How to Show Off Your Credentials on LinkedIn 💪

Adding a new credential to your LinkedIn profile the why and how.

Professional certificates and credentials can be a game-changer for your career. They demonstrate to potential employers your dedication and expertise in a specific skill or area of study. If you’ve recently completed a credential and are wondering how to showcase it on LinkedIn, you’re in the right place. In this article, I will guide you through the process of adding your credentials to your LinkedIn profile. 🌟

Certificates vs. Degrees: What’s the Difference? 🎓

To start off, it’s essential to understand the distinction between certificates/credentials and accredited degrees. While degrees require extensive study and typically come from accredited institutions, certificates and credentials focus on a specific skill or topic. They showcase your knowledge and competency in that particular area. Think of degrees as the full buffet and certificates/credentials as the mouthwatering appetizers. 😋

But here’s a word of caution: watch out for training programs that market themselves as offering “micro-degrees.” These are not equivalent to full degrees; they are merely another name for credentials. So, don’t let their fancy label fool you! 🚫

🗝️ Step 1: Register Your Credential

Before we dive into adding your credential to LinkedIn, it’s crucial to register it with the appropriate credential management agency. These agencies track and verify your earned credentials, providing prospective employers with proof of your achievements. IBM, for example, uses Credly, while other firms in the technical credential space include BadgeCert and Accredible. So, make sure you don’t skip this step! ⚠️

Once registered, agencies like Credly offer various options for sharing your accomplishments. You can choose to share them on social media, generate a verified certificate for printing, or even directly send proof to employers. It’s like having a personalized trophy cabinet! 🏆

📝 Step 2: Add a “Licenses and Certifications” Section

Now, let’s move on to the main event: adding the credential to your LinkedIn profile. If you haven’t already, navigate to your LinkedIn profile and click the “Add Profile Section” button, situated right below your header. Here’s where the magic happens! ✨

LinkedIn will present you with a list of profile sections you can add, but if you don’t see “Licenses & Certifications,” fear not! Simply click the drop-down arrow in the “Recommended” section, and voila! You’ll find additional options waiting for you. Ta-da! 🎩

Select the “Add licenses & certifications” option. Finally, recognition for all your hard work! 💼

📝 Step 3: Enter Your Credential Details

Once you’ve chosen “Add licenses & certifications,” you’ll be prompted with a credential entry form. Fill it out accurately, providing all the necessary information about your credential. If this isn’t your first rodeo, scroll down to your existing credentials and click the “+” icon to add your latest achievement. Let’s make that LinkedIn profile shine! ✨

Congratulations! Your hard-earned credential is now proudly displayed on your LinkedIn profile for the world (or potential employers) to see. 🌍

🤔 What About You?

Have you had the chance to explore the IBM AI course or any other exciting AI courses? We’d love to hear about other credential programs you’ve participated in and your thoughts on the learning experience. Let’s chat in the comments below! 💬

Don’t forget to follow my exciting tech projects and receive weekly updates by subscribing to my newsletter on Substack. You can also find me on Twitter at [@DavidGewirtz](https://twitter.com/davidgewirtz), Facebook at Facebook.com/DavidGewirtz, Instagram at Instagram.com/DavidGewirtz, and YouTube at YouTube.com/DavidGewirtzTV. Let’s connect! 🤝

🔗 Relevant Links:

1. Open to work? Three new LinkedIn features make job searching easier than ever
2. I took this free AI course for developers in one weekend and highly recommend it
3. The IBM AI Fundamentals certificate program
4. Looking for a PDF reader on Windows? Here’s our recommendation

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• Education
• Professional Development