Connect in one scan
At events, people swap names and then forget to look each other up. On a CV, recruiters must type your profile address by hand. A LinkedIn QR code fixes both: one scan opens your profile, ready to connect.
Step 1: tidy your profile link
Your public profile link looks like linkedin.com/in/your-name. LinkedIn lets you customise the last part, so it is short and clean. Do that first: if you change it after printing, the code will break.
Copy the link and paste it above.
Step 2: a clean, professional code
Styled code is selected. For a CV, keep it simple: dark blue or black on white, square or soft-square dots. Add a small logo only if it suits your field. Check Scans well and download. Download SVG keeps it sharp in Word or a design tool.
Where to use it
- CVs and cover letters: in the header, next to your email and phone.
- Name badges at conferences and career fairs.
- Business cards, beside or instead of a contact card code.
- The last slide of a talk: “Let’s connect.”
- Email signatures, as a small image.
Tips
- Print your LinkedIn address as text too, for people reading on paper.
- Make sure your profile is public, or at least visible to people outside your network.
- Update your profile photo and headline before a big event; that is what people see first.
- For a CV, 2–2.5 cm wide is enough. On a badge, go bigger: 4–5 cm.
Common mistakes
- Linking to the edit page. Copy your public profile link, not an address that only works when you are signed in.
- A half-finished profile. If the code is on your CV, recruiters will look. Update your headline, photo and recent roles first.
- Changing your custom URL after printing. Old links do not redirect, so printed codes break.
- A colourful code on a formal CV. Dark blue or black on white looks professional and scans best.
At a career fair
Print the code big on your badge or a small card you hand out. When someone scans it, ask them to connect right there. A connection made face to face is much more likely to turn into a job chat later.
Questions people ask
Where do I find my LinkedIn profile link?
Open your profile and look for your public profile URL in the profile settings. It starts with linkedin.com/in/ followed by your name or a short code.
Should I set a custom URL first?
Yes. LinkedIn lets you change the end of your profile link to something short, like your name. Do it before you print, because changing it later breaks old links.
Is a QR code on a CV a good idea?
On printed CVs and at career fairs, yes. It saves recruiters typing. Also print the link as text, because some people read CVs on paper and do not scan.
What size should it be on a CV?
About 2–2.5 cm wide is enough. Black or dark blue on white works best and looks professional.
Can I link to my company page instead?
Yes. Copy your company page's link and paste it above.