LinkedIn Profile vs Resume: Key Differences
Recruiters who use LinkedIn to vet candidates
Source: Jobvite
InMail response rate for profiles with photos
Source: LinkedIn
Skills you can list on LinkedIn (vs 6-8 on resume)
Source: Industry standard
They're Not the Same Thing — And That's Good
Your resume is a targeted sales document. Your LinkedIn profile is a living professional brand. They overlap, but they serve different purposes and reach different audiences.
Most job seekers make the mistake of treating them identically. The best candidates use both strategically.
Quick Answer
Resume: Customized for each application, 1-2 pages, quantified achievements, keyword-optimized for ATS.
LinkedIn: Comprehensive career story, searchable, personality-driven, updated regularly, visible to recruiters.
Key Differences
1. Purpose
Resume:
- Proves you're qualified for a specific job
- Gets you past ATS and into the interview
- Submitted when you apply
LinkedIn Profile:
- Builds your professional brand and network
- Helps recruiters find you for opportunities
- Shows your personality, interests, and full career arc
2. Length and Detail
Resume:
- 1-2 pages max — ruthlessly concise
- Only relevant experience (last 10-15 years)
- 3-5 bullet points per role
LinkedIn Profile:
- No page limit — you can include everything
- Full career history, even early jobs
- Detailed project descriptions, media, links, recommendations
3. Tone and Voice
Resume:
- Third-person, professional, no "I"
- Action verbs and quantified results
- Formal and to-the-point
LinkedIn Profile:
- First-person ("I," "my") — more conversational
- Room for personality, storytelling, and passion
- Professional but human
4. Customization
Resume:
- Tailored to each job — rewrite for every application
- Mirror keywords from the job description
- Highlight the most relevant 3-5 roles
LinkedIn Profile:
- One version for everyone — updated regularly but not customized per viewer
- Optimized for broad search terms in your field
- Comprehensive view of all your skills and experience
What Goes on LinkedIn But NOT Your Resume
- Headshot photo — Never on a resume (bias concerns), essential on LinkedIn
- Personal interests and volunteer work — Shows who you are beyond work
- Recommendations from colleagues — Social proof that resumes can't provide
- All past roles (even old ones) — Your full career story matters for context
- Skills endorsements — 40+ skills you can list and get validated by peers
- Media and portfolio samples — Attach PDFs, videos, presentations, articles
- Detailed "About" section — 2-3 paragraphs telling your career story
Photo Tip
Profiles with professional photos get 3x more InMail responses. It doesn't have to be a fancy headshot — just a clear, friendly, professional-looking photo.
What Goes on Resume But NOT LinkedIn
- Job-specific customization — Your resume should be rewritten for each role; LinkedIn stays consistent
- Hyper-focused keyword matching — Mirror exact job description language on resume; LinkedIn uses broader terms
- Quantified metrics for ONLY relevant roles — Resume highlights top 3-5 jobs; LinkedIn shows everything
How to Optimize Both for Job Search Success
LinkedIn Optimization Checklist:
- ✅ Professional headshot photo
- ✅ Compelling headline (not just your job title — add value prop)
- ✅ Detailed "About" section with keywords
- ✅ Complete work history with descriptions
- ✅ 10+ skills listed (prioritize your top skills at the top)
- ✅ At least 50+ connections (500+ is ideal)
- ✅ Custom LinkedIn URL (linkedin.com/in/yourname)
- ✅ Active: post, comment, or share content monthly
Resume Optimization Checklist:
- ✅ 1-2 pages max (1 page if <5 years experience)
- ✅ Tailored to the specific job description
- ✅ Quantified achievements ("Increased sales by 30%")
- ✅ ATS-friendly formatting (no tables, images, or graphics)
- ✅ Keywords from job description woven naturally into bullets
- ✅ No personal pronouns ("I," "my") — start with action verbs
- ✅ Clean, simple fonts (Arial, Calibri, Times New Roman)
When to Use Each
Use Your Resume:
- When applying to a job (obviously)
- When asked for a "CV" or work history document
- For internal promotions or transfers
- As a reference when preparing for interviews
Use Your LinkedIn Profile:
- To be found by recruiters searching for candidates
- To vet new connections or network with peers
- To show social proof (recommendations, endorsements)
- To build authority in your field (posting thought leadership)
- When someone googles you (LinkedIn ranks high in search results)
Pro Tip: Keep Them Synced (But Not Identical)
Update both when you land a new job, get promoted, or complete a major project. But don't copy-paste. Your resume should be laser-focused; your LinkedIn should tell the full story.
Example: Same Role, Different Framing
Resume Bullet:
• Increased customer retention by 28% in Q2 2024 through targeted email campaigns and product onboarding improvements
LinkedIn Description:
As Customer Success Manager, I focused on retention and lifecycle marketing. One of my proudest wins was leading a cross-functional initiative to redesign our onboarding flow, which increased retention by 28% in just one quarter. I partnered with product, marketing, and support teams to identify friction points and test solutions. It was a great example of how small UX changes can have big business impact.
See the difference? Resume = concise proof. LinkedIn = story and context.
Bottom Line
You need both. Your resume gets you the interview. Your LinkedIn profile gets you discovered. Together, they paint a complete picture of who you are as a professional.