Include Or Not Include In Your

One of the most frequently asked questions I receive on LinkedIn is what to include or not include in the experience section of your profile. It’s essential to understand the best practices for optimizing this section to make a strong impression on potential employers, clients, and professional connections. In this article, we will explore the key factors to consider when determining which experiences to include and which ones to leave out on LinkedIn. Additionally, we will discuss how to maintain a concise profile that captures the attention of mobile users.

The Golden Rule: Relevance to Your Current Position

The guiding principle for deciding whether to include an experience on LinkedIn is its relevance to your current role. If the experience enhances your current position or demonstrates your professional growth and expertise, it is worth including. Including such experiences allows you to showcase the journey that led you to your current position and helps paint a clear picture of your career trajectory, ultimately building credibility with your audience.

Consider experiences that directly relate to your current field or industry. These experiences highlight the skills and knowledge you have acquired throughout your career, demonstrating your expertise in your chosen area. Including relevant experiences gives viewers a comprehensive understanding of your professional background and strengthens your positioning within your field.

LinkedIn Profile Length and Mobile Users

It is important to keep in mind that many LinkedIn users access the platform from mobile devices. Therefore, having a lengthy profile may discourage users from scrolling all the way to the end, resulting in the loss of their interest. To maintain their attention and engagement, it is crucial to keep your profile concise and focused on the most relevant experiences.

While it’s important to include key experiences that contribute to your current position, it’s equally important to be mindful of the length of your profile. Strive for a balance between providing a comprehensive overview of your professional journey and keeping the content succinct. Highlight experiences that truly showcase your skills, accomplishments, and contributions, while omitting ones that may not add significant value to your current profile.

Experiences to Keep

1. Current Field-Related Experiences: Including experiences that are directly related to your current field is essential. These experiences provide valuable context, showcasing your career progression and the skills you have acquired along the way. They help paint a clear picture of how you arrived at your current position, ultimately building credibility with your audience.

Consider experiences that have contributed to your growth in your current field. Highlight the roles and responsibilities that are most relevant to your current position. This can include positions held within organizations, projects you have worked on, and any notable achievements or milestones reached during your tenure. By including these experiences, you demonstrate your expertise and reinforce your credibility within your industry.

2. College Internships and Part-Time Jobs: College internships and part-time jobs can be included if they are relevant to your current position or contribute to the skills required for a job you aspire to have. These experiences can demonstrate your early career development, showcase your dedication to learning and gaining hands-on experience, and highlight specific skills that have helped shape your professional journey.

When deciding whether to include college internships and part-time jobs, consider the relevance of the skills you acquired during those experiences. If they provided you with valuable transferable skills or knowledge that align with your current position, including them can help provide a more comprehensive picture of your professional development. However, if the experiences are not directly relevant to your current field or are from an extended period in the past, it may be best to remove them to maintain a concise profile.

Experiences Not to Keep

1. High School Jobs Unrelated to Your Current Position: Including high school jobs that have no relevance to your current position is unnecessary and may clutter your profile. While these experiences may have been valuable during your formative years, they hold limited relevance in showcasing your current expertise and professional capabilities.

To maintain a focused and streamlined profile, it is advisable to exclude high school jobs unless they directly tie into your current field or demonstrate exceptional achievements or leadership roles during that time.

2. College Internships After Gaining Solid Experience: As you gain 1-2 years of solid experience in your field, previous college internships become less relevant. While they may have been instrumental in securing your first job or gaining initial industry exposure, they lose significance over time. Once you have established a career-related position and have been working in it for more than a year, these internships no longer need to be included in your profile.

Focus on highlighting experiences that reflect your professional growth beyond your college years. Emphasize the positions and projects that have had a direct impact on your career trajectory and demonstrate your current expertise.

Strategic Profile Optimization

In addition to considering the relevancy of experiences, there are other factors to optimize your LinkedIn profile effectively:

1. Highlight Key Achievements: Within each experience, emphasize the most significant achievements and contributions. Quantify results whenever possible to demonstrate the impact you made in your previous roles. Highlighting key achievements showcases your abilities and provides concrete evidence of your value as a professional.
2. Utilize LinkedIn Endorsements and Recommendations: Leverage the power of endorsements and recommendations to showcase your skills and receive validation from colleagues, supervisors, and clients. These endorsements and recommendations can strengthen your professional reputation and provide further credibility to your profile.
3. Update Your Profile Regularly: Keep your LinkedIn profile up to date by adding new experiences, certifications, and skills. Regular updates demonstrate your commitment to professional growth and help you stay relevant in your industry. Continuously reviewing and updating your profile ensures that it accurately represents your current skills, accomplishments, and aspirations.

By following these best practices, you can ensure that your LinkedIn profile presents a compelling snapshot of your professional journey. Remember that your LinkedIn profile is not just an online resume but an opportunity to showcase your expertise, build valuable connections, and leave a lasting impression on those who visit your profile. Continually evaluate and refine your experiences to create a concise, relevant, and impactful profile on LinkedIn.

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