What are LinkedIn QR codes?
LinkedIn QR codes are designed specifically for professional networking. Unlike traditional business cards that are usually forgotten or lost, your LinkedIn QR code stores the path to your complete professional profile in a scannable format that's always accessible on the LinkedIn app.
QR codes eliminate the awkward "Let me find you on LinkedIn later" moment – you know, the one that often results in never connecting at all. With a LinkedIn QR code, connections happen instantly, while the conversation is still fresh and your networking momentum is strong.
How to get a QR code on LinkedIn
Getting your personal LinkedIn QR code is surprisingly simple.
On the mobile app:
- Open the LinkedIn app
- Tap the search icon in the top navigation
- Look for the QR code icon in the top right of the search bar
- Voilà! Your unique QR code appears, ready to be scanned or shared
On desktop:
While primarily designed for mobile networking, you can also download your QR code from the desktop site under your profile settings to print or include in materials.
- Log in to your LinkedIn account on desktop
- Click on your profile picture in the top right corner
- Select "View Profile" from the dropdown menu
- On your profile page, click the "More" button (usually appears below your headline)
- Select "Save to PDF" from the dropdown menu
- This will generate a PDF version of your profile
- Alternatively, you can use the mobile app to save your LinkedIn QR code for profile as an image file, then email it to yourself or save it to cloud storage for use on desktop
5 genius ways to use LinkedIn QR codes
1. Conferences and networking events
Gone are the days of typing "John Smith from Acme Corp" into LinkedIn search and hoping you've found the right person among dozens of similar names.
Simply scan their LinkedIn profile QR code and connect instantly with the person you just met. This works brilliantly at conferences, where you meet lots of potential connections in a single day.
2. Adding to presentations and webinar materials
Include the QR code for LinkedIn on your final slide (or at the bottom of each slide) to transform passive viewers into active connections. While everyone else ends with a generic "thank you" slide, you're providing an actionable next step that builds your network with people who already know and trust you.
3. Include it in resumes and portfolios
Add your LinkedIn profile QR codes to printed resumes and portfolios. It signals your tech-savviness while making it effortless for recruiters to view your complete professional story – including recommendations and projects that wouldn't fit on a traditional resume.
4. Add your LinkedIn QR code to your email signature
Your email signature is prime digital real estate. Adding your LinkedIn QR code means every correspondence becomes a networking opportunity, particularly when your emails are forwarded or viewed on mobile devices.
5. Print it out
From business cards to brochures, adding your LinkedIn QR code to printed materials bridges the physical-digital divide. It's the perfect way to say, "There's more to my professional story, and I've made it incredibly easy for you to discover it."
LinkedIn QR code business cards: The perfect hybrid
The LinkedIn QR code business card represents the ideal marriage between traditional networking tools and digital innovation. By prominently featuring your LinkedIn QR code on your business card, you create a hybrid networking tool that respects conventional business etiquette while offering instant digital connectivity.
This smart approach allows recipients to quickly scan your card and view your complete professional profile, portfolio, and recommendations - all while providing the real-life exchange that many of us still love.
For maximum impact, position your QR code prominently on the card with a simple prompt like "Scan for my LinkedIn." This small addition transforms an ordinary business card into a gateway to your complete professional identity, ensuring you're remembered long after the initial meeting. Just remember - you need to be connecting with people who are likely to understand how to scan a QR code for real success.
Best practices for LinkedIn QR code success
- Optimal placement: Ensure your QR code is positioned with adequate white space around it for maximum scannability. LinkedIn's design already includes this buffer, but when integrating it into materials, resist the urge to crop too closely.
- Strategic deployment: While your QR code for LinkedIn is a powerful tool, context matters. It's perfect for situations where quick professional connections are appropriate – networking events, industry conferences, and business meetings. It might be less suitable for more formal documents or highly personal correspondence.
- Pair with a compelling profile: Sending people to an empty or outdated LinkedIn profile is like inviting guests to an unfurnished house. Before actively sharing your QR code, ensure your profile is complete with a professional photo, current experience, and engaging content that showcases your expertise. Feeling stuck with this? Find out more about our LinkedIn profile writing service.
Success stories: Real networking wins
Sarah, a freelance graphic designer, added her LinkedIn QR code to her portfolio displays at a design expo. What would typically result in a handful of business cards instead generated over 40 new quality connections in a single day, which she could easily follow up using The Lime One. Two of these connections turned into major client contracts.
Mark, a sales director, included his LinkedIn QR code on his presentation materials at an industry conference. An executive from another company who couldn't speak with him personally after his talk scanned the code, connected later that day, and eventually became a strategic partner for his organization.
Scan your way to a better network
LinkedIn is the best way to make networking more efficient and effective. The LinkedIn QR code is a perfect example.
In a world where your network often determines your net worth, learning how to get your LinkedIn QR code is definitely worth it.
And when you’ve connected with all of those connections, find out how to effectively follow up and turn them into clients with The Lime One