sentence or two about your professional goals to give your profile some direction.

Jacob H., Airline Pilot to Aviation Technical Writer

Why this works: The first 3 lines of this summary tell the reader exactly who Jacob is and what his career change involves. It’s a perfect elevator pitch!

He also provides specific examples of how his previous experience is relevant to his new dream job, and the efforts he’s making to close any gaps in his education or training.

Michael R., Staffing/Recruiting Account Manager to Software Sales Account Executive

Why this works:  This is a good LinkedIn summary outline to follow for a career change , particularly if you’re looking to stay in the same general line of work but shifting industries or niches. 

Michael also does a great job of highlighting his experience and skills that are relevant to his new career direction.

Every entrepreneur is unique, but there are a couple of things that all great LinkedIn summaries for entrepreneurs have in common. 

• The summary should show off the entrepreneur’s personality and give readers a sense of what it would be like to work with them. 
• The summary should demonstrate why the entrepreneur is an expert in their field and why someone should consider doing business with them.

Here are some examples:

Cassandra C., Online Business & Marketing Mentor

Why this works: Cassandra’s summary clearly conveys two things – her passion for helping people grow their business and her many years of experience . 

Her summary brims with energy and confidence, and clearly demonstrates why she is an expert in her field. 

Gillian H., Content And Copywriting Strategist

Why this works: Entrepreneurs can also craft a summary that reads more like a sales pitch .

This type of summary should clearly explain what you do and how you can help people. Make sure you’re not being overly sales-y!

Michelle G., Photographer And Graphic Designer

Why this works: It’s especially important for entrepreneurs to stand out from the crowd, and a good way to do this is to write a summary with a unique voice .

In this summary, Michelle showcases her playful personality while still providing evidence of her expertise. 

If you decide to create a summary like this, make sure that you don’t forget to include important keywords and that your style aligns with your audience’s sensibilities.

If you’re a professional, the LinkedIn summary is a great opportunity to showcase your unique value proposition , which shows prospective employers what you can bring to the table and what sets you apart from everyone else. 

Daniel C., Customer Experience Specialist

Why this works: Daniel’s personality shines through his summary, but most importantly he demonstrates his process , which allows prospective employers to see exactly how he would approach the work.

Jessica L., Software Engineer

Why this works: Not everyone is a writer and not every job will care if you can craft a narrative in your summary. 

If you’re not sure what else to do, use the summary to clearly lay out your skills, tech proficiencies, and certifications .

Alaina C., Social Media Director

Why this works: Short, easy-to-read sentences keep this summary moving while still providing important information about who the writer is beyond just a description of their job. 

This is an excellent example of providing a holistic viewpoint of an individual, beyond just the hard skills.

Alison H., SEO Content Writer

Why this works:  Alison’s summary uses numbers in the opening line, which is a great way to grab the reader’s attention and entice them to learn more. 

Presenting the results of her personality test provides a different perspective to not only her skills, but how she might approach different situations in the workplace.

LinkedIn is one of the first places recruiters and hiring managers go to learn about and find prospective employees. 

In fact, studies show that 6 people are hired on LinkedIn every minute !

That’s why it’s so important to create a strong, compelling LinkedIn summary that highlights your professional accomplishments and skills.

“ Six people are hired on LinkedIn every minute, so try to create a strong, compelling summary. “

But your LinkedIn summary is important for another reason – it’s a great way to set yourself apart from everyone else. 

LinkedIn has over 800 million users. That’s a lot of competition! A compelling summary can help you stand out from the crowd. 

The summary section is also important because it allows you to inject a little personality into your profile. It’s where you can truly express yourself and tell your story. 

What motivates you? What kind of experiences have you had? What are you passionate about? 

Adding some non-professional details about yourself can breathe life into your summary, making you more attractive to prospective employers.  

Finally, your LinkedIn summary is important because you can include keywords that recruiters are searching for. 

These keywords are usually related to:

• Hard skills
• Soft skills
• Industry keywords

Having these keywords in your summary strengthens the searchability of your profile, giving you a leg up on the competition.

Even if you’ve uploaded a great profile photo , customized your LinkedIn headline , created a cover story video , and listed all your work and education history , leaving the summary section blank or just typing a short tagline that’s better suited for a headline is a huge missed opportunity .

If you need help fully optimizing your LinkedIn summary and profile for searchability, try Jobscan’s LinkedIn Optimization Tool . 

This tool will analyze your LinkedIn profile against jobs you’re interested in to show you exactly which keywords you should be including in your profile. 

Many job seekers make the mistake of writing their LinkedIn summary the same way they write their resume summary.

