If you’re only filling out the basics on LinkedIn – name, job title, and a few past roles – you’re missing a golden opportunity to stand out.
LinkedIn is more than an online CV.
It’s a rich platform with features designed to showcase your skills, passions, and credibility.
The more complete and thoughtful your profile, the more likely it is to get noticed by the right employers and recruiters.
In this article, we’ll walk you through the key features that can elevate your LinkedIn profile, and help you decide which ones are worth your time and attention.
Why You Should Use LinkedIn’s Extra Features
The more fully completed your LinkedIn profile is, the more visible you become in search results.
But this isn’t just about ticking boxes.
Every additional section you complete tells a story about your professional identity – and gives you more chances to connect with the right opportunities.
✅ Build trust with potential employers
✅ Show more of your skills and personality
✅ Get noticed in more searches
✅ Support your personal brand
And the best part? You don’t need to use every feature – just the ones that make sense for your goals.
Start with the Core Features
Some sections are essential on any profile – no matter your industry or role.
Education
Include your degrees, diplomas, or any formal qualifications. You can also add any relevant short courses or certifications here.
Skills
While your Top 5 Skills are the most visible, LinkedIn lets you list up to 50. Use this space to include specific, searchable keywords employers are looking for.
Experience
Your work history should be up to date, accurate, and clearly written. Include accomplishments and responsibilities for each role.
Explore the Recommended Features
LinkedIn has a set of “recommended” profile features that help boost your credibility. Here’s what to focus on:
Featured Section
This powerful space lets you highlight key pieces of content – such as:
- A standout LinkedIn post
- A media interview or podcast appearance
- A PDF portfolio or presentation
- Your personal website or blog
- A link to a product, service, or sign-up page
- A case study or testimonial
Pro tip: Even if you don’t have a website, you can still use this section to showcase your best work – it adds professionalism and personality.
Licences & Certifications
Have you completed a recognised training course, qualification, or CPD module? Add it here. This is especially useful in regulated fields or competitive industries.
Projects
Worked on something you’re proud of? Whether it was part of a job or a freelance gig, highlight it in the “Projects” section. You can link projects to roles or collaborators.
Recommendations
Genuine recommendations build trust and strengthen your personal brand.
Add Value with Additional Features
If you want to go further, LinkedIn gives you extra tools to express your values and experience:
Volunteering
This is a great way to show purpose, passion, or transferable skills – especially if you’re changing careers.
Publications
Have you written an article, blog post, or research paper? Whether it’s published online or in print, you can include it here.
Awards & Honours
Show recognition for your efforts – big or small. It’s a great confidence booster and helps others understand your strengths.
Languages
If you’re fluent in more than one language, make it known – especially useful for global companies or client-facing roles.
Test Scores, Courses, and Organisations
Depending on your industry, these might help round out your profile. Only include them if they’re relevant and professional.
What Not to Include
LinkedIn is a professional platform – so not every interest or activity belongs here.
Avoid including:
- Personal hobbies unless directly relevant to your work (e.g. “Photography” for a visual design role)
- Irrelevant social media links
- Overly casual or off-topic content
- Anything you wouldn’t want a future employer to see
Keep your personal and professional lives aligned, but appropriately separate.
How to Decide What to Include
Ask yourself:
- Will this help an employer or recruiter understand what I do or what I care about?
- Is this relevant to the kind of roles I’m applying for?
- Does this support or strengthen my personal brand?
If the answer is yes – add it.
Recap: LinkedIn Features That Can Help You Shine
Here’s a quick checklist of features to review:
✅ Education
✅ Experience
✅ Skills (Top 5 + others)
✅ Featured section
✅ Recommendations
✅ Certifications & licences
✅ Projects
✅ Volunteering
✅ Publications or awards
✅ Languages
✅ Professional organisations
You don’t need to use them all – just the ones that help tell your story.
Need Help Optimising Your LinkedIn Profile?
- Join one of our free Career Webinars
- Download the Career Change Toolkit
- Or talk to a Career Coach
Your LinkedIn profile is a living CV – let’s make it work for you.