In a competitive market, anything you can do to set yourself apart is vital to further your career. On your LinkedIn page specifically, you can add certificates to demonstrate industry experience.
That being said, with 900 million people on LinkedIn, there are bound to be many people with the same certifications. That’s why in this article, we’re teaching you everything you need to know about how to add certifications to your LinkedIn page. From selecting the right certifications to showcasing them effectively – our goal is to help you distinguish yourself from the competition.
So, if you’re interested in learning more about certifications, how to add them to your profile, and a few other tips to boost your LinkedIn game, this is for you!
Table of Contents
What Is a LinkedIn Certificate?
Most likely, you already know what a certificate is. On LinkedIn, certificates can help you close skills gaps by providing a wide range of content through LinkedIn Learning’s platform. In fact, LinkedIn’s Learning platform offers over 20,300 courses taught by industry experts to advance your career and acquire new skills.
The certificates through LinkedIn’s Learning platform are all different lengths. You can learn some simple skills in a few hours and some over the span of a few weeks. Some subjects include:
- Time management
- Marketing strategy
- Data analysis
- Small business
- Sales
- Copywriting
- UI/UX design
Of course, certificates aren’t exclusive to LinkedIn. You can also receive certificates from programs such as Google, Coursera, Udemy, and Skillshare.
If you’re interested in learning more, we recommend learning the basic essentials of SEO on LinkedIn.
Why Add Certifications To Your LinkedIn Page
According to LinkedIn, over 12 million members have a credential or certification to their profile. In fact, from 2020 to 2022, there has been a significant 44% increase in people adding certifications. Just these numbers alone show that it’s clear certifications are a worthwhile investment.
LinkedIn’s Learning platform has a wide range of 2,000 courses to choose from. Each course falls under a credential type:
- Skill Assesments: Skills assessments refer to timed, multiple-choice tests aimed at evaluating a learner’s expertise and proficiency in a particular skill or subject area. They are the most basic type of certification.
- Skill Quizzes: Similar to assessments, skill quizzes are also multiple-choice tests, but they differ from skills assessments as they are not timed and are designed to gauge a learner’s comprehension of a specific skill or concept.
- Course Certification: Course certifications are granted to learners who successfully finish a course on LinkedIn Learning. These certifications can be showcased on a learner’s LinkedIn profile, highlighting their newly acquired knowledge and skills.
- LinkedIn Learning Certificate: LinkedIn Learning certifications, in contrast, are awarded to learners who pass a proctored exam upon completing a Learning Path. A Learning Path consists of a curated collection of courses aimed at helping learners master a specific skill or achieve a career objective.
These four types of certificates can actually help you land a job. Many employers use some type of applicant tracking system to find qualified candidates. Usually, these systems are the reason recruiters message you about a certain position.
By adding a relevant certificate, the applicant tracking systems will be more likely to notice your LinkedIn profile. So, what are you waiting for… Go and add a certificate to your profile.
What Type of Certificate Can You Add To Your Profile?
As we said, your certificate doesn’t need to be gained directly through LinkedIn. It also doesn’t need to be strictly educational (although that is the most common). Here are a few different types of certificates:
- Educational Certifications: These are earned via formal education (like LinkedIn Learning). These certifications demonstrate your academic achievements and qualifications. They can also be a certificate from a college or university.
- Industry-Specific Certification: Industry-specific certifications are exactly what they sound like – certifications in a specific industry. Common examples are certification in data analytics, marketing, sales, or a specific programming language.
- General Certification: Unlike our other two examples, general certificates demonstrate your general knowledge and proficiency in a particular subject area, such as communication or leadership. It’s not industry-specific but rather a skill that can benefit someone in any career.
- Other Types of Certificates: Certifications that don’t fit into the categories mentioned above are grouped into the “other” category. This may include certifications related to languages, teaching, coaching, and more.
When it comes to adding certifications to your profile, the type of certificate you choose should depend on your level of experience and career position.
If you’re new to the field, industry-specific certifications can help you specialize. However, if you have an established career, educational certifications that highlight your advanced training and expertise may be more valuable.
Additionally, general certifications can demonstrate your broader skillset and transferable abilities, so they are worth considering as well. And, no matter what, any type of certificate shows your dedication to professional development.
Your LinkedIn page will stand out more if you have an engaging headline and summary. Learn to write one here.
How To Add a Certification To Your LinkedIn Page
Now here’s what you’ve been waiting for, how you can add a certification to your LinkedIn page.
- Navigate To Your Profile: To access your profile, simply click on the “Me icon” located at the top of your homepage. From there, select “View Profile” to see all of your information and details.
- Click the “Add to Profile” option under your amount of connections.
- Once you’re on your profile page, you can access the Recommended dropdown menu. From here, select the option to “Add licenses & certifications.”
- As you start typing in the name of the company your certificate is from, a list of options will appear. It’s important to choose the correct LinkedIn page of your organization so that its logo appears next to the certification. Afterward, fill in the remaining information based on your specific certification.
If you gained a LinkedIn certificate from LinkedIn’s Learning Program, you can directly add that certificate from the learning dashboard. You’ll see the option appear as soon as you complete the program.
Best Practices For Certificates on LinkedIn
Is it easy to add a certification to your profile? Absolutely! And the advantages of doing so are clear.
The biggest of these benefits is that you’ll make your profile stand out – meaning you’ll be able to generate more leads and receive more offers from recruiters.
However, there are a few things you can do to make these certificates work the best they can. Here’s what we recommend:
Share Your Certification With Your Network
Did you really get a certification if you didn’t post about it? We’re just kidding, but you should be sharing your certifications!
When you want to share your latest certification with your connections on LinkedIn, follow these simple steps:
1. Fill out all the necessary fields and click save after adding the course to your profile.
2. LinkedIn will notify you that your certification has been updated.
3. Select “Next” and follow the steps to share the news with your network.
4. When the confirmation pop-up window appears, make sure to check the “Share with network” box.
Use SEO Keywords in the Description
Just like Google, there’s SEO on LinkedIn. You should include relevant keywords in your headline, summary section, job experience, and, yes, in your certificates as well.
When adding your certifications, be sure to include relevant keywords in the course name, description, and any posts you share about your achievement. This will help your profile show up in more search results and make it easier for others to find you.
Here’s how you should use SEO for other parts of your LinkedIn page.
Keep Everything Up-To-Date
When filling out your certification information, it’s crucial to verify that everything is correct and current. Take a close look at details such as the course name, provider organization, and dates.
Even the smallest error can lead to confusion or misinterpretation when potential clients view your profile. It’s also important to remember to update your profile when your certification expires. This could mean retaking the course to obtain a new certification or removing the listing altogether. Keeping your information up-to-date will show that you pay attention to details and are committed to providing accurate information to potential clients.
Conclusion
Certificates are just another thing you can do to boost the visibility of your profile. While it won’t guarantee you a job, the right certificate can certainly help you stand out from candidates without any professional development.
If you’re interested in reading more articles just like this one, check out the rest of our blog.
