How to update your LinkedIn profile: a free step-by-step guide
Your LinkedIn profile is often one of the first places employers look when evaluating candidates. Keeping it updated helps recruiters understand your skills, experience, and career goals. Follow the nine steps below, then download the free Updating Your LinkedIn Guide with a printable checklist.
- Training careers nationwide since 2006
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Why LinkedIn matters
Your LinkedIn profile is your digital first impression
Before scheduling interviews, most employers search for candidates online. LinkedIn is often the first result, and it acts as a living extension of your resume.
For anyone who has recently earned a certificate, updating LinkedIn quickly signals momentum. It tells employers you are active, current, and intentional about your career growth. Think of it as a searchable portfolio and networking platform combined.
Recruiters use LinkedIn to
- Search for candidates by skills
- Review work history
- Evaluate communication style
- Confirm credentials
- Assess professional engagement
The 9 steps
Nine steps to a profile recruiters can find
Work through them in order. Each step takes one section of your profile, and the details for every step follow below.
An optimized LinkedIn profile does more than list your background. It positions you in the job market.
Up to 220 characters that point toward the job you want.
4 to 6 short paragraphs that answer one question: what can you contribute?
Licenses and certifications, with Digital Workshop Center as the issuer.
Position your training as applied experience.
10 to 15 skills drawn from real job postings.
Projects, portfolio links, and your best piece in the Featured section.
Share the achievement and tag Digital Workshop Center.
Focused job titles, preferred locations, and the right visibility.
Use career coaching for profile feedback, resumes, and interviews.
Step 1
Update your headline
Your headline appears everywhere: in search results, connection requests, comments, and messages. You have up to 220 characters to communicate your professional direction, so avoid leaving it as a previous, unrelated job title. Use it to point toward where you are going.
Strong headlines
- Include keywords from job postings
- Reflect your new credential
- Indicate your focus area
- Avoid vague language
If you are seeking employment, phrases such as "Seeking an Entry-Level Project Management Role" or "Open to Data Analyst Opportunities" are appropriate. Recruiters search by keywords, so match the language employers use.
Example headlines
Project Management Certificate Graduate | Agile, Risk Planning, and Stakeholder Communication
Data Analytics Certificate Graduate | Excel, Power BI, and Data Visualization
Digital Marketing Professional | SEO, Campaign Strategy, and Analytics
Name your credential accurately. A DWC program earns a professional certificate issued by Digital Workshop Center, so "Certificate Graduate" says it clearly. Save "Certified" for an industry certification you have passed, such as a CompTIA exam.
Step 2
Rewrite your About section
The About section gives you space to connect the dots between your past experience and your new credential. Use 4 to 6 short paragraphs, and lead with your strongest sentence: only the opening lines show before "see more."
Employers scan quickly. Keep paragraphs concise and focused on value, and answer one question clearly: what can you contribute?
Step 3
Add your certificate correctly
Adding your certificate properly increases credibility and search visibility. Keeping certifications organized and current signals professionalism and attention to detail.
Open Add profile section
On your profile, select Add profile section, then Recommended.
Choose licenses and certifications
Select Add licenses & certifications.
Enter the full name
Type the certificate name exactly as it appears on your certificate.
Select DWC as issuer
Type Digital Workshop Center and pick the official page so the logo appears.
Add the date and skills
Add the month and year you finished, any credential URL, and your skills. Then save.
Prepared for an industry certification exam such as CompTIA A+, Network+, or Security+? List that certification separately once you pass, with the exam vendor as the issuer. LinkedIn menu names change from time to time; look for Licenses and certifications in the Add profile section menu.
Step 4
Update your Experience section
If you are changing careers, your certificate program may be your most relevant recent experience. You can list it under Education, or under Experience, which we recommend for career changers.
When you add it under Experience
Title: Certificate Program: your program name
Organization: Digital Workshop Center
In the description, include
- Software platforms used
- Real-world projects completed
- Methodologies practiced
- Outcomes or measurable results
Example description lines
Developed a multi-phase project plan using Agile methodology
Built interactive dashboards using Power BI
Designed brand assets using Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop
Concrete examples demonstrate capability. Employers want evidence of skill application.
Step 5
Add skills strategically
LinkedIn uses the skills on your profile to match you with recruiter searches. Add at least 10 to 15 relevant skills connected to your field.
Review job postings for your target roles and note the keywords that keep coming up. If they align with your training, add them. Then choose your top skills to feature at the bottom of your About section; it increases clarity when someone scans your profile.
Project management
Agile, Scrum, Risk Assessment, Budget Tracking, Stakeholder Communication
Data analytics
Excel, SQL, Data Visualization, Dashboard Reporting, Power BI
Digital marketing
SEO, Google Analytics, Campaign Strategy, Email Marketing, Social Media Strategy
Add skills to your certificate, experience, and project entries too, so recruiters see where you used them.
Step 6
Show your work
A certificate tells employers what you learned. Projects show what you can do. Even classroom projects demonstrate practical ability when you describe them clearly, and strong descriptions can set you apart from other entry-level applicants.
- Add them to the Projects section of your profile
- Upload documents or images
- Link to Behance, GitHub, or a personal website
- Describe projects under Experience
- Put your best piece in the Featured section
Steps 7 and 8
Announce your graduation, then turn on Open to Work
Posting about your achievement and signaling your direction both put your updated profile in front of more people. Professional visibility compounds over time.