A resume summary is a short, clear statement at the top of your resume that highlights your most relevant qualifications and experiences.

Resume summaries should be formal and AVOID using casual and overly personal language. 

LinkedIn summaries , on the other hand, should be informal and INCLUDE casual and personal language (while still remaining professional).

LinkedIn summaries give you a chance to tell your story in a personal way .

Your story is what makes you unique and interesting , so don’t be afraid to share it!

How long should a LinkedIn summary be?

Most recruiters and hiring managers agree that a LinkedIn summary should be around three paragraphs , or approximately 300 words. 

This length allows you to provide enough information to give readers a good sense of who you are and what you do, without overwhelming them or causing them to lose interest.

Can your LinkedIn summary be the same as your resume summary?

No, your LinkedIn summary should NOT be the same as your resume summary.

Both summaries should feature your skills, qualifications, and experience, but your LinkedIn summary should be more informal in tone and style than your resume summary.

Remember, your LinkedIn summary should offer a taste of your personality while telling your story. It should also show businesses how you can help them achieve their goals.

How do I write a LinkedIn summary if I have no experience?

If you have no experience, your best bet is to focus on what skills and qualities you DO possess that could make you a valuable asset to a potential employer.

In your summary, highlight any relevant coursework, volunteer work, internships, or extracurricular activities that demonstrate your ability to perform well in a professional setting. 

Be sure to include any skills that could be transferable to a new job, such as excellent communication or writing abilities. 

Also mention anything else that makes you stand out, such as foreign language fluency or computer proficiency. 

What should I write in my LinkedIn summary if I am unemployed?

If you’re unemployed, your LinkedIn summary should focus on what kind of job you’re looking for and what kinds of skills and experience you have that make you a good fit for that type of job.

You don’t need to include the fact that you’re unemployed on your LinkedIn summary. You could just say you’re currently looking for new opportunities .

You can also use your summary to highlight any volunteer work or other activities you’ve been involved in that show you’re still active and engaged, even if you’re not currently employed.

What do most people put in their LinkedIn summary?

Most people include their current and previous job titles, as well as a brief overview of their work experience and skills. Some also choose to include their education, volunteer work, or other relevant information. 

In general, your LinkedIn summary should give potential employers or business connections a snapshot of who you are professionally and what you have to offer. 

• The summary is also called the “LinkedIn Bio” or “About Me” section. 
• It’s a concise, yet compelling, snapshot of your professional identity.
• Open with the number one thing you want your readers to know about you.
• Your summary should read more like a story than a resume.
• Try to inject a little of your personality into your summary. 
• Include keywords that recruiters are searching for. 
• Be concise and write in the first person.
• Focus on your strengths – if you’re not sure, ask people you know.
• Highlight relevant accomplishments and experience.
• Whenever possible, try to include numbers and data .
• Include a simple call to action at the end of your summary. 
• Use whitespace to make your summary more inviting and easier to read.

Finally, try to use a little creativity and have fun when creating your LinkedIn summary! 

Not only will your summary help you network and connect with potential employers, but it will also give you a chance to show off your personality and highlight your unique skills and experience.

For more information about writing a strong LinkedIn profile check out our LinkedIn Profile Writing Guide . 

And if you really want to take your LinkedIn profile to the next level, try Jobscan’s LinkedIn Optimization Tool .

This tool is easy to use and will increase the searchability of your profile so that recruiters and hiring managers are more likely to find it – resulting in more job opportunities!

Related articles:

28 LinkedIn Profile Tips to Supercharge Your Job Opportunities

27+ Free Certifications to Add to Your Resume in 2024

What Is An ATS? 8 Things You Need to Know About Applicant Tracking Systems

Robert Henderson, CPRW, is a career advice writer and a resume expert at Jobscan.

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How to Write a Resume: The Only Resume Guide You’ll Need in 2024

• Kaja Jurcisinova , 
• Updated January 16, 2024 16 min read

Your resume is arguably the most important document you'll create during a job search. So taking the time to learn how to write a resume properly can make a job hunt much quicker and easier.  

What would otherwise take you hours of hard work and research can be done in a few minutes. All you have to do is follow our simple step-by-step guide on how to write the perfect resume. 

In the end, a good resume gives you a chance to make a great first impression and ultimately decide if you'll be invited for an interview. 

What makes a great resume?

• Clear division of resume sections
• Prioritizing relevant information
• Tailored for a specific position
• Typo-free and well-written
• Usage of bullet points

There's more to it, though.

Table of Contents

Click on a section to skip

What is a resume?

Before you start writing your resume, how to write a resume, step 1: choose the right resume format, step 2: add contact information and personal details, step 3: begin with your professional summary, step 4: list relevant work experience, step 5: summarize your education , step 6: highlight your soft and hard skills , step 7: add optional resume sections.

