Linkedin Profile Tips: What To Write & How to Post About Your IT Certifications on LinkedIn
Last Updated on January 31, 2024
Showcase your IT certifications for potential employers on LinkedIn the right way with these helpful tips on what to post when adding a certification.
Be Thorough
LinkedIn allows you to showcase awards, accomplishments, project samples, and even product patents. Use keywords related to your certifications throughout your profile to improve your SEO and attractiveness to recruiters as well as common acronyms that job recruiters are seeking. Don’t be shy; this is your chance to make your certifications and accomplishments shine!
Be Relevant
While you want to be thorough, be careful of being too thorough. There is no need to list irrelevant or outdated certifications. You should also avoid listing basic skills employers can safely assume you already have. For example, job candidates for an IT position should already know how to use Microsoft Word. Unless you have an advanced certification in Word, there is no need to list it as a skill.
Follow Companies that Interest You
Connecting with IT companies, you’re excited about and interested in will give you first dibs on job postings and portray you as someone who makes the effort to show your interest. It is also worthwhile to comment or like their company updates – as you never know when name recognition may come in handy.
Use a Professional Photo
Nothing says amateur like a low-quality, low-resolution photo that you scanned and cropped out your best friend. Take the time to get a high-quality image of you in professional attire for your profile. It’s as easy as asking a friend with a great camera to take a good photo of you, or paying a little money to hire a professional. Either way, a first-rate profile picture matters!
Showcasing Your IT Certifications
You took the extra step to earn your IT certifications, so make sure to highlight them prominently in your accomplishments and certifications section! LinkedIn has an entire ‘Certification’ section where you can list and link to every certification you hold so viewers can read more in depth about what the certifications entail. LinkedIn even has a ‘Courses’ section, which lets you highlight relevant non-certification courses you’ve taken.
Post on LinkedIn
Don’t just be a passive user on LinkedIn. Posting on the platform not only gives you an opportunity to showcase your skills and accomplishment to potential employers, but also gives you a chance to push your name directly into the feeds of hiring managers, recruiters, and business leaders. In addition to posting course certificates, new skills, and certifications, sharing industry updates and news from companies you follow while using relevant hashtags can put your profile page in the feed of leaders across the IT industry.
LinkedIn Groups
Emphasize your interest and connect with others in your chosen field by joining LinkedIn groups for IT professionals. You may have to make a request to join the group, but once you’re in, it’s well worth it.
Some of the most highly populated groups include:
- Global Information Technology Professionals Association
- Information Technology: Jobs, Job Postings & Job Recruiters
- Technology Jobs Network
- Women in Technology International
- Information Security Careers Network
It will take some time, but the effort you put into making your profile great will pay off in the long run. So sit down, get settled, and go from LinkedIn newbie to All-Star.
If you’re looking to add a few more IT certifications to your resume, contact ONLC today.