How to Add Professional Certifications On LinkedIn

In the most competitive times we are living, it is of crucial importance that we always put our best professional face out there, and showcasing our Certifications on our LinkedIn Profiles will contribute considerably in this direction.

What are LinkedIn Certifications?

The Certifications section is a very interesting section of your Profile!

Your LinkedIn Profile is a portrayal of your professional education and accomplishments. That being said, if you have received a professional Certification, it is critical to add it to your Certifications section of your Profile on LinkedIn. Keep in mind though that not every job is going to have them, however there are some occupations that you live and die by your Certifications!

Let me give you some more reasons why you should add a Certification in your LinkedIn Profile. Since:

☑ It showcases you as a recognizable expert in your field.

☑ It adds credibility, builds trust & adds value to your LinkedIn Profile.

☑ It demonstrates your unique skills and experiences and helps you stand out from the crowd.

☑ It shows that you are committed to broadening your professional education (beyond a degree at a traditional university) and also that you are staying up to date with the latest developments in your area of expertise.

☑ It helps your career and attracts new business opportunities.

☑ It assists you to stand out and get discovered by individuals who are looking for professionals with your credentials (e.g. potential employers – recruiters – hiring managers).

☑ Lastly, including this section will assist you in reaching your target of having a fully completed and enhanced LinkedIn Profile.

Dan Shapero, product manager at LinkedIn said in a blog post that “It’s more important than ever to make sure you stand out professionally in today’s workforce, and our data suggests that adding certifications to your profile helps you attract opportunity,”. Moreover in the same blog post, he states that “the ways in which we market ourselves as individuals, brands, potential employers and employees have shifted dramatically in recent years, making it critical that we always put our best foot forward online and off,”.

To add a Certification in your LinkedIn profile, follow these steps:

1. From “Add a section to your profile” click on “View More”
2. Look for “Certifications” and select “Add certifications”:
3. Fill in your “Certification” section accordingly:
   1. Enter the “Name” of your Certification.
   2. Your “Certification Authority” – i.e. WHOM are you certified by. Usually as you type the name of your Certification Authority in the relevant field, a drop down list will appear from which you can select and thus provide your LinkedIn Profile’s visitors with a link to the particular Certifying entity. If your Certification Authority is not included in the drop down, don’t worry, just type it in.
   3. The Certification’s “License Number” (if there exists one).
   4. Assign a “Certification URL” if you have a web location relating to your Certification (this will transform your Certification into a clickable hyperlink leading to the particular web location of your Certification).
   5. Finally fill in the “Dates” of your Certification.
4. When you are finished, click “Save”.

According to LinkedIn, people who include certifications receive six times more views of their LinkedIn Profiles.

So what are you waiting for? Your next career-shaping opportunity might be just around the corner! Showcase your Certifications in your LinkedIn Profile and Get Ahead!