LinkedIn Optimization5 min read
LinkedIn vs. CV: What Goes Where (and Why)
Your CV is a private application document. Your LinkedIn is a public discovery surface. Treat them differently.
Different audiences, different rules
- CV: read by 1–3 people who already have a specific role in mind. Optimize for fit and proof.
- LinkedIn: indexed by recruiters across thousands of roles. Optimize for discovery and breadth.
What belongs only on LinkedIn
- Featured links to projects, talks, and writing.
- Recommendations from past colleagues.
- Volunteer work, courses, and side projects you'd cut from a CV.
- An "open to work" signal — invisible to your current employer when set correctly.
What belongs only on a CV
- Confidential metrics you wouldn't post publicly.
- Tailored summaries written for one specific role.
- References (on request).
Frequently asked questions
- Should my LinkedIn be longer than my CV?
- Usually yes. LinkedIn has no length penalty and benefits from more searchable content.