How To Delete A Resume On LinkedIn (A Simple Guide)
You landed a great new job and want to remove the old resume from your LinkedIn profile. But first, you need to figure out how to delete a resume on LinkedIn. The process isn't intuitive. You may feel like navigating an obstacle course as you search for the proper steps. If you’re a LinkedIn Content Creator, you may even want to keep your old resume on file for future reference, but you don’t like it visible to potential employers. Instead, you’d prefer that they look at the content you’ve created and shared on LinkedIn. This article will help you accomplish your goals by explaining how to delete a resume on LinkedIn in a clear, step-by-step manner.
Once you learn how to delete a resume on LinkedIn, you may also want to brush up on your skills or create new content to showcase your expertise. Bluecast's AI content tool for LinkedIn can help you achieve those goals by generating high-quality LinkedIn posts and articles that will engage your audience and help you get noticed by potential employers.
Understanding LinkedIn Resume Options
LinkedIn offers multiple ways to upload and display your resume, depending on whether you’re actively applying for jobs or showcasing your experience to potential employers. Here’s a breakdown of the key resume options:
Attached Resumes for Job Applications
You can attach a resume directly to your application when applying for jobs through LinkedIn’s Easy Apply feature. This allows recruiters and hiring managers to review your qualifications alongside your LinkedIn profile.
How It Works
When you click Easy Apply on a job posting, LinkedIn prompts you to upload a resume file (PDF or DOCX). You can either upload a new resume or select a previously uploaded one from your saved resumes. LinkedIn saves your last three uploaded resumes for future applications, making it easy to reuse or update as needed.
Things to Keep in Mind
These resumes are not publicly visible, they are only shared with the employer when you apply. If you frequently update your resume, delete old versions from Settings & Privacy under Job Seeking Preferences to avoid using outdated information.
Some job applications may require customized resumes, so reviewing and tailoring your resume before submitting it is best.
Featured Documents on Your Profile
For professionals who want to showcase their resumes on their LinkedIn profiles, the Featured section allows you to upload documents, including:
- Resumes
- Portfolios
- Presentations
How to Add Your Resume to the Featured Section:
- Go to your LinkedIn profile and scroll to the Featured section (or add it if it’s not there)
- Click the “+” button and select “Add media” to upload your resume
- Choose a PDF or DOCX file and provide a title and description (e.g., “John Doe – Marketing Resume”)
- Click Save, and your resume will appear in the Featured section at the top of your profile.
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How to Delete a Resume on LinkedIn
If you've uploaded your resume to LinkedIn and need to remove it—whether for privacy reasons or to replace it with an updated version—here’s how you can do it quickly and easily.
Deleting a Resume from Your Profile (Featured Section or Media Attachments)
If you've uploaded your resume as a featured document or under the Media section of your profile, follow these steps:
- Log into LinkedIn: Open LinkedIn and sign in to your account
- Go to Your Profile: Click on your avatar or the Me icon in the top navigation bar, then select View Profile
- Locate the Resume in the Featured/Media Section: Scroll down your profile to find the Featured/Media section where you uploaded the document.
- Edit or Remove the Resume: Click on the pencil (edit) icon, locate your resume file, and select Remove to delete it permanently.
- Save Changes: Click Save to update your profile and remove the document from public view.
Deleting a Resume from LinkedIn Job Applications (Easy Apply Section)
LinkedIn saves your last three resumes for quick access if you uploaded a resume while applying for jobs through LinkedIn’s Easy Apply feature. To remove outdated ones:
- Open LinkedIn Settings: Click on your profile picture, then click Settings & Privacy.
- Go to Job Seeking Preferences: Under Data Privacy, select Job Seeking Preferences.
- Manage Your Resumes and Answers: Click on Manage your resumes and answers to see stored resumes.
- Delete the Resume: Click the More (•••) menu next to the resume you want to remove, then select Delete.
Once removed, your resume will no longer be accessible, allowing you to upload a fresh version or rely on your LinkedIn profile to showcase your expertise.
