In November 1974, he enlisted in the People's Liberation Army Navy and served as a submariner for five years.

[1][2] In July 2010, following the merger of Xicheng District with Xuanwu District, Lin Duo was transferred to Harbin, the capital of Heilongjiang province in Northeast China, to serve as its Deputy Party Secretary and Mayor.

[1][2] In August 2014, during the anti-corruption campaign under Xi Jinping, Lin was transferred to Liaoning province, serving as Secretary of the Commission for Discipline Inspection, the provincial anti-corruption body, and a member of the provincial party standing committee.

[3] On 1 April 2016, Lin Duo was made acting Governor of Gansu province in northwest China, succeeding Liu Weiping, who had resigned and transferred to an academic position.

[3] On 11 April 2017, Lin was appointed as the CCP Committee Secretary of Gansu.