Quick answer: You can add your veteran status on LinkedIn by editing your profile. Go to your profile and click “Add profile section”. Then click “Status” and select “Veteran”. This will allow you to share your veteran status with your network on LinkedIn.
Adding your veteran status on LinkedIn can be beneficial for connecting with other veterans, getting recognized by recruiters looking to hire veterans, and proudly sharing your service background. Follow the step-by-step instructions below to add your veteran status on LinkedIn.
Steps to Add Veteran Status on LinkedIn
Here is a step-by-step guide on how to add your veteran status on LinkedIn:
1. Go to your LinkedIn profile
Log in to your LinkedIn account and go to your profile page. This can be done by clicking on “Me” at the top of your homepage.
2. Click “Add profile section”
On your profile page, find the “Add profile section” link on the right side. Click this link.
3. Select “Status”
This will open a window with different status options. Click on “Veteran”.
4. Fill in the details
You will now see fields to add details about your veteran status. Enter information like your branch of service, rank, dates of service, awards received, etc.
5. Click “Save”
Once you’ve filled in the relevant details about your service, click “Save” at the bottom to add this section to your profile.
Customizing Your Veteran Status Section
Once you’ve added your veteran status to your LinkedIn profile, you can customize this section with relevant details for your career and networking goals:
– Branch of service
Specify which branch of the military you served in – Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, National Guard, Reserves, etc.
– Rank
Add your military rank to showcase your leadership experience – Private First Class, Captain, Sergeant, Lieutenant Colonel, etc.
– Service dates
Highlighting when you served helps showcase the time period of your military experience.
– Awards/badges
Listing military awards, service medals, badges demonstrates your achievements and honors received.
– Photos
Adding photos of yourself in uniform, special ceremonies, deployments brings your service story to life.
– Description
Use the description field to provide an overview of your roles, responsibilities, skills gained, and any deployments.
Tips for an Impactful Veteran Status Section
Here are some tips to make your LinkedIn veteran status section as impactful as possible:
– Tailor it to civilian careers
Focus on translating your military experience into civilian workplace skills like leadership, teamwork, problem-solving, attention to detail, etc.
– Quantify achievements
Use numbers to quantify accomplishments like “Led team of 12 people” or “Managed $2M budget” to showcase your capabilities.
– Include technical skills
Listing technical skills gained from military training like cybersecurity, avionics, logistics, healthcare can help you stand out for civilian jobs.
– Spotlight transferable soft skills
Highlight soft skills developed through service like work ethic, resilience, loyalty, respect, honor, discipline that bring value to any employer.
– Express pride
Use language that shows you take pride in your service and feel it helped develop leadership, character, skills that aid your career.
Benefits of Adding Veteran Status on LinkedIn
Displaying your veteran status prominently on your LinkedIn profile can provide many advantages:
– Connect with fellow veterans
Veterans often like to network with fellow vets. Your status facilitates this.
– Get discovered by veteran recruiters
Recruiters may search for “veteran” on LinkedIn when looking to fill roles.
– Showcase leadership abilities
Your service experience demonstrates discipline, work ethic and other leadership strengths.
– Share your background
Adding your status allows you to proudly share information about your military history.
– Qualify for veteran jobs
Some companies give hiring preference to veterans and your status makes you eligible.
– Inspire other veterans
Your story and accomplishments can motivate other veterans in their civilian careers.
Do’s and Don’ts
Here are some do’s and don’ts to keep in mind when adding your veteran status on LinkedIn:
Do:
- Highlight transferable skills gained from service
- Tailor details to your civilian career goals
- Quantify accomplishments and impact
- Use proud, positive language about your service
- Focus on how your background adds value as an employee
Don’t:
- Use excessive military jargon or acronyms
- Make political statements about military conflicts
- Only list military skills not relevant to civilian roles
- Leave out accomplishments or measurable impacts
- Write vaguely about your roles and responsibilities
Sample Veteran Status Section
Here is an example of a strong veteran status section on a LinkedIn profile:
U.S. Army Veteran
10 years experience serving in the U.S. Army as a Logistics Officer. Led teams of up to 50 soldiers and managed millions in assets with responsibility across supply chain, transportation, and facilities functions. Deployed 3 times overseas to Iraq and Afghanistan.
Rank: Captain
Service Dates: January 2008 – January 2018
Skills Gained: Leadership, Supply Chain Management, Inventory Control, Risk Management, Team Building, Microsoft Excel
Awards: Army Commendation Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, National Defense Service Medal
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some commonly asked questions about adding veteran status on LinkedIn:
Why should I add my veteran status on LinkedIn?
Adding your veteran status allows you to connect with other veterans, get discovered by recruiters, showcase your leadership skills, and share your military background. It highlights your experience and skills gained from service.
Where do I add my veteran status on my LinkedIn profile?
You can add it as a profile section by going to your profile, clicking “Add profile section”, selecting “Status”, and choosing “Veteran”. This allows it to display prominently.
What details should I include in the veteran status section?
Include your branch of service, rank, service dates, skills gained, awards received, and a description of your roles, responsibilities, and accomplishments. Tailor details to your civilian career.
Should I create a separate military experience section?
You can but it’s not necessary. Many choose to integrate their military experience within the overall “Experience” section, along with civilian roles.
How does adding my veteran status help my job search?
It helps you connect with veteran recruiters, qualify for veteran designated roles, and demonstrate transferable skills to civilian employers.
Conclusion
Adding your veteran status on LinkedIn provides a way to share your military background, connect with other veterans, and gain exposure to recruiters looking for your experience. Follow the instructions above to edit your profile and add a “Veteran” status section. Tailor the details to focus on skills that translate to the civilian workplace. Adding this visible indicator of your service can enhance your LinkedIn presence and job search.
