How do I delete my work history on LinkedIn?

Having an up-to-date LinkedIn profile is important for networking and career opportunities. However, you may wish to remove some employers or experiences from your work history on LinkedIn for various reasons. Here are some quick tips on how to delete work history from your LinkedIn profile.

Should You Delete Work History on LinkedIn?

Before deleting any work history, think carefully about your reasons for doing so. Here are some common reasons people delete work history on LinkedIn:

• You had a short-term job or internship that is not relevant anymore
• You want to remove an employer you did not have a good experience with
• You have limited space in your Work Experience section and want to prioritize more recent or relevant roles
• You have a gap in employment you would rather not highlight
• You do not want certain connections seeing your full work history

As you can see, there are valid reasons to remove or minimize older positions from your profile. However, a complete work history also demonstrates longevity and establishment in your career. Having no history at all can raise questions.

When in doubt, consider if a role truly no longer serves your personal brand and networking goals. For example, deleting internships once you are mid-career may make sense. But use caution when removing reputable employers just because you no longer work there.

How to Delete Work History from LinkedIn Profile

If you decide to delete work history from your LinkedIn profile, here is how to do it:

1. Go to your LinkedIn profile page and click “View profile” to access editing mode.
2. Scroll down and click the “Experience” section.
3. Click the three dots or options menu next to the position you want to remove.
4. Select “Delete position” from the drop-down menu.
5. Confirm the deletion in the pop-up window.

The job position will be immediately removed from your profile. Keep in mind that some connections may still see the role listed under “Past” positions if they previously viewed your full profile.

Tips for Deleting Work History from LinkedIn

Here are some tips to smoothly delete work positions from LinkedIn:

• Remove the oldest and least relevant positions first.
• Consider keeping at least 5-7 recent jobs for a robust work history section.
• Revise your profile summary, skills, and accolades to align with your remaining work history.
• Customize your profile visibility settings if needed.
• Use stepped viewing options to reveal more roles gradually.

With stepped viewing, you can showcase 3-5 top positions to all visitors initially. More roles then load as viewers click “Show previous jobs”. This lets you highlight your best work history first.

What Happens When You Delete Work History on LinkedIn?

Here’s an overview of what happens after you delete work history from your LinkedIn profile:

• The job no longer appears in your experience or profile.
• The position may still show under “Past” jobs for some existing connections.
• Connections can no longer endorse you for skills related to that role.
• Your work history timeline will have a gap if other roles don’t fill it.
• Fewer jobs are available for your connections to view and engage with.
• It does not delete any contacts made or content shared during that period.

In summary, removing work history affects what visitors see when viewing your profile but does not erase historical interactions or connections. Proceed cautiously if avoiding visible employment gaps.

Can You Re-Add Deleted Work History on LinkedIn?

Yes, it is possible to restore deleted positions to your LinkedIn profile. To re-add a deleted job:

1. Go to your profile and click “Add profile section.”
2. Select “Experience” and choose the job you want to reinstate.
3. Enter the prior company name, dates, location, etc.
4. Click “Save” to add the experience back to your profile.

The previously deleted role will again be visible in your experience section. Keep in mind you’ll have to re-add any details, media, or descriptions that were removed.

When to Consider Re-Adding Deleted Work History

Common situations when you may want to restore deleted work history include:

• If you change your mind after removing content.
• When preparing for a job search in a similar role or industry.
• If a position becomes relevant again later in your career.
• When you want to showcase career longevity and a consistent work history.
• To regain skills endorsements or contacts associated with the employer.

Having flexibility to remove or re-add content lets you adjust your profile for current goals. But avoid excessive edits that may raise questions.

Conclusion

Online profiles like LinkedIn are dynamic tools that can change over your career lifespan. While removing work history should not harm your actual reputation, it does impact what network visitors see. Delete old positions strategically with career advancement in mind. And know that you can restore content down the road if needed.