Your CV and cover letter aren’t the only places you can demonstrate your skills…
Adding courses to your LinkedIn profile is one of the smartest ways to showcase your skills and commitment to professional and personal development. With many recruiters checking candidates' online profiles before making hiring decisions, keeping your LinkedIn up-to-date isn't just helpful - it's essential.
Whether you've completed a formal qualification, attended a webinar, or finished an online course, here's everything you need to know about adding courses to LinkedIn and making your profile stand out:
Why add courses to your LinkedIn profile?
Your LinkedIn profile gives you the perfect opportunity to complement your CV and show recruiters what makes you tick professionally.
Adding courses to LinkedIn demonstrates several key qualities that employers value:
- Commitment to growth - You're actively investing in your professional development
- Industry awareness - You stay current with trends and best practices in your field
- Initiative - You take action to improve your skills without being asked
- Relevance - You understand what skills matter in your industry
Plus, if the courses you've completed are directly relevant to a role you're applying for, they could be exactly what sets you apart from other candidates.
What types of courses should you include?
The good news? You don't need to limit yourself to formal academic qualifications. With continuing professional development (CPD) becoming increasingly important across industries, demonstrating your commitment to learning often matters more than specific qualifications.
Courses worth adding include:
- Professional certifications - Industry-recognised qualifications in your field
- Online courses - Completed programmes from learning platforms like Reed Courses
- Workshops and seminars - In-person or virtual training sessions you've attended
- Webinars - Relevant online presentations in your industry
- Software training - Courses on specific tools or platforms you use at work
- Skills-based learning - Training in areas like project management, digital marketing, or data analysis
Don't forget partial completion
Still working through a course? That doesn’t mean you can’t add it. Simply list the modules or units you've completed so far, showing you're actively developing your skills.
However, resist the temptation to add everything you've ever done. Focus on courses that are relevant to your career goals and won't overshadow other important aspects of your profile.
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Step-by-step guide: Adding courses to LinkedIn
Here's how to add courses to your LinkedIn profile:
Method 1: Adding courses manually
- Log in to your LinkedIn account
- Click 'View profile'
- On the right side of the page, click 'Add profile section'
- Scroll down to 'Courses' or ‘licenses and certifications’ and click to add
- Fill in the 'Course name'
- Complete the 'Number' field - include details like who ran the course, what level it was, software version, attendance date, or any other relevant information
- Specify whether the course was associated with your work experience or education
- Click 'Save' to add the course to your profile
Method 2: Adding LinkedIn Learning certificates
If you've completed courses on LinkedIn Learning, the platform makes it even easier:
- Go to LinkedIn Learning
- Click your profile picture and select 'My Library'
- Click 'Learning History'
- Find the completed course you want to add
- Click 'More (...)' next to the course title
- Select 'Add to profile'
- Choose whether to share the completion with your network
- Click 'Add to Profile'
Remember: you can only add courses you've fully completed through this method.
Best practices for showcasing your courses
Choose quality over quantity
Rather than listing every single course you've ever taken, focus on the most relevant and impressive ones. A few high-quality, relevant courses will have more impact than a long list of random certifications.
Keep descriptions concise but informative
When adding course details, include:
- Course provider or institution
- Completion date
- Level (if applicable)
- Key skills gained
- Relevance to your role
Update regularly
Make adding new courses to your LinkedIn profile a regular habit. Set a reminder to update your profile quarterly, or add courses as soon as you complete them.
Consider your audience
Think about who's viewing your profile. If you're targeting roles in digital marketing, prioritise courses in SEO, social media, and analytics. Looking for project management positions? Highlight your PMP certification or Agile training.
Making the most of your course listings
Connect courses to experience
Where possible, link your courses to specific work experiences or achievements. This helps recruiters understand how you've applied your learning in real situations.
Use relevant keywords
Include industry-relevant keywords in your course descriptions to help your profile appear in recruiter searches. But keep it natural and don't stuff keywords unnaturally.
Share completion updates
When you add a course, consider sharing an update with your network. This keeps you visible and shows your commitment to professional development. Just don't overdo it - one update per significant course completion is plenty.
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Common mistakes to avoid
Don't add irrelevant courses
That pottery class might have been enjoyable, but unless you're applying for creative roles, it probably doesn't belong on your professional profile.
Avoid outdated certifications
If a course is several years old and no longer relevant to current industry practices, consider removing it to make space for more current learning.
Don't exaggerate completion status
Listing incomplete courses as finished will likely backfire during interviews.
Frequently asked questions
Can I add free courses to LinkedIn?
Absolutely. Whether a course was free or paid doesn't affect its value on your LinkedIn profile. Focus on the relevance and quality of the learning rather than the cost.
Should I include the grade I received?
Only include grades if they're particularly impressive (distinction, high merit, or equivalent). Average grades are often better left out unless specifically requested.
How many courses should I add?
There's no magic number, but aim for quality over quantity. 5-10 highly relevant courses typically work better than 20+ random certifications.
Can I add courses I completed years ago?
Yes, but consider their current relevance. Technology courses from 2015 might be outdated, while leadership or communication courses could still be valuable.
What if I don't have any formal courses to add?
Start taking some relevant courses now. Many options are available online, including free courses from reputable providers. Check out our course recommendations for current industry needs, or browse all courses on Reed.co.uk now.
Should I add courses that aren't directly related to my job?
It depends. Transferable skills like project management, communication, or leadership are valuable across industries. However, completely unrelated courses might dilute your profile's impact.
Final thoughts
Adding courses to your LinkedIn profile is just one part of building a strong professional presence online.
Remember to keep your entire profile updated, engage with your network, and continue learning throughout your career.
Looking to boost your skills with a new course? Whether you're interested in digital marketing, project management, or data analysis, investing in your professional development is always worthwhile.
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse available jobs now or develop your skills with a course.