• Step 8: Wrap it up with a cover letter 

Final tips before you click “Send”

Let's cover the basics first. Before we learn how to write a good resume, we should know what a resume even is. 

The word resume comes from French, meaning “summary” . This is the perfect word because that’s exactly what a resume is: a short, straight-to-the-point summary that details your professional achievements, skills, qualifications, education, work experience, and past employers. It's also known as a curriculum vitae (CV) .

The aim of a resume is to get invited to a job interview . It should aim to convince an employer that you're a good fit for the job. 

Because of that, your resume should be adjusted and tailored to each job vacancy.

TL;DR Here's a step-by-step video guide on how to write a professional resume in 2024

If you’re already familiar with what should be on your resume and just want a quick and informative recap, or if your time is limited, just check out our 5-minute step-by-step video guide .

Before we move on to how to write a resume, we recommend setting a few minutes aside for research. These few minutes can save you hours of frustration and ultimately make your job search that much easier.

Here’s what we recommend to research before you write your resume: 

• Research the company, specifically the “About Us” page. This is a great place to search for keywords you can use in your resume or cover letter. What are their mission statement and their values?
• Research the position you’ll be applying for. Great resumes are tailored to a specific job opening. You can do this by asking these three questions as you go through the job post: “ What are the essential keywords? What adjectives, nouns, and phrases occur repeatedly? What language does the company use?”
• Discover your strong points , as this will make it easier to pinpoint the qualities you want to highlight in your resume. Ask people around you: “What are my skills and abilities, and what are my weaknesses?” Also, look at your past accomplishments. What were the skills and abilities that helped you succeed in the past?

Another way of preparing for writing your resume is by looking at these well-researched, specifically tailored, and properly formatted resume examples in our database. You can even filter them by your job title.

Not enough time?

Let your resume write itself. All you’ll have left to do is edit the draft.

We'll walk you through nine essential steps to help you create a standout resume.

Different resume formats cater to different types of job seekers, depending on the experience level and career goals. The  three most commonly used  resume formats are chronological, functional, and combination (hybrid).

Your resume should include your contact/personal information right at the top, in a so-called resume header. A resume header is  more than just your name and contact details . Depending on your career path, there's a lot more that can (and should) be included in this section. To find out what to include, what to skip, and how to format it keep on reading.

A professional summary (also called resume profile or resume summary) is a short paragraph that summarizes your relevant skills, experiences, and achievements. Think of it as a teaser for the rest of your resume.

This is the most important section of your resume. You need to include key information like : names of companies, locations, job titles, positions held, dates of employment, responsibilities you've had. Then: - list the jobs in reverse-chronological order - write in bullet points - include your quantifiable achievements - avoid buzzwords - use action verbs and keywords from the job description

The education summary section, though important, varies in significance based on your career stage . As an experienced professional, prioritize work history and skills, placing education after. Keep it concise, including university, degree, and graduation year.

Skills fall into two categories: hard and soft. 1. Hard skills are teachable and measurable, acquired through training, and include computer proficiency, language abilities, project management, etc. 2. Soft skills , linked to personality traits, can enhance both work and personal life, encompassing communication, leadership, and time management, among others.

These can include: achievements and awards, certifications and licences, language skills, publications, references, hobbies, social media, volunteering, or custom sections.

A good cover letter should answer the following questions: 1. Who are you?  2. Why are you interested in working for their company? 3. Why are you the best fit for the job opening? 4. How can you enrich their company?

In the following chapters, we look at each step in more detail and give you helpful tips and examples.

Once you know what the company and job require and you’ve identified your strengths and weaknesses, you should be ready to pick the right resume format.  

Make this choice depending on the stage of your career: 

• Are you a seasoned professional ? Then you should pick a resume format that emphasizes your experience.
• Are you a fresh graduate? Then your resume should highlight any transferable skills you’ve acquired during your studies.
• Are you changing careers? Then a combination of the two will produce the best results.

Pick the best option for your career from the three dominant resume formats that are in use today:

• Chronological resume format. Probably the best choice for experienced professionals. Lists the candidate’s jobs and accomplishments in chronological order. Main resume section : Work Experience.
• Functional resume format. Great for fresh graduates, IT professionals, or other skill-based professions. Emphasizes skills instead of experience. Main resume section: Skills.
• Combined resume format . A combination of the previous two.

Let's take a look at what these resume formats look like in practice:

Chronological resume format

Functional resume format, combined resume format.

The resume format you choose will determine how you organize the information on your resume. It will also attract attention to some things and away from others. 

