Adding a certificate to your LinkedIn profile is a great way to showcase your skills, education, and achievements. Certificates can boost your credibility and help you stand out from other candidates when applying for jobs or looking for new opportunities. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk through everything you need to know about adding certificates on LinkedIn.
Why Add Certificates on LinkedIn?
Here are some of the key benefits of displaying certificates on your LinkedIn profile:
- Demonstrate your expertise – Certifications quickly show what skills and knowledge you possess in a specific domain.
- Support your professional brand – Certificates reinforce your personal brand by highlighting your investment in continuing education.
- Increase discoverability – LinkedIn profiles with certifications tend to rank higher in search results on the platform.
- Spark new opportunities – Recruiters often search for applicants with specific certifications needed for open roles.
- Build trust and credibility – Completing rigorous certification processes transmits commitment and competence.
- Expand your network – New connections will come to you impressed by your list of credentials.
Given these advantages, it’s well worth taking the time to properly showcase your certificates from online courses, professional organizations, vocational programs, and top universities or companies.
What Types of Certificates Can I Add?
Many different certifications across industries and focus areas can be added to your LinkedIn profile. Here are some of the most common types:
- Professional certifications – Such as PMP, CFA, Six Sigma, SHRM-CP, PHR, etc. These demonstrate expertise in specialized business domains.
- IT certifications – Like CompTIA, Cisco, Microsoft, AWS, Oracle, etc. Verify proficiency with tech tools and systems.
- Online course certificates – From platforms like Coursera, edX, Udemy, LinkedIn Learning, etc. Show completion of skills training.
- College degrees – Associate’s, Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD, etc. Confirm your educational credentials.
- Skills assessments – LinkedIn Skills Assessments to prove abilities in programs, coding, software, etc.
- Licenses – Any state licenses for regulated occupations and professions.
Essentially, any credential that required training, exams, or qualifications to earn can be added. Just ensure it’s still valid and actively maintained if it has an expiration date.
How to Add a Certificate on LinkedIn
Adding a certificate to your LinkedIn profile only takes a few minutes. Follow these steps:
- Go to your profile page and click “Add profile section” next to your photo.
- Select “Licenses & certifications” from the dropdown menu.
- Click the “Add certification” button.
- Enter the name of your certificate or credential.
- Select the issuing organization from the dropdown menu (start typing to search).
- Enter the date range you held the certificate.
- Check the box if it’s an active certification that needs renewing.
- Click “Save” to add the certificate to your profile.
After adding the certificate, it will now appear in the Licenses & certifications section of your profile. You can repeat these steps to add multiple credentials.
Tips for an Impactful Certifications Section
Follow these best practices when adding your credentials on LinkedIn for maximum impact:
- Prioritize the most relevant certs to the top. Lead with those closely aligned to your target roles.
- Include logos for familiar issuing organizations when possible.
- Drop any expired or inactive certifications.
- Choose succinct certificate names that get to the point.
- Emphasize prestigious or highly recognizable credentials.
- Tailor to each audience. Arrange certs for relevance to your industry.
- Link to verification pages to substantiate legitimacy.
- Curate certifications over time as your career evolves.
Displaying Certificates in Other Profile Sections
In addition to the Licenses & certifications section, certificates can also be showcased in other parts of your LinkedIn profile:
Featured
Rotate highly prominent certifications in your Featured section for visitors to see immediately.
About
Mention certification completion and details in your About summary, especially for major credentials that tell your story.
Accomplishments
List out passing certification exams and earning credentials in your Accomplishments, like “Earned PMP certification”
Education
If you completed a certification as part of a college or university program, put it under your degree.
Skills
For sought-after professional skills tied to certifications, add them here reinforced by your credentials.
This shows you have diverse ways to highlight your most noteworthy certificates beyond just the Licenses & certifications section.
Promoting Your Profile Certifications
To maximize the impact of your LinkedIn certifications, implement promotion strategies like:
- Share certificate additions with your network in posts. This raises visibility.
- Mention credentials in your profile headline or summary. Draw attention to standout ones.
- Comment on content and join discussions where expertise from your certs adds value.
- Connect with other members who have the same certificates. This expands your niche network.
- Follow and contribute to LinkedIn Groups focused on your certification areas. Position yourself as an expert.
- Get endorsements from colleagues for skills related to your certifications. This validates your knowledge.
Actively highlighting your credentials boosts the impact they can have on your professional brand and opportunities.
Do’s and Don’ts for Profile Certifications
To ensure your certifications section positively represents you on LinkedIn, keep these dos and don’ts in mind:
DO:
- Verify all details are accurate and credentials are active/current.
- Showcase certifications aligned with your professional goals.
- Use official certificate names and correct issuing organizations.
- Link to credential verification pages when possible.
- Renew expired certifications if you still actively apply the skills.
DON’T:
- Pad your profile with outdated, irrelevant, or inactive certifications.
- Exaggerate or embellish credentials you don’t actually hold.
- Misrepresent certificate completion dates or requirements.
- Mention proposed future certifications not yet completed.
- List education or courses that didn’t lead to a formal certification.
Authenticity and accuracy will make your certifications stand out positively.
FAQs
What is the benefit of having a certificate logo?
Displaying official logos for major certification programs you’ve completed adds legitimacy and brand recognition. Familiar logos like a CFA or PMP quickly communicate your high-level skills.
How do I verify a certificate on LinkedIn?
You can link to credential verification webpages that confirm certificate authenticity. Some certifications also have verification IDs you can include. Or request endorsements from colleagues who can vouch for your certification.
Should I include expired or inactive certifications?
Avoid listing credentials that are no longer valid or active, as this may misrepresent your current qualifications. However, you can include recently expired certs along with renewal dates if you are planning to re-certify soon.
What if I earned a certificate outside of LinkedIn Learning?
Certificates earned on almost any platform can be added – online learning sites, universities, training programs, professional associations, etc. As long as an organization formally issued the credential, it can be showcased.
Can I reorder certifications on my profile?
Yes, you can drag and drop certifications in your Licenses & certifications section to customize the order and prioritize the most relevant ones to the top.
Should I get LinkedIn Skills Assessments for my certifications?
Absolutely. Passing Skills Assessments related to your certification areas further validates those skills for recruiters. The Assessments also earn you badges to display on your profile.
Conclusion
Adding certificates and certifications to your LinkedIn profile provides tangible proof of your professional capabilities and commitment to education. By following best practices for highlighting your credentials, you can stand out and open more doors for career growth.
So take the time to properly showcase any degrees, diplomas, licenses, skills assessments, and other qualifications you’ve earned. Certifications speak volumes, so ensure your profile strategically conveys your greatest assets to maximize new connections and opportunities.
