LinkedIn skill assessments are online tests that allow you to showcase your knowledge and skills in various subjects and software programs. Passing a skill assessment gives you a “badge” that displays on your LinkedIn profile. But do these badges actually count as professional certifications?
What are LinkedIn Skill Assessments?
LinkedIn skill assessments are short, multiple-choice tests that measure your knowledge in over 140 skills across business, technology, and creative topics. Some examples of skill assessments include:
- Microsoft Excel
- Project Management
- Sales Management
- Social Media Marketing
- Graphic Design
- HTML
- JavaScript
The assessments are free to take and only take 1-5 minutes to complete. You can take them directly through the LinkedIn website. Once completed, your results and any earned badges will be displayed on your profile.
Do Skill Assessments Count as Certifications?
Strictly speaking, no – passing a LinkedIn skill assessment does not count as earning a professional certification. Here’s why:
- Certifications are typically granted by an accredited organization, program, or institution after completing a training course and passing a comprehensive exam. LinkedIn skill assessments do not provide official certification.
- Certification exams are usually proctored and require proof of identity. LinkedIn assessments are not proctored and can be taken by anyone anonymously.
- Certifications measure in-depth knowledge and skills gained through rigorous study and training. Skill assessments only evaluate basic or intermediate skills.
- Obtaining certification often requires paying a fee, while LinkedIn assessments are free.
- Certifications are time-limited and require renewal. LinkedIn skill badges do not expire.
So in summary, while LinkedIn skill assessments serve as credible tests of knowledge, they do not confer professionally recognized certification status. The badges earned demonstrate skills, but should not be misrepresented as official certificates.
The Pros and Cons of Skill Assessments
Despite not counting as official certifications, LinkedIn skill assessments do offer some valuable benefits:
Pros
- They serve as proof of your skills and knowledge in a particular area.
- They can help you stand out from other candidates in job applications.
- They demonstrate self-motivation to build and enhance your skills.
- They are free and easy to take.
- They allow you to benchmark your knowledge against others in your industry.
Cons
- They lack the depth and comprehensiveness of a certification.
- They are not verified by an accredited organization.
- They hold less weight and recognition than official certifications.
- They only cover very foundational knowledge.
- It’s impossible to fails some of the easiest skill assessments.
Overall, LinkedIn skill badges serve more as a supplemental indicator of skills rather than a replacement for certifications and advanced credentials.
Should You List LinkedIn Skill Assessments on Your Resume?
With skill assessments not counting as formal certifications, should you actually list them on your resume?
Here are some tips:
- Only list skills badges that are relevant to the job you are applying for.
- Group them under an “Additional Skills” or “LinkedIn Skill Assessments” section.
- Do not frame skill badges as equivalent to certificates earned at a college, university, or accredited program.
- Mention the specific skill assessed (e.g. Microsoft Excel) rather than just listing “LinkedIn.”
Some examples of how to list LinkedIn skill badges on a resume:
- Additional Skills: Microsoft Excel LinkedIn Skill Assessment (intermediate level)
- LinkedIn Skill Assessments: HTML, CSS, JavaScript
In short, it’s perfectly acceptable to list relevant LinkedIn skill badges on your resume as supplemental proof of knowledge, but don’t exaggerate their importance or misrepresent them as formal certifications.
How Recruiters View LinkedIn Skill Assessments
More and more recruiters are looking at LinkedIn profiles and skill badges when evaluating candidates. In one survey, 92% of recruiters said they viewed LinkedIn profiles when reviewing applicants.
In general, recruiters see LinkedIn skill assessments as:
- A good baseline indicator of skills, but not equivalent to professional credentials.
- A beneficial way to develop and showcase knowledge.
- A positive sign of motivation and initiative.
- Potential red flags if too many easy skill badges are listed (more than 15-20).
So while recruiters value skill assessments, they evaluate them with appropriate context. Some key points:
- Recruiters do not weigh skill badges as heavily as work experience.
- They serve more as tie-breakers between qualified candidates.
- They hold more value for recent graduates or those changing careers.
- Profession-specific certifications are still prioritized.
In other words, LinkedIn assessments can complement your profile, but your work history and formal education will still carry the most weight. Context matters.
Should You Take LinkedIn Skill Assessments?
Based on the potential benefits and limitations, should you take time to complete LinkedIn skill assessments?
If your goal is to:
- Benchmark your knowledge – The assessments can serve as useful tests of your skills.
- Showcase skills – They provide an easy way to demonstrate proficiency in areas relevant to a potential employer.
- Familiarize yourself with LinkedIn – Completing assessments allows you to become more comfortable using LinkedIn’s platform.
- Build confidence – Passing assessments can reassure you of your knowledge.
- Expand your skills – Preparing for assessments motivates self-study.
Then yes, LinkedIn skill assessments are worthwhile.
However, if your only goal is to pad your profile with credentials, badges earned through easy skill assessments likely will not impress recruiters on their own.
So focus on showcasing skills that directly relate to the job you want, rather than trying to complete as many assessments as possible.
Conclusion
Here are some key takeaways on whether LinkedIn skill assessments count as certifications:
- LinkedIn skill badges demonstrate knowledge but do not confer official certification status.
- Recruiters value relevant skill assessments but do not weight them as heavily as work experience.
- List skill badges appropriately on your resume rather than exaggerating their importance.
- Focus on assessments directly applicable to the job over inflating total badges earned.
- Supplement but don’t try to replace formal education and credentials with skill badges.
Used strategically, LinkedIn skill assessments offer a low-effort way to showcase relevant skills and knowledge. But they should complement rather than serve as substitutes for professional certifications and training.