Take time to understand your strengths and weaknesses and choose accordingly.

You want the recruiter to read the strongest and most relevant parts of your resume at the start. For more, check out a guide on how to choose the right resume format .

Your contact/personal information should always be at the top of your resume in a so-called resume header .

Compared to the other resume sections, filling in the contact information section may seem super easy. That's until you start asking more questions.

Should you put your address on the resume? How to include social media , and should you? And what about the date of birth? 

Well, let’s see: 

• Name. Absolutely necessary. Put your first name first and surname last. Middle name is optional.
• Title. Optional. If you’re applying for a position in a traditional or specialized field, it's good to add your Ph.D., MBA, or other titles to it.
• Email address. Absolutely necessary, even when you’re sending your application by email. Your email address should look professional (e.g. [email protected] , NOT [email protected] ). Always use your personal email address, not the email address with the domain of your current employer. 
• Home address. Somewhat problematic. Your neighborhood can say a lot about you in some cases, disclosing living in a certain area can lead to discrimination. On the other hand, if you’re located in the same city as the company, it may help you to get the job, as it saves the company that they'd have to spend on a relocation package (of course, only if the job isn't remote).
• Phone number. Necessary. Many employers will call you by phone to arrange an interview, instead of doing it by email.
• LinkedIn. Recommended. And if you don’t have a LinkedIn profile yet, consider creating one. Make sure your profile is complete and up-to-date.
• Social media. Optional. Include it only if it’s related to your job. GitHub, Behance, and even your Facebook or Instagram profile will do (if you regularly post content that has to do with your profession). Here are a few tips on how to include your social media . 
• Blog/website. Optional. Similar to social media. If you have a blog , website, or digital portfolio related to your chosen profession, don’t be afraid to show it off.
• Photo. Problematic. It depends on the country. In most English-speaking countries, they don’t add a photo. See this guide to know if you should put a picture on your resume .

Your professional summary should be a list of about 4-5 bullet points or a short paragraph that summarizes your relevant skills, experiences, and achievements.

You can think of it as a teaser for the rest of your resume. Make sure it’s interesting enough to hook the hiring manager right in.

But how do you write a good professional summary?

• Write your professional summary last. It’s surprisingly easy to do if you’ve already finished other sections of your resume.
• The first bullet point should describe your professional title. Don’t forget to add the number of years of experience. Write it in bold if the number is especially impressive.
• Pick the most impressive parts of your resume and rewrite them into snappy bullet points. Tease your potential employer into reading further.
• Pack your professional summary with relevant keywords. Think of ATS. This will help you get through automated pre-screenings.
• Quantify every achievement if possible. This will make you look even more professional. 
• Tie every bullet point to the requirements introduced in the job offer.

If you do everything right, you should end up with something like this:

The work experience section is what most people picture when they think “resume” .

The trick is to focus on your past achievements , not your responsibilities. 

Hiring managers are likely to know what your responsibilities were supposed to be. In most cases, your job title says it all.

If you want to stand out, you should tell them how you excelled in your previous job instead. 

And there’s hardly a more effective way to do that than by mentioning your achievements.

But how do you list your work experience on a resume?

• Put your work experience section in the right spot. If you can boast a lot of professional experience, put your work experience section right under your resume summary. If you don’t have enough experience yet, put it just below your education section. Finally, if you prefer to highlight your skills instead of experience, put your skills section first.
• Give it a proper heading. Keep it simple and stick to “Work Experience” or “Employment History” as other headings might not be understood by applicant tracking systems (ATS) .
• List your jobs in reverse-chronological order. Start with your most recent experience and work your way back from there. Based on your level of experience, decide how far back should your resume go .
• Don’t include the job description. Instead of listing what you were supposed to do, try to tell your potential employers what positive results you had.
• Write in past tense. This will help you focus on your past achievements instead of responsibilities. It also sounds better.
• Show your problem-solving skills. In the end, hiring managers want to know how effective you’re going to be in solving real problems. There’s no better way to show your problem-solving ability than to briefly describe how you solved difficult problems in the past. Follow the PAR scheme: What was the (P)roblem? What (A)ction did you take? What was the (R)esult?
• Quantify results. Hiring managers love measurable results. Because of that, a single number often speaks more than a thousand words. Don’t say that you “increased the company’s revenue significantly.” Instead, don’t be afraid to brag about “increasing the company’s revenue by 20%.”
• Use bullet points. Bullet points help you structure each subsection. Try to limit yourself to about 5 bullets per job.
• Avoid buzzwords. People used some phrases in their resumes so much, these words have become meaningless. Everybody seems to be an out-of-the-box creative thinker with a knack for innovation nowadays. But in reality, only very few people really are those things. See what other 10 buzzwords you should stop using on your resume
• Use action verbs . Unlike buzzwords, action verbs carry the weight you need to persuade an employer to hire you. Just to mention a few, these are words like “developed” , “increased” , “facilitated” and others. For more action verbs, check out our resume cheat sheet .
• Keywords. Reread the job description and carefully pick the most important keywords. These are the words that best describe the position you’re applying for, and that will attract the attention of the ATS system. 

