A LinkedIn Profile Isn’t A CV, Unfortunately

It’s been a little while since our last blog post mainly because we want to make sure everything we publish helps job seekers in a meaningful, practical way! 
 
Right now, finding a new role in the games industry is tougher than ever. Competition is fierce, and standing out in a crowded market has never been more important. That’s why, as a recruiter, I can’t stress enough how crucial it is to have an up-to-date CV or resume in a proper document format, rather than relying on your LinkedIn profile alone. 
 
Yes, some people get hired from LinkedIn alone - but...

Before going any further, there are of course a lucky few who’ve secured roles using only their LinkedIn profile. but that’s the exception, not the norm, and most hiring journeys in games will still hinge on a strong, well-crafted CV & Portfolio at the start of the process. 
 
On a purely practical level, most ATS systems and application portals require a document upload, not a link. Even if you download your LinkedIn profile as a PDF, a human still needs to interpret it, and when hiring managers are quickly scanning through candidates, that familiar blue-and-white layout is more likely to be a subconscious turn-off than a help. 
 
Your CV tells the story, you control the narrative

In a busy job market, one of the best things you can do is present your experience, qualifications, and skills in a way that’s tailored and easy to digest. A personal CV allows you to control how your story is told, with proper formatting, hyperlinks in the right places, and clear, focused sections. Ask yourself: if you were hiring, would you choose the candidate with a personalised CV or the one who sent over a LinkedIn export? 
 
Beyond just layout and length, a CV gives you far more flexibility to guide the reader through your professional journey on your own terms. You’re not boxed into a rigid template or forced to follow the platform’s default structure. Instead, you can organise your skills and experience in a way that supports the specific roles you're targeting. When someone’s skimming through a dozen applications, having your strongest qualities presented cleanly and clearly makes all the difference. 

What studios think about LinkedIn PDFs
 
In our experience, some studios will flat out reject LinkedIn PDFs and honestly, I understand why, especially when roles require relocation. If you aren’t going to be able to commit to a personalised CV, how can a studio believe that you are ready to commit to a relocation etc? 
 
In a time of redundancies and job losses, competition is extremely high and it’s a controllable way to convey your motivation and enthusiasm for a new role. That extra 5% can genuinely make or break whether you get that first stage interview where you can really start to shine. 
 
It’s not about being difficult; it’s about making life easier for the people reviewing your application. Building a fresh CV might seem like a chore, but there are plenty of free templates and tools that can help you create something professional and flexible, something you can update quickly when opportunities arise. 
 
I get the appeal of wanting everything in one place. In theory, LinkedIn should be the dream your all-in-one portfolio, resume, and network hub. But the platform just isn’t there yet. For me, the idea of built-in CV templates on LinkedIn would be brilliant (I’m still amazed it hasn’t happened), but until something like that arrives, relying on it as your only CV will hurt your chances more than help them. 

30 Minutes of Effort Could Land You the Interview

Spending just 30 minutes creating a clear, editable CV that you can tweak and share as needed could be the difference between getting hired or being overlooked. That time investment now can dramatically improve your chances of landing your next role.