LinkedIn has become an invaluable tool for recruiting and job searching. With over 740 million members worldwide, LinkedIn provides access to the world’s largest professional network on the internet. One of the key features of LinkedIn is the ability to view and share resumes and work histories of other members.
Searching for Connections
The easiest way to view someone’s resume on LinkedIn is to connect with them directly. You can search for connections by name, company, school, location and other keywords using the search bar at the top of LinkedIn. When you find the profile of the person you want to view, click “Connect” to send them an invite. If they accept your invitation, you’ll be connected on LinkedIn and can view their full profile including work experience, education, skills and endorsements.
An important tip is that you’ll only be able to view the full resumes of 1st-degree connections – those you are directly connected to. For 2nd and 3rd-degree connections, you can send a connection invite and message to ask them to share their full profile with you.
LinkedIn Recruiter
If you are using LinkedIn Recruiter to source candidates, you can view the full profiles and resumes of any LinkedIn member. LinkedIn Recruiter is LinkedIn’s talent sourcing platform designed specifically for recruiters and hiring managers. It allows you to search the full LinkedIn network, contact members, and view profiles beyond just your connections.
To view someone’s full resume with Recruiter, simply search for them on LinkedIn and click on their name. This will bring you to a full profile view. Scroll down to see their Experience section which contains their full resume including all work history details.
Contacting Connections
Another way to view a full resume is to directly ask one of your connections. You can message any of your 1st-degree connections and request that they share their resume with you. Many LinkedIn members are open to sharing their full work history with trusted connections.
To message a connection, go to their profile and click the “Message” button in the top right. Send them a note asking if they would be willing to share their resume with you. If they agree, they can send it to you directly via LinkedIn messaging.
InMail
If you want to reach out to someone you are not connected to, you can send them an InMail message. InMail allows you to directly contact any LinkedIn member, even if they are not within your network. With a premium LinkedIn account, you get a number of InMail credits each month to use.
To use InMail to view someone’s resume, follow these steps:
- Search for the member you wish to contact
- Click on their profile picture and select “Send InMail”
- Compose a message asking if they would be willing to share their resume
- If they reply agreeing, request they send their full resume via InMail
Job Applications
When someone applies to a job through LinkedIn, they have the option of attaching their resume to the application. As the recruiter or hiring manager, you will be able to view the full resumes of all applicants who applied to your posted jobs.
To see resumes of job applicants:
- Go to LinkedIn Jobs and click “Post a job”
- View the job posting and scroll down to “Candidates”
- Click on each applicant and scroll down to view their attached resume
External Sites
Many LinkedIn members list external websites on their profile such as a personal portfolio or company website. Visit these sites to potentially find a full resume not available on their LinkedIn profile.
To find external sites:
- Go to their LinkedIn profile
- Scroll down to the “Websites” section
- Click on any listed websites to view if a resume is published there
Saving a Profile as a PDF
LinkedIn gives you the ability to save any profile as a PDF file. This allows you to download all the information including the full resume even if you are not connected. Simply view the profile you want, and click the “Save to PDF” option in the top right corner. You can then view or print this PDF copy with all of the profile and resume details.
Conclusion
Viewing someone’s full resume on LinkedIn provides valuable insight into their background and qualifications. While privacy settings limit what you can see of some profiles, there are still several options to request and access full resumes and work histories. Using the tips outlined above, you can leverage the power of LinkedIn’s massive membership to find and view targeted resumes for your hiring and recruiting needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you see who views your LinkedIn profile?
No, LinkedIn does not allow members to see who views their profile. Profiles set to “public” can be viewed anonymously by any LinkedIn member without the user being notified. Only paid Job Seeker, Recruiter, and Sales Navigator account holders can see limited information on who viewed their profile, such as title, location and industry, but not the specific name or account.
Is having a LinkedIn profile important?
Yes, having a complete, professional LinkedIn profile is very important for several reasons:
- Recruiters and hiring managers frequently review LinkedIn profiles during the hiring process
- It increases your professional visibility and networks
- Demonstrates your knowledge, skills and certifications
- Opens up new career opportunities and jobs
- Allows you to endorse and get endorsed by colleagues
What are the benefits of LinkedIn premium accounts?
Upgrading to a premium LinkedIn account provides several benefits including:
Benefit | Details |
---|---|
InMail Credits | Send direct messages to any LinkedIn member |
Profile Views | See who has viewed your profile |
Search Filters | Use advanced filters and criteria to search profiles |
Learning Courses | Unlimited access to LinkedIn online courses |
How do I know who viewed my profile without paying?
Without a premium account, there is no way to know exactly who has viewed your profile since LinkedIn does not provide that data for free accounts. However, you can see aggregate profile view data showing how many times your profile was viewed and by members from which companies or locations, but not the specific individuals.
Summary
LinkedIn has become the premiere destination for both recruiters and job seekers across industries. Taking advantage of the various options to view and share resumes and work histories on LinkedIn can help connect qualified candidates with great opportunities. Whether searching your own connections, leveraging premium features like InMail, or exploring external websites, you can find the right information to make informed hiring and career decisions.