LinkedIn lets you upload a new resume file to replace the one you currently have on your profile
To replace your resume on LinkedIn, go to your profile, select the resume section, and upload a new file. LinkedIn stores one resume at a time, so uploading a new one automatically removes the old one. The process takes about two minutes and doesn't require you to delete anything manually.
Your resume appears in a dedicated section on your profile that recruiters and hiring managers can see. When you upload a replacement, the new file becomes visible when ready. You don't need to notify anyone — the old version straightforward disappears from view.
Key Takeaways
- Access your resume section from your profile by clicking the "Resume" button or finding it under the "Featured" section.
- LinkedIn accepts PDF, Word (.doc or .docx), and text files, with a maximum file size of 5 MB.
- Uploading a new resume replaces the old one automatically — you cannot keep multiple versions on your profile at once.
- Your resume becomes visible to recruiters and connections when ready after upload, so make sure the file is final before you upload it.
- You can remove your resume entirely by deleting the file, which hides it from your profile without affecting other sections.
Finding the Resume Section on Your Profile
Open LinkedIn and go to your profile by clicking your profile photo in the top right corner. Select "View profile" from the dropdown menu. On your profile page, look for the "Featured" section near the top, below your headline and summary. If you already have a resume uploaded, you'll see a "Resume" button there.
If you don't see a resume section yet, scroll down your profile to find the "Add section" button. Click it and select "Resume" from the list. This creates the section where you can upload your file. Once the section exists, you can add or replace your resume at any time.
Uploading Your New Resume File
Click the resume section on your profile. If you already have a resume there, you'll see an option to replace it. If the section is empty, you'll see an upload button. Click to select a file from your computer.
LinkedIn accepts PDF, Word documents (.doc or .docx), and plain text files. Your file must be smaller than 5 MB. Most resumes are well under this limit, so size is rarely a problem. Once you select your file, LinkedIn uploads it when ready — you don't need to click a separate "Save" or "Confirm" button.
What Happens to Your Old Resume
When you upload a new resume, LinkedIn removes the old one from your profile automatically. You don't see a confirmation message or have to approve the replacement — the new file straightforward takes its place. Recruiters and anyone viewing your profile will see only the new version.
The old file is not stored anywhere on LinkedIn after replacement. If you need to keep a copy, save it to your computer before uploading the new one. LinkedIn does not provide a version history or archive of previous resumes.
Making Sure Your Resume Is Visible to Recruiters
After you upload your resume, it appears in the "Featured" section of your profile by default. This means recruiters searching LinkedIn can see it. You can control who sees your resume by adjusting your profile visibility settings, but the resume section itself is visible to anyone who can view your profile.
Check your privacy settings if you want to limit who sees your resume. Go to Settings and Privacy, then select "Visibility." You can choose whether your profile is visible to everyone, logged-in members only, or just your connections. Your resume follows these same visibility rules.
Replacing Your Resume Multiple Times
You can replace your resume as often as you want. There's no limit to how many times you upload a new version. This is useful if you're tailoring your resume for different roles or industries — you can update it before explore to specific jobs.
Keep in mind that each upload replaces the previous one when ready. If you want to keep different versions for different purposes, save them with different names on your computer and upload whichever one you need at the time. LinkedIn itself stores only one resume per profile.
Removing Your Resume Entirely
If you want to hide your resume from your profile without deleting it from your computer, click the resume section and select the delete or remove option. This removes the file from your LinkedIn profile but doesn't affect anything else on your account.
You can add a new resume back at any time by following the upload steps above. Removing your resume doesn't change your profile visibility or affect your connections — it only hides that specific section.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I have more than one resume on my LinkedIn profile at the same time?
No. LinkedIn stores one resume per profile. If you need different versions for different jobs, save them on your computer with different names and upload whichever one you want to use. You can replace it as often as you need.
What file format works best for LinkedIn?
PDF is the safest choice because it preserves your formatting exactly as you created it. Word documents (.doc or .docx) also work well. Avoid text files if your resume has special formatting, because plain text doesn't preserve fonts, bold, or spacing.
How long does it take for my new resume to show up on LinkedIn?
Your resume appears on your profile when ready after upload. Recruiters can see it right away. There's no waiting period or review process — the file goes live as soon as the upload completes.
Will recruiters be notified when I replace my resume?
No. Recruiters don't receive a notification that you've updated your resume. They'll see the new version only if they visit your profile after the upload. If you want to let specific recruiters know you've updated your information, you'll need to message them directly.
What if my resume file is too large to upload?
LinkedIn has a 5 MB file size limit. If your file is larger, try converting it to PDF or removing images and graphics that might be making it too big. Most resumes are text-heavy and well under 5 MB, so this is rarely an issue.