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A Practical Guide to LinkedIn Skills

By   ·  2 minute read

Optimizing Your Skills Section on LinkedIn 

According to LinkedIn, maintaining a relevant list of role-specific skills on your profile helps others understand your strengths and match you with the right opportunities. So what does this mean for you as a jobseeker?

Your skills section is one that is easy to overlook, but ignoring this keyword-rich section of your profile is a mistake. 

Here’s a quick guide to help you navigate through this section and optimize your profile for maximum impact. 

What is the LinkedIn Skills Section and why is it important?

Your skills section on Linkedin is where you have the opportunity to add up to 50 skills. When recruiters search, having the right skills (or keywords) on your profile will help you be found. You have the ability to add up to 50 skills and I recommend filling this section out completely. 

Adding role-relevant skills will help ensure that you show to the right recruiters when they are searching for potential candidates. 

How to add a LinkedIn Skills Section

If you don’t already have the section on your profile, you will need to add it. Here’s how to do it!

1: On your Profile page, click “Add Profile Section”

2: Select “Skills” from the drop down options 

Once you have a Skills Section, you’re ready to start adding!

How to Find the Right Skills to Add

The first method is by scanning job descriptions. Collect 3-5 target postings on LinkedIn and identify the top skills in each and where there is overlap. A few important notes:

  • Take care not to claim a skill on your profile if you don’t actually have the experience
  • Use variations for your skills such as Project Management, Project Planning, Projects
  • Don’t blindly add Skills/Endorsements if they are low value or not aligned with your brand 

The second method is a great way to identify high-value, role-specific keywords using those most often searched by recruiters for jobs you are targeting. 

To find suggested skills for job titles, use the following steps from your desktop

1)     Log in to LinkedIn

2)     Click the ME icon top right and View Profile 

3)     From the More menu under your photo, select Build a Resume

4)     Select Create from Profile

5)     Start typing job title and select – you MUST pick one from the list 

6)     Click Apply 

Reorder your skills 

Finally, one of the most overlooked skills feature is reordering! Your top 3 skills will be featured on your profile, so be sure these are your top skills. These should be the skills that exemplify you brand promise. These are typically the skills featured at the top of your resume, and also the ones that are showcased in your highlight reel with quantified achievements. 

Here’s a link to instructions on how to reorder your skills: 

Click the  Me icon at top of your LinkedIn homepage

Click View Profile.

Scroll down to the Skills section and click the Edit icon.

Click the More icon on the upper right of the Skills page.

Click Reorder from the dropdown.

In the pop-up window, click and drag the Sort icon to the right of the corresponding skill you’d like to reorder.

Now that you’ve completed the skills section, be sure to pay close attention to featured skills in jobs that you apply for. 

Your LinkedIn Profile is dynamic and a critical part of your job search!

Like any other section on LinkedIn, this should not be a set it and forget it situation! If you’re applying for jobs and notice that you continually see similar skills that are not on your profile, add them!

Feeling like your profile isn’t getting noticed? I help clients increase their profile visibility to attract their ideal work. Schedule a discovery call today at www.rhresumes.com/discovery.