How to Add Experience on LinkedIn: Crafting Your Narrative for Career Success

Adding your experience to LinkedIn is paramount to showcasing your professional journey and attracting the right opportunities. It’s more than just listing jobs; it’s about crafting a compelling narrative that highlights your achievements and skills.

To add experience on LinkedIn, follow these steps:

1. Navigate to Your Profile: Log in to your LinkedIn account and click on your profile picture or “Me” in the top navigation bar. Then, select “View Profile”.
2. Access the “Add Profile Section”: On your profile page, you’ll see a large “+ Add profile section” button. Click on it.
3. Choose “Experience”: A dropdown menu will appear. Under the “Core” section, select “Experience”.
4. Fill in the Details: A form will pop up where you can add the details of your experience:
   • Title: Enter your job title. Be as specific as possible.
   • Employment Type: Select the type of employment (Full-time, Part-time, Contract, Internship, etc.).
   • Company: Start typing the company name, and LinkedIn will suggest matches from its database. Select the correct one.
   • Location: Enter the city and state/region where you worked.
   • Start Date: Choose the month and year you started the job.
   • End Date: If you currently work at the company, check the “I am currently working in this role” box. Otherwise, select the month and year you left the job.
   • Description: This is the most crucial part. Write a detailed description of your responsibilities, accomplishments, and the impact you made. Use action verbs and quantify your results whenever possible.
5. Add Skills (Optional but Recommended): At the bottom of the form, you’ll find an option to add skills related to the role. This helps recruiters find you when searching for specific skill sets.
6. Add Media (Optional): Enhance your experience section by adding media like presentations, videos, or documents showcasing your work.
7. Save: Click the “Save” button to add the experience to your profile.

Optimizing Your Experience Section

While adding the basic information is essential, truly optimizing your experience section can significantly boost your visibility and impact. Consider these points:

• Use Keywords Strategically: Research the keywords that recruiters in your industry use when searching for candidates. Incorporate these keywords naturally into your job titles and descriptions.
• Quantify Your Achievements: Instead of simply saying “Managed social media accounts,” say “Managed social media accounts, increasing follower engagement by 30% in six months and driving a 15% increase in website traffic.” Numbers speak volumes.
• Focus on Results: Highlight the outcomes of your work. What positive impact did you have on the company? Did you save money, increase efficiency, or improve customer satisfaction?
• Tailor Your Descriptions: Customize your descriptions to align with the types of roles you’re seeking. If you’re targeting a specific industry, emphasize the experiences and skills that are most relevant to that industry.
• Use Action Verbs: Start your bullet points with strong action verbs like “Led,” “Managed,” “Developed,” “Implemented,” and “Achieved.”
• Keep it Concise and Readable: Use bullet points and short paragraphs to break up the text and make it easier to read. Avoid jargon and overly technical language unless it’s essential for the role.
• Proofread Carefully: Before saving your experience section, double-check for typos and grammatical errors.

FAQs About Adding Experience on LinkedIn

Here are some frequently asked questions about adding and managing your experience on LinkedIn:

1. How do I edit my existing experience on LinkedIn?

To edit an existing experience entry, navigate to your profile and scroll down to the “Experience” section. Click the pencil icon next to the experience you want to edit. Make your changes and click “Save.”

2. Can I reorder my experience entries on LinkedIn?

Yes, you can reorder your experience entries. In the “Experience” section, click the three horizontal lines next to the entry you want to move and drag it to the desired position.

3. How do I add a volunteer experience to LinkedIn?

Click the “+ Add profile section” button on your profile page. Under “Additional,” select “Volunteer Experience.” Fill in the details, including the organization, role, cause, and description.

4. Is it necessary to list every single job I’ve ever had on LinkedIn?

No, it’s not necessary to list every job. Focus on including the experiences that are most relevant to your career goals and that showcase your skills and accomplishments.

5. How do I add a skills section to my LinkedIn profile?

While adding experience, you’ll see an option to add skills directly associated with that role. Alternatively, go to your profile, click “+ Add profile section,” then under “Skills,” select “Add skills.” You can add and endorse skills separately as well.

6. What if I don’t have a formal job title? What should I put in the “Title” field?

If you don’t have a formal job title, use a descriptive title that accurately reflects your role and responsibilities. For example, “Project Lead,” “Marketing Coordinator,” or “Customer Service Representative.”

7. How do I list freelance work on LinkedIn?

You can list freelance work under the “Experience” section. Use “Freelance” or “Self-Employed” as the company name, and provide a clear description of the types of projects you’ve worked on and the skills you’ve used.

8. How can I show my career progression within the same company on LinkedIn?

Create separate entries for each distinct role you held within the same company. This allows you to highlight the different responsibilities and accomplishments you achieved in each position.

9. What if I’m still employed at a company but want to update my experience section?

You can update your experience section even if you’re still employed. Just make sure to accurately reflect your current responsibilities and accomplishments.

10. Should I add a description to every experience entry on LinkedIn?

Yes, adding a description is highly recommended. The description is your opportunity to showcase your skills, accomplishments, and the impact you made in the role.

11. How do I delete an experience entry on LinkedIn?

To delete an experience entry, navigate to your profile and scroll down to the “Experience” section. Click the pencil icon next to the experience you want to delete. Scroll to the bottom of the editing form and click the “Delete” button.

12. How often should I update my LinkedIn experience section?

You should update your LinkedIn experience section whenever you take on new responsibilities, achieve significant accomplishments, or change jobs. Aim to keep it current and relevant to your career goals. Regular updates will keep your profile fresh and visible to recruiters.

By following these guidelines and addressing these frequently asked questions, you can craft a compelling and informative experience section on LinkedIn that effectively showcases your professional journey and helps you achieve your career aspirations. Remember, your LinkedIn profile is your digital resume, so invest the time and effort to make it shine.