Step 7: Post a graduation announcement
Posting about your graduation increases engagement and shows LinkedIn your profile is active. Your post should include:
- The name of your certificate
- Skills gained
- Gratitude for your instructors
- Your career direction
Tag Digital Workshop Center so your post connects to the broader alumni community. It may lead to congratulatory comments, more profile views, networking opportunities, and employer visibility.
Step 8: Turn on Open to Work strategically
Choose specific job titles, preferred locations, onsite, hybrid, or remote preferences, and your start date. Avoid listing too many unrelated titles; focus improves recruiter matching. Choose who sees it:
- Recruiters only
- All LinkedIn members, which adds the #OpenToWork frame to your photo
Example of a focused title set: Data Analyst, Reporting Analyst, Business Intelligence Analyst. Being precise about your direction demonstrates clarity and professionalism.
Step 9
Keep building momentum with career coaching
Updating LinkedIn is one step in your broader career strategy. DWC certificate program students get up to 4 career coaching sessions a month during their program, then 1 session a month for up to 6 months after graduation. Your certificate is a foundation; strategic visibility turns it into opportunity.
A career coach can help with
- Profile feedback
- Resume review
- Interview preparation
- Job search planning
- Portfolio critique
Checklist
LinkedIn profile update checklist
Work through it here, or print the checklist from the free PDF and tick each item as you go.
Profile updates
- Updated headline with certificate and key skills
- Rewrote About section to reflect new direction
- Added certificate under Licenses and certifications
- Updated Experience section with program projects
- Added 10 to 15 relevant skills
- Chose top skills for your About section
- Uploaded or linked portfolio projects
- Posted graduation announcement
- Tagged Digital Workshop Center
- Turned on Open to Work with targeted job titles
- Followed the Digital Workshop Center LinkedIn page
- Connected with at least 5 classmates
Bonus career boost
- Booked a career coaching session
- Reviewed resume after updating LinkedIn
- Applied to at least 3 targeted roles
Reminder: done is better than perfect. Update it this week.
Free download
Get the free LinkedIn guide
Our Updating Your LinkedIn Guide walks you through simple steps to strengthen your profile and improve your visibility to employers. What you will learn:
- How to write a stronger LinkedIn headline
- Ways to improve your summary (About) and experience sections
- How to highlight skills employers are searching for
- Tips to make your profile more visible to recruiters
- A printable LinkedIn profile update checklist
Free, 14 pages, PDF. No form or email address required.
Keep going
Build the skills behind your profile
Every DWC certificate program is taught live online by working professionals and ends with a professional certificate issued by Digital Workshop Center, with career coaching included.
Data, AI, and web development
IT and cybersecurity
Design, media, and marketing
Business, finance, and project management
Digital foundations
"The instructors were all supportive and seemed genuinely invested in our success. They also offer career coaching sessions which can be really helpful."
FAQ
LinkedIn profile questions, answered
Still have questions? Attend a free info session or call 970-980-8091.
Is this LinkedIn guide really free?
Yes, 100% free. Download the PDF directly from this page. There is no form to fill out and no email address required.
How long can a LinkedIn headline be?
LinkedIn headlines allow up to 220 characters. Use them to name the role you are aiming for, your new credential, and two or three skills employers search for.
Where should I add my certificate on LinkedIn?
Add it under Licenses and certifications, with Digital Workshop Center as the issuing organization. Select the official Digital Workshop Center page from the list so the logo appears. Career changers can also describe the program under Experience.
Should I list my certificate program under Education or Experience?
Either works. If you are changing careers, Experience is often the stronger choice, because your program projects may be your most relevant recent experience. Use the title Certificate Program followed by your program name, with Digital Workshop Center as the organization.
How many skills should I add to my LinkedIn profile?
Add at least 10 to 15 skills connected to your target role. Pull them from real job postings, then choose the top skills you want to feature at the bottom of your About section.
Should I turn on Open to Work?
If you are actively looking, yes. Choose a short, focused list of job titles and your preferred locations. You can show it to recruiters only, or to all LinkedIn members, which adds the #OpenToWork frame to your profile photo.
How often should I update my LinkedIn profile?
Update it whenever you earn a credential, finish a project worth showing, or change your job search focus, and review it before you start applying. Done is better than perfect: make the first update this week.
Can Digital Workshop Center review my LinkedIn profile?
Yes, for certificate program students. Career coaching includes LinkedIn profile feedback, resume review, interview preparation, and job search planning: up to 4 sessions a month during your program, then 1 session a month for up to 6 months after graduation.
Do I need to be a DWC student to use this guide?
No. Anyone can use the guide. The examples come from DWC certificate programs such as Project Management, Data Analytics, and Digital Marketing, and the steps apply to any field.
Ready for your next step?
Talk with an admissions advisor about live online certificate programs and the career coaching included with tuition. Or call 970-980-8091.
LinkedIn is a registered trademark of LinkedIn Corporation. Digital Workshop Center is not affiliated with or endorsed by LinkedIn. LinkedIn menu names and features change from time to time. Career coaching terms apply to Digital Workshop Center certificate program students.