LinkedIn is the world’s largest professional networking platform, with over 740 million members worldwide. As the go-to site for making business connections and finding job opportunities, an increasing number of job seekers are turning to LinkedIn to optimize their resumes and get them in front of recruiters and hiring managers. One of the services LinkedIn offers is resume review, which provides feedback on your resume to help improve it. But is this resume review service actually free on LinkedIn? Let’s take a closer look.
What is LinkedIn resume review?
The LinkedIn resume review service allows members to upload their resume and receive feedback within 24 hours. The service aims to provide tips and suggestions to improve your resume based on LinkedIn’s data and expertise. The feedback you receive highlights strengths in your resume while also identifying areas for improvement in content, formatting, and design.
The service matches your resume to job listings on LinkedIn to provide relevant feedback tailored to your career goals and desired industry. Feedback may cover aspects such as:
– Content and formatting
– Use of keywords and core competencies
– Customization for targeted jobs
– Overall impact and first impressions
The resume review service on LinkedIn, previously known as LinkedIn Resume Assistant, is intended to help optimize your resume so it catches a recruiter’s eye during the initial resume screening process.
Is LinkedIn resume review really free?
The short answer is yes, LinkedIn’s resume review service is currently free for all members. LinkedIn does not charge any fee to submit your resume and receive feedback. The resume review service is included in LinkedIn’s features to help members present their professional profiles and experience in the best possible light.
However, there are some limitations to the free resume review service:
– You can only submit one resume for review every 30 days.
– The feedback is relatively brief and high-level. You will not receive an in-depth written review.
– The turnaround time is 1-2 days rather than instantly.
While these limitations exist, the resume review is still a helpful free tool to get unbiased feedback and catch any glaring issues in your resume. Just don’t expect a full professional resume rewrite.
How to use LinkedIn’s free resume review
Uploading your resume for review on LinkedIn is a quick and easy process:
1. Login to your LinkedIn account and go to your profile page.
2. Click on the dropdown arrow next to ‘Add profile section’ and select ‘Review your resume’.
3. On the Resume Assistant page, click ‘Upload resume’ or ‘Build resume’. You can upload a PDF or Word file, or build a resume directly on LinkedIn.
4. Once your resume is uploaded, click ‘Send’ to submit it for review.
5. Within 1-2 days, you will receive an email notification that your resume review is ready.
6. Sign in to LinkedIn and go to your Profile page. Scroll down to the Resume Assistant section to view the feedback.
7. Review the feedback and suggestions provided to improve your resume’s content, formatting, and design.
8. Make the recommended changes and update your resume. You can submit your revised resume for additional feedback after 30 days.
The resume review process is simple and user-friendly. The key is to carefully review the feedback and determine which changes would help enhance your resume the most.
Pros of using LinkedIn resume review
While LinkedIn’s resume review has some limits compared to an in-depth professional review, it still offers several benefits:
– **It’s free.** You can’t beat the price. Professional resume writers can charge $100-$500 for resume edits.
– **Quick turnaround time.** You get feedback within 24 hours, while a full rewrite may take 3-5 days.
– **Unbiased, expert feedback.** The algorithm provides an objective view of how your resume will appear to recruiters.
– **Identifies gaps and errors.** It can catch formatting issues, lack of keywords, and other red flags quickly.
– **Matching to job posts.** The AI customizes suggestions based on your target industry and role.
– **Easy to use.** Uploading and accessing the resume review takes just minutes via your LinkedIn account.
For job seekers on a tight budget or resume novices, LinkedIn’s free review can provide a lot of value in improving your resume’s first impression. It’s not a replacement for an in-depth review, but it can catch high-level issues.
Cons of LinkedIn resume review
While the LinkedIn resume review has some clear benefits, it also has some drawbacks and limitations to be aware of:
– **Superficial feedback.** The bullet points only scratch the surface and don’t provide detailed rewriting advice.
– **Limited to one submission per month.** You can’t refine iteratively based on the feedback.
– **Not customized.** The algorithmic review may miss nuances specific to your career field and experience.
– **No human expert.** A trained resume writer would provide more strategic rewriting tailored to your situation.
– **Can’t review other application documents.** Other parts of your job application need optimization as well.
– **No direct interaction.** You can’t ask follow-up questions or clarify the feedback provided.
– **Formatting limitations.** The system may miss subtleties in presenting information clearly.
For a thorough resume overhaul, job seekers may need to look beyond LinkedIn’s review and work with an experienced resume consultant. However, as a basic checklist, the free service can still improve your document.
Tips to get the most from LinkedIn resume review
To maximize the value of LinkedIn’s resume review tool, keep these tips in mind:
– **Carefully target your resume** – Customize your resume for each desired role and company. Generic resumes won’t get tailored feedback.