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Whether you're repurposing existing content from various formats or crafting original posts that match successful writing styles, Bluecast's AI content tool for LinkedIn streamlines the entire process from ideation to scheduling. It is perfect for marketers, founders, and agencies looking to maintain a consistent, engaging LinkedIn presence that delivers business results.
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Privacy Tips for Managing Your Resume on LinkedIn
The Featured section on LinkedIn might not be the best choice for showcasing your resume. This section allows you to display your resume for prospective employers, but be careful. Anyone can download and access the document.
If you don’t want your current employer or competitors to see your job search activities, it’s best to avoid uploading your resume here. Instead, highlight key accomplishments in your profile summary or work experience section.
Use LinkedIn’s Easy Apply Feature to Keep Your Job Search Private
When applying for jobs through LinkedIn’s Easy Apply feature, your resume is only shared with the prospective employer—not your connections or the public. This can help you keep your job search private, especially if you’re currently employed.
Regularly update and replace your uploaded resumes in LinkedIn’s job settings to avoid sending outdated information.
Adjust Your Privacy Settings to Limit Profile Visibility
LinkedIn’s settings allow you to control who can see your activity, including:
- Job applications
- Profile changes
Consider adjusting your privacy settings to make your profile less visible while you search for a new job.
Go to Settings & Privacy > Visibility. From there, set "Share profile updates with your network" to Off (to prevent notifications when you edit your profile). Also, enable "Private mode" when browsing job postings or recruiters’ profiles.
Be Selective About Personal Information on Your Resume
If you upload your resume, remove sensitive details like your home address, phone number, or personal email to avoid spam or identity theft. Instead of listing personal contact details, LinkedIn’s messaging system can communicate with recruiters.
Regularly Review and Remove Old Resumes
When you apply for jobs on LinkedIn, the platform saves your last three uploaded resumes under your job application settings. Keeping old resumes could lead to outdated applications.
Go to Settings & Privacy > Job seeking preferences > Manage your resumes and answers to remove old resumes. Delete outdated resumes to ensure only the latest version is used for applications.
5 Tips for Maintaining Your LinkedIn Profile
1. Make Your Profile Searchable: The Key to Getting Found on LinkedIn
Your LinkedIn profile isn’t just a digital resume, it’s often the first impression you make on potential clients, employers, colleagues, and collaborators.
If your profile isn’t optimized, you could miss valuable opportunities and connections that could significantly advance your career or business.
Optimize Your LinkedIn Headline
Start by making your profile highly searchable using keywords highlighting your core competencies. This is especially important in your LinkedIn headline.
For example, if you’re a supply chain manager, incorporate keywords like “supply chain optimization” or “global logistics” to align with what your target market is searching for.
Boost Visibility with Keywords
If you’re a cybersecurity consultant, terms like “risk management,” “compliance,” or “cloud security” will make you highly searchable. LinkedIn’s search function relies heavily on keywords.
Without them, your profile may be buried beneath countless others. To maximize visibility, incorporate keywords not only in your headline but also in your About section, experience descriptions, and posts.
2. Highlight Your Skills and Experiences to Showcase Your Value
Next, make it easy for your audience to understand what you do, who you serve, and the benefits you provide. This can be accomplished by keeping your profile focused, clear, and directly aligned with your value proposition.
Build a Focused Personal Brand
If you want to be recognized as a thought leader or author, don’t clutter your profile with unrelated experiences, like an early job as a bank teller. Including irrelevant details can confuse your target audience and dilute your brand.
Instead, emphasize experiences that directly contribute to your expertise, such as speaking engagements, judging positions, or other roles that showcase my journey in the industry.
TIP: Instead of just stating that you “wrote a business book,” mention that your book “sold over 10,000 copies in the first six months” or “was featured in national media.”
3. Make It Clean, Professional, and Strategic
If your profile looks polished and intentional, it signals that you take your brand seriously, making others more likely to take you seriously, too.
