Mastering Your LinkedIn Narrative: A Guide to Reordering Your Experience

How to Reorder Experience on LinkedIn? Reordering your experience section on LinkedIn is surprisingly straightforward. Simply navigate to your profile, scroll down to the “Experience” section, and use the drag-and-drop handles (the small grid icon usually on the right side of each job entry when in edit mode) to rearrange the order of your listed positions. This allows you to strategically highlight your most relevant or impressive roles, ensuring they capture the attention of recruiters and potential connections first.

Why Reordering Your LinkedIn Experience Matters: Beyond Chronology

The default chronological order on LinkedIn isn’t always the optimal way to present your professional journey. Think of your profile as your online resume – you want to lead with your strengths. Here’s why strategically reordering your experience is a power move:

• Targeted Messaging: Tailor the visible portion of your experience to the types of roles or industries you’re targeting. For instance, if you’re pivoting from marketing to data analytics, prioritize your roles or projects demonstrating analytical skills, even if they weren’t your most recent positions.
• Highlighting Key Achievements: Give prominence to roles where you achieved significant results or gained valuable skills. This showcases your impact and instantly communicates your value proposition.
• Narrative Control: Craft a compelling career narrative. By strategically ordering your roles, you can tell a more cohesive story about your professional development and aspirations.
• First Impressions: Recruiters often spend just a few seconds scanning a profile. Ensure the most impactful information is front and center.
• Addressing Gaps or Career Changes: While you shouldn’t fabricate anything, clever reordering can minimize the visual impact of career gaps or shifts in direction. Highlighting your relevant skills acquired later in your career can mitigate concerns.

Step-by-Step: Reordering Your Experience on LinkedIn

Let’s break down the process into a simple, actionable guide:

1. Access Your Profile: Log in to your LinkedIn account and click on your profile picture or “Me” icon in the top navigation bar. Then, select “View Profile.”
2. Navigate to the Experience Section: Scroll down until you find the “Experience” section.
3. Enter Edit Mode: Look for the pencil icon located on the right side of the “Experience” section header. Click on this icon to enter edit mode.
4. Drag and Drop: Once in edit mode, each job entry in your experience section will have a handle icon (it usually looks like a grid of small dots or lines) on its right side. Click and hold this icon, then drag the job entry to your desired position within the list.
5. Repeat: Repeat step 4 for each job entry you want to reorder.
6. Save Your Changes: After you’ve rearranged your experience to your liking, click the “Save” button at the bottom of the “Experience” section.

Important Note: You can only reorder existing entries. You cannot create new positions within the middle of the list. You need to add them at the bottom and then drag them to the desired location.

Advanced Strategies for Optimizing Your LinkedIn Experience

Beyond simple reordering, consider these strategies to make your LinkedIn experience section truly shine:

• Quantify Your Achievements: Whenever possible, use numbers and metrics to demonstrate your impact in each role. Instead of saying “Managed marketing campaigns,” say “Managed marketing campaigns that resulted in a 30% increase in lead generation.”
• Use Keywords Strategically: Incorporate relevant keywords throughout your experience descriptions. This will help your profile appear in search results when recruiters are looking for candidates with specific skills or experience. Research industry-specific keywords to ensure you’re using the right terms.
• Write Compelling Summaries: Each job entry should have a brief but impactful summary that highlights your key responsibilities and accomplishments. Use action verbs and focus on the value you brought to the organization.
• Leverage Multimedia: Where appropriate, add media (images, videos, presentations) to your job entries to showcase your work. This can be particularly effective for creative roles or projects.
• Request Recommendations: Ask colleagues and supervisors to write recommendations that highlight your skills and contributions. These provide social proof and add credibility to your profile.
• Keep it Current: Regularly update your experience section with your latest achievements and responsibilities. This shows that you’re actively engaged in your career and staying current with industry trends.

FAQs: Mastering Your LinkedIn Experience

Here are some frequently asked questions to help you further optimize your LinkedIn experience section:

1. Can I hide certain experience entries on LinkedIn?

Yes, you can hide specific experience entries from public view. While in edit mode for the experience section, click the pencil icon next to the job you want to hide. Then, under the “Visibility” setting, select “Only You.” However, it’s generally recommended to list all relevant experience, even if it’s not your primary focus.

2. How do I add a new experience entry on LinkedIn?

To add a new experience entry, go to your profile and click on the “Add profile section” button. Select “Experience” from the dropdown menu. Fill out the required fields, including your job title, company, dates of employment, and a description of your responsibilities and accomplishments.

3. What if I have a lot of short-term jobs? Should I list them all?

Listing every single short-term job can sometimes clutter your profile. Consider grouping similar short-term roles under a single entry, especially if they were in the same industry or involved similar responsibilities. For example, you could create an entry titled “Freelance Marketing Consultant” and list the various companies you worked with.

4. Can I reorder my education section as well?

Yes, you can reorder your education section in the same way you reorder your experience section, using the drag-and-drop handles.

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

Ideally, update your LinkedIn experience section whenever you take on new responsibilities, achieve significant results, or change jobs. Aim for updates at least every few months to keep your profile fresh and relevant.

6. Should I include volunteer experience in my LinkedIn profile?

Yes, absolutely! Volunteer experience can demonstrate valuable skills and qualities, such as leadership, teamwork, and dedication. Include volunteer roles that are relevant to your career goals or that showcase your personal values.

7. What’s the best way to describe my responsibilities and accomplishments in each job entry?

Focus on using action verbs and quantifiable results. Highlight the impact you made in each role and use keywords that are relevant to your industry. Keep your descriptions concise and easy to read.

8. Can I add multiple positions at the same company?

Yes, you can add multiple positions at the same company to show your career progression. Simply create a separate entry for each position you held, listing the different job titles and dates of employment.

9. How important is the “Skills” section on LinkedIn?

The “Skills” section is very important. Endorsements from your connections validate those skills. Make sure your skills listed are also keywords used to search for talents.

10. Should I list all my skills, even if they’re not directly related to my current career goals?

Focus on listing skills that are relevant to your current career goals or that demonstrate your overall abilities. You don’t need to list every single skill you possess, but make sure to include a comprehensive list of your core competencies.

11. Is it okay to ask former colleagues to endorse my skills?

Yes, it’s perfectly acceptable to ask former colleagues to endorse your skills. In fact, it’s a great way to build credibility and showcase your expertise. However, be sure to reciprocate and endorse your colleagues’ skills as well.

12. How can I see how recruiters view my LinkedIn profile?

LinkedIn Recruiter offers features to help recruiters view profiles and understand how candidates are being found. However, the standard LinkedIn platform doesn’t offer a direct way to see exactly how recruiters are viewing your profile. However, if you have LinkedIn Premium, you can see who has viewed your profile and gain insights into the types of companies and roles they represent. Pay attention to the keywords they use in their job titles and descriptions to further optimize your profile.

By mastering the art of reordering and optimizing your LinkedIn experience, you can take control of your professional narrative and attract the right opportunities. Your LinkedIn profile is your digital handshake – make it count!