– **Highlight transferable skills** – Include keywords and skills that apply across your experience and industries. The algorithm looks for these.
– **Use standard formatting** – Stick to common resume format conventions so the system can parse your resume sections.
– **Focus on clear communication** – Ensure your resume is organized, skimmable, and visually appealing. This helps the algorithm analyze flow.
– **Check for errors** – Typos and grammatical mistakes will negatively impact the system’s review.
– **Submit multiple drafts** – Refine your document after every 30 days based on the feedback provided.
– **Combine with other reviews** – Supplement the algorithmic review by asking colleagues or career advisors to critique your resume as well.
– **Tweak thoughtfully** – Carefully consider the tradeoffs of any major content changes suggested, rather than blindly accepting all recommendations.
While LinkedIn Resume Assistant has limits, using it strategically as part of your overall resume improvement strategy can give you an advantage over other candidates. The key is understanding how to get the most information out of the tool.
Alternative free resume review options
If you want a second opinion beyond LinkedIn’s resume review, here are some other free tools and resources to consider using:
– **Jobscan -** This AI resume optimization tool also provides a free resume review and creates a detailed improvement report.
– **TopResume** – Offers a limited time free resume review service for first-time users. They provide written feedback by email.
– **VisualCV** – This online resume builder has a spiffy resume analyzer tool that’s free to use and gives instant feedback.
– **Reddit Resume** – Post your resume in this Reddit community to get advice and critiques from other users, recruiters and HR professionals.
– **Local libraries** – Many libraries offer employment support services and will review resumes at no cost for library patrons.
– **Staffing agencies** – Temp agencies often provide resume help for free as they want to find you a job.
– **Colleagues and friends** – Ask co-workers in your field to review your resume and provide informal feedback.
– **University career centers** – If you’re a current or recent graduate, your college career center may critique resumes for free.
While these options may lack the sophistication of LinkedIn’s AI, they can provide a human perspective on improving your resume. Combining multiple free reviews creates the best resume.
Should you pay for resume help?
The free LinkedIn resume review and other tools provide a great start for revamping your resume. However, some job seekers may benefit from paying for professional resume writing services or coaches. Here are some factors to consider:
– **Applying for a senior or executive role** – Professional writers can position you strategically as leadership material.
– **Changing industries** – A resume overhaul can translate your experience to new industries.
– **Little previous resume experience** – Entry level applicants may lack the expertise to craft a strong resume alone.
– **Applying after a long gap** – Professional writers can mitigate employment gaps tactfully.
– **Many revisions needed** – A consultant can provide multiple rounds of revisions and fine-tuning.
– **Personalized service** – One-on-one time with a coach helps shape the optimal personal brand.
– **Other application documents** – Coaches often help optimize LinkedIn profiles, cover letters, and interviews.
– **Ongoing support** – Some provide lifelong resume updating services for returning clients.
Investing in professional services may be worth the cost for some job seekers who need to stand out in a crowded applicant pool. An expert consultant brings strategic perspective you may not have on your own.
Pro Review Services
Here are some of the top professional resume writing services to consider if investing in expert help:
– **TopResume** – One of the leading resume services with over 2,000 specialized writers. Packages start at $199.
– **ZipJob** – Well-known service starting at $299 for a professionally written resume by experts.
– **Monster Pro** – Monster.com’s resume writing service provides a dedicated coach to walk you through the process.
– **iHire** – Network of certified professional resume writers with custom packages available.
– **Capstone Resumes** – Resume and LinkedIn services focused on executives and leaders.
– **Blue Sky Resumes** – Specialized executive resume writers for senior-level professionals.
– **ResumeSpice** – Known for personalized service and support throughout the job search.
– **Execu|Search** – Tailored executive resume writing by industry experts.
– **Randstad RiseSmart** – Uses data analytics in addition to expert writers to optimize resumes.
While pricier than free services, paying for resume help from established professionals can be a worthwhile investment if you need to stand out from the competition.
The bottom line on free LinkedIn resume review
Here are some key takeaways on maximizing LinkedIn’s resume review tool:
– It provides quick, unbiased expert feedback at no cost.
– The AI algorithm delivers helpful high-level suggestions based on your target role.
– However, the tool has limits in depth of feedback and customization.
– Use LinkedIn’s insights combined with other free and paid reviews for the best results.
– Fine-tune iteratively by submitting an updated resume every 30 days.
– Carefully evaluate which resume changes to make based on the feedback.
– For a major career shift or leadership role, professional paid services may be worth the investment.
With over 740 million members, getting your resume right on LinkedIn is critical for job seekers. Take advantage of their free resume review to get objective insights to fine tune your document. Combine it with customized services if you need more in-depth revisions. With a refined, targeted resume you will put your best foot forward on the world’s largest professional networking platform.