Do not copy and paste your resume into your LinkedIn profile.
It’s a no-no, yet it’s such a common mistake lots of people make on LinkedIn.
Let’s explore why your resume and LinkedIn profile serve different purposes and how to optimize them.
Difference #1: Purpose
Resume:
Your resume is a targeted document, crafted for a specific job application, board position, or competition. It’s all about highlighting your past experiences and aligning them with a specific industry, employer and role.
Example: If you’re applying for a marketing manager role, your resume will focus on your relevant marketing skills, achievements, and experience directly related to that job.
LinkedIn:
Your LinkedIn profile is a public, dynamic space open to the world (unless you changed your privacy settings as I showed you 2 Saturdays ago). It’s like a sales page for your personal brand, connecting you with professionals, recruiters, and potential clients across industries.
Example: On LinkedIn, your headline and summary should reflect a broader, more holistic view of your skills and goals, potentially attracting opportunities beyond just job offers.
Bottom line: Your resume is more targeted at going to one employer or responding to one job posting whereas your LinkedIn profile has a broad reach. A resume is for a specific job; LinkedIn is for your career.
Difference #2: Tone
Resume:
Your resume should be formal and professional. You don’t use the first person; instead, you start statements with strong action verbs that clearly convey your accomplishments.
LinkedIn:
On LinkedIn, it’s perfectly acceptable—and often more engaging—to write in the first person. This conversational tone helps you connect with your audience on a more personal level.
Bottom line: Resumes are formal; LinkedIn allows for a more personal, engaging tone.
Difference #3: Format
Resume:
Resumes have a structured format, typically one to three pages, depending on your career level. They follow a set order—summary, skills, work experience, education, etc.
LinkedIn:
Your LinkedIn profile is far more dynamic. You can showcase your personality with a banner image, multimedia content, and a conversational tone. It’s designed to be visually engaging and interactive. You may check here for a step-by-step guide to optimizing it.
Bottom line: Media can enhance your LinkedIn profile and bring it to life in ways your resume cannot.
ACTION STEP:
Take a look at your LinkedIn profile this week—compare it to your resume and make any necessary adjustments based on what you’ve just learned.
If your resume needs some help, click the image below to download a free resume sample.