In the end, your work experience section should look a bit like this:

The education summary section is where you list your degrees and relevant academic accomplishments.

Based on your degree and where you're in your career, it can be either the least or the most important part of your resume.

Are you an experienced professional?

Once you become more experienced, the education section takes a back seat to your work history and hard skills.

In other words, your education section should come after your work experience section, not the other way around. It also shouldn't be too long. For instance, your grades are no longer relevant.  

It’s enough if you include the name of your university, the name of your degree, and the year you graduated.

Here’s an example:

Are you a fresh graduate?

Then your degree is still one of the strongest cards you have to play.

In practical terms, it means that you should place your education section at the top of your resume — right between your professional summary and work experience section.

It should also be a bit longer. 

These are the things you should add to your education section if you’re a student or a fresh graduate:

• Academic awards. AP scholar, Duke of Edinburgh award, National Merit Award, President’s Award, school subject-based awards, dean’s list, etc.
• Scholarships. Athletic scholarships, scholarships for women, creative scholarships, etc.
• Academic conferences and symposia. Don’t forget to mention the scope and name of the paper you presented at a conference.
• Relevant student societies. Debating or programming clubs. If you were on a student committee of any kind, mention that too.
• GPA. Only include your GPA if it was higher than 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. If your overall GPA was lower, mention your overall GPA. Alternatively, mention your summa cum laude or magna cum laude .
• Academic publications. Producing an academic work worth publishing is impressive no matter the context.

In the end, your education section can look like this:

Before you start writing, you should know there are two types of skills : hard skills and soft skills.

1. Hard skills can be learned, taught, and most importantly — measured. Acquiring them requires deliberate effort, training, and time.

Hard skills can be, for instance: computer skills, language skills, manual skills, mathematics, project management, etc.

2. Soft skills are tied to your personality traits. These skills can come as part of your upbringing, or you can acquire some later in life through self-improvement. These skills can bring value to any job, as well as your private life.

Examples of soft skills include: communication, leadership, time management , creativity, decision-making, etc.

But how to make your skills stand out?

• Focus on what’s most relevant. Do you have any of the skills mentioned in the advertisement for your desired job? Good. Make sure to include them in your resume’s skills section.
• Organize your skills into subcategories. Divide your skills section into several subsections like computer skills, soft skills, languages, and others.
• Don’t underestimate soft skills. 67 percent of HR managers said they’d hire a candidate with strong soft skills even if their technical abilities were lacking. On the contrary, only 9 percent would hire someone with strong technical credentials but weak soft skills.
• There are skills you shouldn’t include. Never include any skills you don’t have, skills that have nothing to do with the job, skills everybody should have, or skills that have become obsolete.

Apart from the standard resume sections we just mentioned above, are also optional sections. 

A good rule of thumb is to add an optional section only if it's relevant to the job you're applying for. If done properly, these sections can help you:

• Fill the gap when lacking experience
• Highlight additional skills and expertise 
• Let an employer know more about who you are

Pro tip: Optional resume sections can be especially important to companies that prioritize hiring candidates who fit their workplace culture. 

Here are some of the most common optional sections: 

Technical skills

This section can be a nice addition when applying for (surprise!) technical jobs. 

Some examples of technical skills are: programming languages, software proficiency, project management, and data analysis.

Technical skills are usually measurable, so if you decide to include them in your resume, use a graph or a scale to illustrate how strong they are. Adding visual elements to your resume not only looks nice but also shows your ability to be precise and analytical.

Achievements and awards

Scholarships, competitions, work-related awards, or even promotions to leadership positions in your job — all of these can be considered important professional achievements. 

Either distribute them across other parts of your resume or put them in a dedicated section. The latter allows you to truly highlighted them. 

And if you choose to include them in a separate resume section, don't forget to mention the dates and the name of the company/institution at which you've accomplished the achievement. 

Professional references

In today's competitive job market, strong professional references can be a game-changer. Consider including a ' Professional References ' section in your resume to provide potential employers with easy access to these valuable resources.

How to format references on resume? Here's what you should list for each reference:

• Their full name
• Their current job title and organization
• Their contact details (email and phone number will do)
• Your relationship with them (e.g., Former Supervisor)

Ensure you have their permission and inform them when actively job searching.

