How do I get LinkedIn certified to learn?

Getting LinkedIn certified is a great way to learn new skills, demonstrate expertise, and advance your career. LinkedIn offers over 150 courses and certifications through LinkedIn Learning that can help you achieve your professional goals.

What are the benefits of getting LinkedIn certified?

Some key benefits of getting LinkedIn certified include:

• Learn in-demand skills – LinkedIn Learning courses teach skills like programming languages, graphic design, business analytics, and more. Getting certified shows you have mastered these valuable skills.
• Stand out to employers – Certifications look great on your resume and LinkedIn profile. They show employers you are dedicated to expanding your skills.
• Get noticed by recruiters – LinkedIn certifications give you badges and credentials. This makes you more visible and attractive to recruiters searching the platform.
• Boost your confidence – Gaining new certifications can boost your confidence in your abilities. You’ll feel empowered by your new skills and knowledge.
• Add industry credentials – Some certifications count as official credentials recognized by your industry. This can improve your reputation.
• Further your career – Certifications help you gain the skills needed for new career opportunities, promotions, leadership roles, and higher salaries.

What types of certifications does LinkedIn Learning offer?

LinkedIn Learning offers certifications in the following popular fields:

• Business – Leadership, project management, human resources, finance, sales, customer service
• Creative – Graphic design, photography, video production, music production
• Technology – Cybersecurity, AWS cloud computing, programming languages like Python and Java
• Software – Microsoft Office, Tableau, QuickBooks, Adobe products

Certifications are available for all skill levels from beginner to advanced. You can choose from courses to help get started in a new field or gain specialized skills to advance your career.

How do LinkedIn Learning certifications work?

Here is an overview of how LinkedIn Learning certifications work:

1. Choose your learning path – Browse LinkedIn Learning courses and select a learning path that aligns with your goals. Look for the ones that offer official certifications.
2. Take the courses – Work through all the video lessons, quizzes, and exercises in the learning path. Courses range from 2-25 hours depending on the material.
3. Earn a certificate of completion – Once you finish the requirements for the course, you earn a certificate of completion. This gets added to your profile.
4. Unlock the certification exam – After completing the course requirements, you can take the certification exam. Exams consist of multiple choice and practical questions.
5. Pass the exam to get certified – If you pass the exam (usually by scoring over 70%), you will earn the official certification. This also gets added to your LinkedIn profile.
6. Maintain your certification – Some certifications require renewal after 1-3 years through taking an exam or course. This keeps your skills up to date.

How much do LinkedIn Learning certifications cost?

LinkedIn Learning certifications are included with a monthly or annual LinkedIn Learning subscription. Here are the current pricing options:

• LinkedIn Learning plan – $19.99/month billed annually or $29.99 month-to-month
• LinkedIn Premium Career plan – $29.99/month billed annually (includes additional premium features)

Once you have a subscription, you can take as many courses and certifications as you want for no additional cost. Think of it as paying for access to the platform, not the individual certifications.

Many companies also provide employees free access to LinkedIn Learning and certifications as a professional development benefit. Ask your manager whether you already have access.

How long does it take to complete a certification?

Most LinkedIn Learning certifications take 15-30 hours including the video lessons, quizzes, and final exam. However, the time can vary significantly based on:

• Your existing skill level – Beginners will take longer to complete certifications in new software or fields.
• Study habits – Taking detailed notes, rewatching lectures, and making flashcards adds study time.
• Course length – LinkedIn Learning certifications range from 10 – 40 hours of content.
• Exam difficulty – Some certifications have more rigorous exams requiring more preparation.

Realistically, it takes most people 1-3 months to earn a certification. Going at a steady pace of 10 hours a week, you could complete one in about a month. Building in extra study time before the exam can help ensure you pass.

How do I display LinkedIn certifications on my profile?

After passing a certification exam, your credential will automatically be added to the Certifications section of your LinkedIn profile. Follow these steps:

1. Click the Me icon at the top of your LinkedIn homepage.
2. From the menu, select View profile.
3. Scroll down to the Certifications section.
4. Here you will see any certifications you have earned through LinkedIn Learning or other providers.
5. To add one not showing, click + Add certification and fill in the details.

Pro Tip: You can also showcase certifications at the top of your profile in the Intro section. This makes them more prominent to anyone viewing your profile.

How do I promote my LinkedIn certifications on my resume?

In addition to displaying certifications on your LinkedIn profile, make sure to highlight them on your resume. Here are some tips:

• Add a section titled “Certifications” under your Education or Professional Development sections.
• List each certification with the title, granting organization, and date acquired.
• Draw attention to the most relevant or prestigious certifications for each job.
• Emphasize certifications that are required or preferred for the position.
• Consider framing with a descriptive sentence like “Earned X certification demonstrating skills in Y.”

Promoting your LinkedIn Learning or other certifications on your resume shows employers concrete evidence of your knowledge, professional development, and desire to learn.

What are some of the top LinkedIn Learning certifications to get?

Here are some of the top LinkedIn Learning certifications that provide great skills and value in the job market:

Focus on certifications that align with your professional goals and interests. The more relevant the skills, the more value they will provide.

What tips do you have for passing LinkedIn Learning certification exams?

Here are some top tips for successfully passing your LinkedIn Learning certification exams:

• Take thorough notes – Don’t just passively watch the video lessons. Actively take notes for better retention.
• Do supplemental reading – Expand your learning with LinkedIn posts, web articles, books, etc on the topic.
• Study over several days – Spread out your studying over a week or two. Shorter, repetitive sessions are better than cramming.
• Retake quizzes – Redo course quizzes to identify weak areas you need to review.
• Find a study buddy – Having an accountability partner can keep you motivated.
• Get plenty of rest – Don’t take exams when tired. Your brain functions best when well rested.

The more thoroughly you prepare, the higher your chances of passing the certification exam, sometimes on the first try. Don’t underestimate the exams – take your study time seriously.

Which LinkedIn Learning paths are good for beginners?

If you’re new to LinkedIn Learning, it’s smart to start with some foundational courses to familiarize yourself with the platform and build core skills. Here are some top LinkedIn Learning paths for beginners:

• Learning LinkedIn Learning – Get started with the platform’s features.
• Business Communication Foundations – Writing, speaking, presenting.
• Business Strategy Fundamentals – Leadership, marketing, competitive advantage.
• Microsoft Office Essentials – Master Word, Excel, PowerPoint.
• Beginning Graphic Design – Photoshop, design principles, branding.

Look for paths that teach introductory skills in your field or provide a wide sampling of topics to help determine your interests. Focus on building a base before progressing to more advanced certifications.

Conclusion

Earning LinkedIn Learning certifications is one of the best ways to build your skills, stand out from other candidates, and reach your professional goals. Hopefully this article helped explain how LinkedIn Learning certifications work and how to maximize their impact. Look for courses aligned with your interests and career objectives. With consistent studying and preparation, you can earn certifications that pay dividends throughout your career.