Remember these key points:
- Your profile photo should be professional-looking and convey credibility and approachability.
- Be strategic with your choice of colors, use a cohesive color scheme that aligns with your personal or business brand.
- Your banner is prime real estate, it should immediately communicate what you do and how you do it, creating a visual snapshot of your expertise. It could also include your unique selling proposition.
- Use a personalized call-to-action (CTA) link or button to guide visitors to the next step. This could be scheduling a call, visiting your website, or downloading a free resource.
TIP: The Featured section highlights key projects, articles, or client testimonials.
4. Post Regularly to Showcase Your Expertise
LinkedIn is a social platform where consistent engagement is key to leveraging the algorithm to your advantage. Share valuable insights, industry news, and expert opinions to showcase your expertise and position yourself as a leader in your industry.
Regularly posting and connecting with professionals in your field increases your visibility and helps you build a strong professional presence.
TIP: Publish articles to position yourself as an authority in your industry. LinkedIn articles may be searchable both on and off LinkedIn, depending on your profile settings. To publish an article, go to the LinkedIn homepage and click the Write article button below the Start a post button.
5. Get Inspired by Leaders in Your Industry
If you’re unsure what to include or how to enhance your profile, look at the profiles of leading professionals in your field. You’ll likely discover ideas and elements you might have overlooked.
Pay attention to how they present their expertise, the types of content they share, and how they engage with their audience.
TIP: Engage with industry leaders' content by commenting thoughtfully on their posts. This increases your visibility and helps you understand what resonates with them.
Related Reading
Importance of Maintaining an Updated Profile on LinkedIn
When you apply for a job, the hiring manager will look you up on LinkedIn. What will they find? If it’s old information, they will wonder about your ambition and enthusiasm for your career. It’s presumed that experienced professionals will have updated LinkedIn profiles; if you don’t, it can set you back.
Recruiters Use LinkedIn to Find Candidates
Whether or not you’re looking for a new job, recruiters are looking for people like you. But if your LinkedIn profile doesn’t have your current skills and abilities, then don’t expect to show up in their searches.
Many different and exciting opportunities could come your way from your profile – if it’s routinely updated. If not, you’ll get passed by.
A Complete LinkedIn Profile Gives You an Edge Over the Competition
If your profile is polished and professional, with all your skills and abilities up to date, you will stand out. Even so, if it’s not completed or you haven’t touched it in years, it can convey that you're less-than-driven regarding your career.
It can also communicate that you’re not paying attention to detail or don’t understand the importance of LinkedIn. Either way, it doesn’t paint you in a positive light for hiring managers and recruiters.
LinkedIn Gives You a Chance to Show Off Your Personality
The beauty of your LinkedIn profile is that you can infuse more personality into it than your resume. This gives recruiters a better sense of who you are and how you think, which can be the key to distinguishing your background and skills from another candidate they’re considering.
An Updated Profile Helps You Expand Your Network
When your profile has the most recent information, your peers and colleagues will be better able to find and connect with you. This can be especially handy when searching for a job and seeking leads on new opportunities.
You’ll already have a solid network of connections with similar business goals and careers to whom you can turn for advice and help.
Keeping Your Brand Polished
How do you want the professional world to see you? That's your brand. It's putting your best foot forward and advertising the very best of what you bring to the workforce and the world. Social media is an excellent resource for building your brand, and LinkedIn is the best.
Get Started with a 7-day Free Trial Today - No Credit Card Required
Bluecast empowers B2B professionals to amplify their LinkedIn presence through AI-powered content creation and management, helping them grow their audience and drive revenue without the typical content creation bottlenecks.
Whether you're repurposing existing content from various formats or crafting original posts that match successful writing styles, Bluecast's AI content tool for LinkedIn streamlines the entire process from ideation to scheduling. It is perfect for marketers, founders, and agencies looking to maintain a consistent, engaging LinkedIn presence that delivers business results.
Get started with a 7-day free trial today; no credit card is required.
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