How To Include LinkedIn On Your Resume (With Examples)

Fitting an extensive list of work experience and professional skills onto a one-page resume can be challenging. Fortunately, including a link to your LinkedIn profile allows hiring managers a convenient “click to read more” option. This is an effective way to showcase your professional brand and provide additional context about your qualifications.

Continue reading to discover how to properly add your LinkedIn URL to your resume and tips for enhancing your LinkedIn profile to complement your application.

Key Takeaways

• Ensure your LinkedIn profile is polished before adding it to your resume.

• Customize your LinkedIn URL for simplicity and enhanced personal branding.

• Include the LinkedIn URL as a hyperlink in the contact section of your resume.

How to Include Your LinkedIn Profile on Your Resume

Adding LinkedIn to your resume is an effective way to provide potential employers with more comprehensive information about your professional background.

• Remember, your LinkedIn profile is not just a copy of your resume; they are distinct documents that serve different purposes.

• Your LinkedIn profile offers a wider overview of your professional persona, while your resume should be a targeted document that highlights your qualifications for a specific role.

• The goal is to showcase your skills and experiences both generally and specifically for the job you are applying for.

• Excited to add your LinkedIn URL? Before you do, consider these essential points to ensure it’s a beneficial addition.

Yes, it’s essential to attend to several details before including your LinkedIn URL on your resume. Read on for the specifics.

How to Customize Your LinkedIn URL for Your Resume

Creating a custom LinkedIn profile URL is straightforward. It’s best to keep it as professional as possible. Typically, using your first and last name is recommended.

To create your custom URL, visit your LinkedIn profile. Look for Edit public profile URL on the upper right corner. Once redirected, input your desired custom URL.

Choose something simple and memorable, ideally combining your first name, last name, and possibly some numbers. Alternatively, you might use a recognizable word or phrase from your professional life. If you’re a freelancer and have a company name, consider using that. You could even enhance your URL by adding a keyword for better search engine optimization.

Where to Place Your LinkedIn Profile URL on Your Resume

Having customized your LinkedIn profile and URL, you’re ready to integrate it into your resume.

When placing the LinkedIn URL, ensure it appears within your contact information section.

There’s no need to include the entire link. Instead, create a hyperlink. Highlight the text (e.g., Jane Smith LinkedIn Profile), right-click, and select “Hyperlink.”

1. Your First and Last Name

   Your Street Address

   City, State Zip Code

   Your Phone Number

   Your Professional Email Address

   Your LinkedIn Profile URL

2. Jane Smith

   123 Maple Street Apt. 21B New York, NY 12345 | (555) 555-5555 | jsmith@email.com | LinkedIn Profile

Tips for Crafting an Impressive LinkedIn Profile

Including your LinkedIn URL on your resume enhances your job search, provided your LinkedIn profile is professional. Here are essential tips for writing resumes, cover letters, and crafting the perfect LinkedIn profile.

Before you add your LinkedIn link to your resume, ensure your profile is polished by following these key guidelines:

1. Complete every section. This is crucial. A well-rounded LinkedIn profile can significantly increase your chances of being contacted by recruiters.

2. Highlight your headline, summary, and photo. Your headline should succinctly convey your professional identity, while your summary should provide a more detailed overview. Don’t forget an appropriate profile photo that adheres to professional standards.

3. Aim for 50-100 connections (at least). Fewer than 50 connections may raise concerns about your professional engagement.

4. Utilize recommendations and endorsements. Recommendations serve as powerful testimonials, while endorsements validate your skills. Seek endorsements from colleagues who can genuinely attest to your qualifications.

5. Customize your URL. More details on this below.

How to Include Your LinkedIn URL in Your Email Signature

Another advantage of having a LinkedIn profile is the option to include it in your email signature, providing prospective employers easy access to your professional credentials.

If you use an email service like Gmail, follow these simple steps:

1. Open Gmail.

2. Click on Settings (the gear icon in the upper right).

3. Select “See all Settings.”

4. Scroll to the Signature text box and add your signature, including your LinkedIn Profile URL (remember to hyperlink it).

5. Click Save Changes at the bottom of the page.

Your signature will now appear in every email you send. Here’s an example of how your email signature might look:

1. Your First and Last Name (Consider using a different font for your signature)

   Your Professional Email Address

   Your Phone Number

   LinkedIn Profile URL or Website

2. Jane Smith

   jsmith@email.com

   (555) 555-5555

   LinkedIn Profile

Why You Should Include Your LinkedIn on Your Resume

Integrating your LinkedIn URL into your resume is essential because social media has become integral to professional interactions, and LinkedIn serves as the leading platform for professionals.

