How to Export Your LinkedIn Resume to PDF (Clean Format, No Watermarks)
Your LinkedIn profile is essentially a living resume. You’ve invested hours optimizing your headline, crafting bullet points, and collecting endorsements.
Now a recruiter asks: “Can you send me your resume?”
You think: “I’ll just export my LinkedIn as a PDF!”
You click “More” → “Save to PDF” → and get… an ugly, cluttered document with a gray header, tiny fonts, and way too much spacing.
Not the polished PDF you wanted to send.
Here’s how to get a clean, professional resume from your LinkedIn profile—without the mess.
Method 1: LinkedIn’s Built-In Export (And Why It Sucks)
Let’s start with the obvious option.
Steps:
- Go to your LinkedIn profile.
- Click “More” (next to the “Open to” button).
- Select “Save to PDF”.
What you get:
- A PDF with your profile photo, header banner, and LinkedIn branding.
- Sections like “Skills,” “Recommendations,” and “Interests”—even if you don’t want them.
- Awkward page breaks and inconsistent formatting.
- No customization options.
Verdict: 2/10. Use only as a last resort.
Method 2: LinkedIn Resume Builder (Hidden Feature)
LinkedIn has a lesser-known Resume Builder tool that produces much cleaner output than the standard PDF export.
Steps:
- Go to linkedin.com/resume-builder.
- Click “Create from profile”.
- LinkedIn will pull your experience and education into a cleaner template.
- Edit sections, reorder content, and remove anything you don’t want.
- Click “Download as PDF”.
Pros:
- Much cleaner design than the standard export.
- You can remove sections you don’t want.
- Free to use.
Cons:
- Limited template options (only one basic design).
- Formatting is still somewhat rigid.
- Not as polished as professional resume builders.
Verdict: 6/10. Good for a quick, clean export.
Method 3: Copy-Paste into Google Docs or Word
If you want full control over formatting, manual copy-paste is your friend.
Steps:
- Open your LinkedIn profile in one browser tab.
- Open a new Google Doc (or Word document) in another tab.
- Copy each section (Headline, About, Experience, Education) and paste it into your document.
- Apply your own formatting: fonts, spacing, bullet styles.
- Export as PDF when done.
Pro Tips:
- Use Paste without formatting (Ctrl+Shift+V or Cmd+Shift+V) to avoid bringing LinkedIn’s messy styles.
- Use a professional Google Docs resume template as a starting point. Search “resume template” in Google Docs > Template Gallery.
Pros:
- 100% control over the final design.
- You can combine LinkedIn data with additional content (projects, certifications, etc.).
Cons:
- Time-consuming (30-60 minutes for a full resume).
- Requires basic design skills to look professional.
Verdict: 7/10. Best for customization, but slow.
Method 4: Third-Party Resume Builders (Recommended)
Several tools specialize in converting LinkedIn profiles into polished resumes. Here are the best ones in 2026:
Option A: Resume Worded
Resume Worded offers a free LinkedIn-to-resume converter.
Steps:
- Go to resumeworded.com and click “Import from LinkedIn.”
- Authenticate your LinkedIn account.
- Choose a template.
- Download as PDF.
Pros:
- Multiple professional templates.
- AI-powered suggestions for improving bullet points.
- ATS-friendly formatting.
Cons:
- Free version has watermarks; Pro is $49/month.
Option B: Rezi
Rezi.ai is an AI-powered resume builder with LinkedIn import.
Steps:
- Create a free account on Rezi.
- Click “Import from LinkedIn.”
- Customize your resume with drag-and-drop sections.
- Export as PDF.
Pros:
- Clean, modern templates.
- AI bullet point generator.
- Free tier available.
Cons:
- Some templates locked behind paywall.
Option C: Novoresume
Novoresume.com is another popular option with LinkedIn import.
Pros:
- Very visual, design-forward templates.
- Good for creative roles (marketing, design).
Cons:
- PDF export requires Pro ($19/month).
- Less ATS-friendly than Resume Worded or Rezi.
Verdict: 8/10. Best balance of speed and quality.
Method 5: Use JobPilot’s Profile Export
If you’re already using JobPilot for job applications, you can export your stored profile as a clean resume.
Steps:
- Open the JobPilot Chrome extension.