Once you decide who you want your references to be, it's time to ask them if they agree. Here's how to ask someone to be a reference via email .

Certifications and licenses

Listing the certificates and courses that you've successfully completed on your resume is never a mistake.

However, keep in mind that they should be related to the role that you're applying for. 

If you'd like to add a certificate to your CV but you're unsure about where to find the best course for you, check out this carefully curated list of the best online courses that will help you to get a job. 

Publications

In this section, you can mention all the relevant conferences, presentations, and written publications. 

This section is most useful if you're working in academia, marketing, or journalism. 

However, include it in your resume also if you're applying for a position that requires you to be an expert on the topic that you've written about.

Volunteering

This section lists your volunteer work . It should be treated similarly to a work experience section. The reason is that whether your work was paid or not, it still translates to real-life experience. 

This is true especially if you find yourself at the beginning of your career. In that case, feel free to place the volunteering section towards the start of your resume. 

On the other hand, if you're a seasoned professional, locate this section more toward the end of your document. 

This is the part of your resume that's the most personal. Here, let a little loose and let your personality shine through. List you hobbies and interests, even the quirky or unique ones.

Hobbies serve as a great way for a hiring manager to see you more as a person and less as just a name written on a paper. They can also break the ice during the interview stage.

Christy's word of advice

Really, it sounds so simple, but one of the best ways to stand out with your resume is to apply for jobs you’re a close fit for. So many people apply ‘just in case they’ll consider me if even I only meet some of the requirements’, then feel deflated when they’re rejected. The company has spent time figuring out exactly what they need and are paying their staff or a recruiter to find that. Look closely at the minimum/essential requirements, apply for jobs you’re a great fit for, and you’ll have much better luck!

Christy Morgan, Resident HR Expert

Step 8: Wrap it up with a cover letter  

Phew! Almost done with how to write a resume. Just a little bit of editing and proofreading, picking the right resume template , and you should be able to click send, right? 

Well, not quite. At least we wouldn’t recommend you sending it —  yet. 

The truth is that resumes are often put aside when not accompanied by a cover letter. It would be a shame if this happened to you, especially after all the time you’ve spent creating it. 

A good cover letter is a way to stand apart from the competition. It’s where you can show your hiring manager you mean business. 

And, if you're fresh out of college or changing career this step-by-step guide on  how to write a cover letter with no experience  will show you what to focus on instead. 

Here are 4 questions to guide you while writing your cover letter: 

• Who are you (professionally)? 
• Why are you interested in working for their company?
• Why are you the best fit for the job opening?
• How can you enrich their company?

When all it’s said and done, your cover letter should look something like this:

Cover letter example

This cover letter sample was provided by a real person who got hired with Kickresume’s help.

Want more inspo? Browse another 1,250+ cover letter examples by your profession.

And if you really want a memorable cover letter, we’ve got you covered. In fact, we’re certain it will be the only cover letter guide you’ll ever need . 

• The older the job, the fewer the details. In other words, don’t have 13 bullet points on a job from 5 years ago.
• Use off-peak hours for maximum attention , especially if you’re reaching out to an employer directly. Hiring managers are busy people and you want them to receive your resume when they have enough time to carefully read through it.
• Check your resume for typos. If English isn't your first language, employers might be inclined to overlook any grammatical mistakes that you make in your resume. Typos, on the other hand, are unforgivable. Your computer’s spell-check feature can help you fix that.
• Customize your resume for each job application. Every employer is different. And any hiring manager can tell if you’ve just sent them the same generic resume as to everyone else. So make sure you tailor your resume to each individual employer to increase your chances of getting hired.
• Get the introductory email right. It doesn’t matter that you have the best resume ever if nobody gets to read it. Attach it to an email that catches the employer’s attention from the get-go. Pay particular attention to the subject line that will make them read the full email, including the attachments.

FAQ: How to write a resume

One to two pages is the ideal. If you're at the junior stage of your career, one page is more than enough. Similarly, make sure that your resume isn't longer than three pages (and this may be stretching it already), even if you're a CEO.

Generally speaking, content is superior to form when it comes to resumes. However, a nice design is the first thing that catches the recruiter's attention — and that's precisely what you want. Moreover, if you're looking for a job in marketing, art, or design, the design of your resume naturally becomes your selling point, too.

Typos, being too general and not specific enough, not including relevant information, not using action verbs, and writing about duties instead of accomplishments.

The best format for sending a resume is PDF, as it keeps the visuals of the resume unchanged once the document is opened by the recruiter.