• LinkedIn provides extensive insights about you, including “mini” recommendations through endorsements from your connections.

• You can showcase your work samples on your LinkedIn profile, enhancing your appeal as a candidate. This could include links to articles, presentations, images, and more.

• A diversified LinkedIn profile positions you as a well-rounded candidate with demonstrable skills.

• These details can differentiate you from other applicants and offer you an edge. While your resume should be tailored to the job application, your LinkedIn profile can provide additional context about your qualifications.

• Moreover, it gives interviewers more material to discuss during interviews. If they notice you’ve shared insights from a thought leader in your industry, it may lead to more engaging conversations.

Thus, adding your LinkedIn URL to your resume is beneficial for most job applicants. However, if you’re applying for a federal job, ensure you adhere to the guidelines for including application materials before incorporating your LinkedIn URL.

When to Omit Your LinkedIn URL from Your Resume

If your LinkedIn profile isn’t updated or doesn’t provide additional context beyond your resume, it’s best to remove it.

Here are some indicators that it might be time to omit your LinkedIn URL:

• You haven’t updated your profile in a long time.

• You won’t be able to update it before submitting your resume.

• Your LinkedIn profile lacks completeness or polish.

• You don’t have a recent, professional headshot on your profile.

• Your number of LinkedIn connections is insufficient.

• Your LinkedIn profile contains the same information as your resume without offering additional insights.

• You haven’t customized your profile URL yet.

Ultimately, if you’re unsure about any aspect of your LinkedIn profile, it’s wise to exclude the URL from your resume. Use this as an opportunity to enhance your profile so you can confidently include it in future job applications.

FAQ: Adding LinkedIn to Your Resume

1. Should you include your LinkedIn on a resume?

   Yes, including your LinkedIn profile on your resume is advisable. Social media significantly influences the hiring process, and your LinkedIn profile provides hiring managers with a deeper understanding of your professional background. Additionally, it allows you to showcase your work samples effectively.

2. Where should my LinkedIn URL go on my resume?

   Your LinkedIn URL should be placed in the contact information section of your resume. Avoid including the full link; instead, hyperlink it. Highlight the text (e.g., Jane Smith LinkedIn Profile), right-click, and choose “Hyperlink.”

3. How far back should a resume go?

   A resume should cover only the last 10-15 years of your work experience. Include only relevant history pertaining to the job application. Generally, include three to seven relevant roles on your resume.

4. What should you avoid including in a resume?

   Avoid inaccuracies regarding your qualifications and experiences. Also, refrain from including experiences unrelated to the job you’re applying for. Keeping your resume concise is crucial.

Final Thoughts

For those re-entering the job market after years in the workforce, crafting a “modern” resume may seem overwhelming. Today, job candidates typically search for jobs entirely online, with fewer individuals printing and hand-delivering resumes to HR departments.

Securing your ideal job requires more than just browsing job boards and submitting applications. The art of online networking may appear daunting, yet leveraging LinkedIn can be a powerful asset for advancing your career network.

Both seasoned job seekers and newcomers must utilize these online platforms effectively. Including your LinkedIn profile in your resume can significantly enhance your chances of landing more job offers.

While adding the URL to your resume is relatively simple (just hyperlink your profile), applying the tips outlined in this article will help make your LinkedIn profile a valuable asset rather than mere fluff.

Ensure your URL is clear, your profile is complete, and your URL is hyperlinked, allowing you to create a seamless blend of your traditional resume and LinkedIn profile that impresses recruiters and hiring managers.

References

1. Harvard University Graduate School of Design – How to Write A Resume That Stands Out

Author

Heidi Cope

Heidi Cope is a former writer for the Zippia Career Advice blog. Her writing focused primarily on Zippia's suite of rankings and general career advice. After leaving Zippia, Heidi joined The Mighty as a writer and editor, among other positions. She received her BS from UNC Charlotte in German Studies.

Expert

Matt Warzel, CPRW, CIR

Matt Warzel a President of a resume writing firm (MJW Careers, LLC) with 15+ years of recruitment, outplacement, career coaching and resume writing experience. Matt is also a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) and Certified Internet Recruiter (CIR) with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (Marketing Focus) from John Carroll University.