- Go to My Profile.
- Click “Export Resume”.
- Choose a template (ATS-friendly or visual).
- Download as PDF.
Pros:
- Your data is already in JobPilot from autofill—no re-typing.
- Templates are specifically designed for ATS compatibility.
- Free for all JobPilot users.
Cons:
- Requires having a JobPilot profile set up.
Verdict: 9/10. Best option if you’re already a JobPilot user.
Comparison: All Methods Side-by-Side
| Method | Time | Cost | Design Quality | ATS-Friendly | Customization |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LinkedIn PDF Export | 1 min | Free | ⭐ Poor | ❌ | ❌ |
| LinkedIn Resume Builder | 10 min | Free | ⭐⭐ Basic | ✅ | ⚠️ Limited |
| Manual Copy-Paste | 45 min | Free | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Custom | ⚠️ Depends | ✅ Full |
| Resume Worded | 15 min | Freemium | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Pro | ✅ | ✅ |
| Rezi | 15 min | Freemium | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Pro | ✅ | ✅ |
| Novoresume | 15 min | $19/mo | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Visual | ⚠️ | ✅ |
| JobPilot Export | 5 min | Free | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Pro | ✅ | ✅ |
What Should Your Resume PDF Include?
Regardless of which method you use, make sure your final PDF has:
1. Contact Information (Header)
- Full name
- Email address
- Phone number
- LinkedIn URL (shortened: linkedin.com/in/yourname)
- Portfolio link (if applicable)
2. Professional Summary (2-3 Sentences)
- Not a copy-paste of your LinkedIn “About” section.
- Tailored to the type of role you’re targeting.
- Includes keywords from job descriptions.
3. Experience (Reverse Chronological)
- Company name, title, dates.
- 3-5 bullet points per role.
- Quantified achievements (numbers, percentages, dollar amounts).
4. Education
- Degree, institution, graduation year.
- Honors or relevant coursework (if recent graduate).
5. Skills Section
- 15-20 hard skills relevant to your target roles.
- Keywords directly from job descriptions.
- No “soft skills” like “team player” (save those for the interview).
6. Certifications (If Applicable)
- AWS, PMP, CPA, etc.
- Only include if relevant to your target industry.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
❌ Mistake 1: Including Your LinkedIn QR Code
Some templates add a QR code linking to your profile. This wastes space and looks gimmicky. Recruiters can Google you if they want more info.
❌ Mistake 2: Using Fancy Fonts
Stick to ATS-friendly fonts: Arial, Calibri, Helvetica, or Times New Roman. Fancy fonts often break when parsed by applicant tracking systems.
❌ Mistake 3: Making It 3+ Pages
Unless you’re a senior executive with 20+ years of experience, keep it to 1-2 pages max. Recruiters spend 6 seconds on initial scans—don’t bury your best content.
❌ Mistake 4: Copying LinkedIn Verbatim
Your LinkedIn “About” section is written in first person (“I lead…”). Your resume should use third person or no pronoun at all (“Led a team of…”). Adapt the tone.
❌ Mistake 5: Forgetting to Remove LinkedIn Formatting
If you copy-paste, hidden formatting (colors, fonts, spacing) can follow. Always paste without formatting and apply your own styles.
Quick Action Checklist
- Choose your method: LinkedIn Resume Builder (quick), Resume Worded (polished), or JobPilot Export (fastest if you’re a user).
- Import your data.
- Remove irrelevant sections: Interests, Volunteer, Recommendations (unless highly relevant).
- Add a tailored summary: 2-3 sentences for your target role.
- Check ATS compatibility: Avoid tables, graphics, and fancy fonts.
- Export as PDF.
- Name the file properly:
FirstName_LastName_Resume.pdf(not “Resume_v3_FINAL.pdf”).
Summary
LinkedIn’s default PDF export is a starting point, not a final product. For a clean, professional, ATS-friendly resume:
- Fastest: JobPilot Export (5 min, free)
- Best Free: LinkedIn Resume Builder (10 min)
- Best Paid: Resume Worded or Rezi ($15-50/mo)
- Most Control: Manual copy-paste into Google Docs
Don’t send recruiters an ugly PDF. Take 15 minutes to do it right.
Try JobPilot’s Free Resume Export
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