1.  Include standard resume sections.  Contact information, resume summary, work experience, education, skills. 2.  Include optional resume sections.  Awards, references, certifications, publications, projects, etc. 3.  Choose a resume format.  The three standard are: chronological, functional, combination.  4.  Use bullet points.  Use bullet points to make your resume easier to scan and highlight important information quickly.  6.  Think about the  margins .  Strike a good balance between not leaving too much white space and making your resume seem cluttered.  7.  Keep it to  one-two pages .  Unless you have extensive work experience, you should generally aim to keep your resume to one page.  8.  Consistency is key.  In all aspects of your resume, including the spacing, font, margins, etc. 9.  Use a professional resume   template  or layout which helps to structure the information effectively and makes it easy to read. 

Good job, you made it! If you still need more information on how to write a resume. You can go further in-depth in our section-by-section resume guide .

This article was recently updated. The original article was written by Noel Rojo in 2019.

Kaja Jurcisinova is a junior copywriter at Kickresume. Kaja completed her undergraduate degree in Art History at the University of St Andrews in 2018 and graduated with a Master’s in Arts and Culture from the University of Groningen in 2021. She was an intern at multiple cultural institutions across Europe, including the Dutch Museum Association in Amsterdam, the Matter of Art Biennale in Prague, and the European Cultural Centre in Venice. At the moment, she resides in Visby on the Swedish island of Gotland.

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How to Show Promotion on Resume & LinkedIn (+Examples)

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• How to write the perfect CV

A job applicant walks into a bar

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I MAGINE MEETING a stranger at a party. What makes for a successful encounter? Lesson one is to heed the wisdom of a shampoo commercial from the 1980s: you never get a second chance to make a first impression. Lesson two is to remember that you do not need to wear a beret or a fur stole in order to stand out. Lesson three is not to forget that what you leave out matters as much as what you say.

These same principles, it turns out, apply to writing a CV . A résumé is not a list of every job you ever had. It is not your autobiography. It is, like that hair-care advert, a marketing tool. Your audience is made up of recruiters and hiring managers. Like cocktail-party guests, they do not take a long time to decide if they want to keep talking. According to one study, such professionals spend an average of 7.4 seconds skimming a job application. Your guest Bartleby has a few tips on how best to ensure that these seconds count.

The CV ’s number-one task is not to put the reader off. If you are thinking of adding a watermark with your initials, think again; you are trying too hard. Use a clean, simple format and avoid fancy fonts (Arial or Helvetica are fine; Century Gothic is not).

Adding colour does not mean using a teal background. Nor does it mean using purple prose. Clichés can be a reason you are passed over for an interview. So can typos; spell-check and proofread over and over. You would be surprised how often someone forgets to include their name and contact details. Dispense with hackneyed descriptors (“cultivated and passionate professional”, “a keen eye for detail”)—facts should speak for themselves. But not all facts. You may think including your ranking on “Overwatch” is a quirky way to illustrate how quick you are on your feet. A recruiter may conclude that it shows you spend hours on the sofa tethered to a gaming console.

Do not hammer your CV out in an hour—take your time to polish it. Condense, filter and distil until what you are left with captures the essence of you. Anyone’s CV can fit on a page, even if you have held residencies in the world’s eight top hospitals or are Christine Lagarde. Forget the personal statement—no one has time for that. If you spent three weeks in the summer when you were 17 keeping the books in your uncle’s hardware store, no one needs to know that if you are now over the age of 25. The older you get, the more you should prioritise work experience over education.

Tailor your résumé for every application by making the relevant tweaks and highlighting different areas. Otherwise you are like the bore who tells the same story to every person he meets. Not everyone—and not every recruiter—is interested in the same things. If you can quantify an accomplishment, do. A second-year law student who just completed his summer internship having worked on six M & A deals? Put that in.

Reasonable gaps in a résumé are not cause for concern. Life happens and sometimes people take time off; you do not have to explain that you spent three months between jobs hiking around Machu Picchu to clear your head and recharge your batteries. A ten-year gap from the workforce may be another matter. So might constant job-switching, which is as much of a red flag to recruiters as admitting to never having had a long-term relationship might be to a stranger at a party. But if this describes your work history then you probably have bigger problems that a CV alone, no matter how masterful, will not fix.

Once you have sent your application, refrain from emailing prospective employers to see if they received it. You risk coming across as that annoying person who texts to see if their previous texts have got through.

In his commencement address at Kenyon College in 2005, David Foster Wallace, an American novelist, used the metaphor of fish oblivious to the element surrounding them in order to point to the dangers of the “natural, hard-wired, default setting which is to be deeply and literally self-centred”. Your life, he implied, should illustrate an acute awareness of the outside world. So should your CV . Drafting a presentation of your skills and achievements will inevitably reflect the sovereignty and self-absorption of your “skull-sized kingdom”, as Wallace described it. So as you launch yourself into the job market, follow his counsel to young graduates to try always to be aware of their place in the greater scheme of things: “This is water…this is water.” ■

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This article appeared in the Business section of the print edition under the headline “A job applicant walks into a bar”

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3 ways to make your next job hunt easier in the age of AI, from a career coach with 25 years experience

• Job hunting these days can be daunting, and veteran career coach Shari Santoriello knows it.
• But instead of trying to reinvent the wheel for each job you apply to, the search can be simpler.
• Here are Santoriello's top tips for streamlining your job search to make the process less miserable.

Job hunting can be daunting — miserable, even.

And in the age of AI , where it seems like even sending out hundreds of applications won't guarantee your résumé will ever be reviewed by a hiring manager, it's easy to get discouraged.

Career coach Shari Santoriello, who has been working in the industry for 25 years, knows it; she sees it all the time. So when her clients come to her asking how to streamline their job hunt and make the process easier but still optimized to draw the most eyes, she's a wealth of knowledge.

Here are three tips she gives her clients to make their job search simpler .

Create a résumé vault

Sometimes, we think of a résumé as being set in stone, when Santoriello says it's a dynamic piece of material for a job seeker — it should be flexible and adaptable for every job you're applying for. She noted that nobody likes to hear that, but you can make it easier for yourself by creating what some people call a résumé vault or master résumé.

Your résumé vault is a living document listing all your past jobs and accomplishments that you can select from. So, when you create a résumé for a particular role, instead of creating a new résumé from scratch, just make a copy of your résumé vault and delete everything that isn't relevant based upon the job description.

"When you ask yourself the question: what do you leave? What do you cut? Highlight those things that make you distinctive with regard to what the job description is asking for," Santoriello told Business Insider. "You may have something really cool in your background, but if it's not relevant to this role, you don't want to take up your precious real estate on your résumé with something that isn't going to be relevant to the hiring manager."

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On average, Santoriello estimates, job seekers have roughly five seconds when a hiring manager looks at their résumé . So you want to ensure they can see what impact, value, and contribution you bring to the team in those five seconds.

One of the best ways to do that when you're talking about what to keep and what to lose is you want to keep things that show results. Keep words like increased, decreased, drove revenue, successfully, efficiently, and streamlined.

"Any of those action language words that lets the reader immediately see you've done something," Santoriello said. "And put them at the front of the sentence, we don't want to bury it in the far right side of a sentence."

Learn the language of hiring managers in your industry

This comes in especially handy when considering a career change and trying to describe your transferrable skills in a new industry, according to Santoriello.

"When you write your résumé toward the new industry, you want to use the industry specific language," Santoriello said. "This is about showing them — not telling, showing them — that you understand how your skill transfers and use that language to support that. It doesn't mean that the 15 years you've spent in tech aren't relevant now that you want to go into medical research. There's probably a whole lot of skill there that's relevant. We just need to formulate it and put it in the language that the new industry understands."

She noted that this is where a career coach really can help, but when it comes to describing the language of your chosen industry, it's time to "play with your best friend Google."

"And when I say play, I mean play, have fun. Go down rabbit holes, do the research, spend the time getting lost reading articles on LinkedIn ," Santoriello said. "Join groups specific to where you want to go — both digital and face-to-face if that's your thing. Check out trade associations. There's so much information available today. When I'm working with my members, I say this to them: 'It's scavenger hunt time.' Let's find the stuff and then compare it to what you already have in place so that we're presenting your best fit here."

Keep your network simmering

"If you wanted a forest, you needed to plant a tree 20 years ago, but today would be OK, too," Santoriello told BI.

The truth is, she said, there's no bad time to be reaching out to friends and past, present, or prospective colleagues to set up informational interviews or networking lunches .

"We as human beings, people in the professional workplace, tend to not realize the value of building connections all the time — that's not a place you want to stagnate," Santoriello said. "You want to be building your connection base regularly.

Santoriello swears by the value of staying in touch with someone you played soccer with in fourth grade. Each and every person won't be a valuable connection each and every day — and, let's be realistic, you're not keeping in touch with the one person that you really didn't care for — but maintaining cordial relationships will come in handy when you least expect them, and sometimes when you need them most.

"I'm not saying be the person who has a Rolodex of 97,000 people but doesn't have a real relationship with anybody," Santoriello said. "I'm talking about the value of building real relationships over time, without always having an ulterior motive, just for the sake of building those relationships over time. And ideally, you're doing that now. The best time really is anytime it's comfortable for you to do that."

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