The key to a good LinkedIn profile is details. There’s no doubt that LinkedIn is one of the best (if not the best) job-search social media networking app there is. The entire purpose of the app is to help people connect and expose them to a variety of new opportunities. Here is the topic- LinkedIn Awards and Honors.
But opportunities don’t come knocking at your door. The same is the case with LinkedIn. Interested employers often check their candidate’s social media accounts. A profile that is too abstract and brief can lower your chances of being hired.
The awards and honors section in LinkedIn is a specified category for you to enter in your achievements. The distinct section is helpful to make them stand out and separate them from your everyday posts. When employers search for your profile online, the awards and honors category will likely attract them. And so, making detailed and accurate entries on your profile is a boost to your resume.
This article is a helpful guide on awards and honors on LinkedIn. No person has a single achievement. You probably have a plethora of them, so scattering through a pile of accomplishments to select a few can be difficult. The article tries to answer many such questions to help you refine your profile.
Honors and Awards
We all know what honors and awards are. In today’s world, where competition seems to be at an all-time high, everyone’s piling their CVs and resumes with a list of accomplishments. When it comes to professional jobs and services, the list only seems to grow.
But, how is LinkedIn of any use to your achievements? And what even qualifies as an achievement?
As mentioned above, LinkedIn has gradually emerged as one of a kind, professional networking site. There is a common misconception that the site is used only by job seekers. But the truth is that experts and professionals, too, use the site as means of networking.
Whenever you apply for a new job, there is a possibility that the recruiting panel is most likely going to go through your LinkedIn profile. More so, if you explicitly mention your ID on your resume. Your LinkedIn profile can make or break your chances.
Make your Honors and Awards section detailed. Don’t just give incomplete information. It is not wrong to boast about your accomplishment on an employment-oriented site.
A detailed and well-structured account is more likely to gain you extra points than a messy one. When it comes to honors and awards, your recruiters want to know about your achievements in detail. They also want to know about achievements which are relevant to the job. But, most importantly, they want to see how special of a candidate you are.
What Qualifies as an achievement?
It depends on what you consider to be an accomplishment. It can be as big as getting published in a journal to winning employee of the month.
However, keep in mind that your employers will ask you for concrete proof of these achievements. In all likelihood, you will have to provide a certificate or a letter that clearly states that you are the receiver.
Here are some questions to ask yourself, if you are unclear on what counts as an award-
- Have you ever been assigned to a commission or a committee?
- Have you ever been quoted in a paper or a journal?
- Did you get published by a journal?
- Did you ever work on an exceptional project?
- Did you ever give a presentation to a large audience?
Achievements can be of all sorts. This list is by no means exhaustive but designed to trigger your memory. Maybe you haven’t been published by a journal, but perhaps you wrote an article for a magazine? That’s an accomplishment worth talking about.
It doesn’t have to be restricted to a specific field either. Versatility is always appreciated, so don’t shy away from mentioning the designs you created or your short typography course.
The next step is to log into your account and edit your profile.
Steps to add Awards and Honors on LinkedIn
LinkedIn as an application can be complicated. Here is a basic guide to how you can update your LinkedIn profiles, followed by some general tips.
Step One: Log into your LinkedIn account and go to your profile. From there, follow the below order:
Profile > Edit Profile > View More > Add a section to my Profile.
Step Two: Add your honors and awards to your LinkedIn profile. At first glance, the headings given by the default LinkedIn layout may seem confusing.
- Title: Name of the Award/ Honors. In case your award has levels to it, you can also mention that in this section.
- Association: Add in your position or degree. If your award is unrelated to either of those things, then you can leave it blank.
- Issuer: Write the name of the organization that has given you the award. If the award has been presented by an international institution, you should also mention the associated country.
- Description: Write a more detailed description. The basic layout allows you to talk about the main details of your award so try not to repeat those. Instead, mention new information. Talk about how you got the award and what has your experience been like. The description section is a great way to give your accomplishment more weight.
Tips to maintain your Awards and Honors section
Firstly, just to reiterate, don’t be shy to talk about your achievements. LinkedIn is an app created for employment purposes. Given its professional nature, sharing awards and honors publicly is exactly what you’re supposed to do.
A lot of people cannot remember all their honors and awards. When it is time for them to finally make a list of all their achievements in their career, they are left blank. Your achievements are for you to list down and take full advantage of. Think of it this way: you’re the only one who can profit from your hard work.
Keep a folder of all your awards and recognitions. Keep adding them to your LinkedIn. Instead of making your profile exhaustive, add and remove your achievements timely. Don’t clog the section with awards that are too old. Have room for your newer accomplishments in the industry.
Add a definite description of your achievement. Make sure you highlight the significance of the award. For example, being awarded “Employee of the Month,” is good. But what were the criteria? Why were you selected? What skills did you showcase? Answer all such questions in the description box to give more depth and meaning to your achievement.
Below are some examples that you can refer to.
Examples
The first example is of the more structured layout which LinkedIn provides. Not only is the structure very accessible, but it also works as an organized resume. LinkedIn’s built-in profile settings are designed to make your experience and qualities stand out.
Example #1
Title: The Morgan Prize of Mathematics
Associated with: Student at ABC campus, United States
Issuer: The American Mathematics Society
Description: I was honored by the mathematics society for my research work on geometrical topology. The paper was published by the International Journal of Mathematics, 2018. As a part of the award, I achieved several goals towards research skills, volunteering, and mentoring.
The above answer may look brief, but it gives sufficient elaboration on the matter. You can write about how you got the award and the experience that followed.
Example #2
Many users also post about their awards and honors. It isn’t a wrong move. Some accomplishments are worth the extra hype and can also land you better connections. Here is a sample of how to create a post announcing your awards.
“I’m humbled to have received the Morgan Prize of Mathematics by the American Mathematics Society. It was just two years ago when my paper on “geometrical topology” was first published by the Texas Journal of Mathematics. Since then, I’ve received abundant love and support for this accomplishment.
The honor bestowed upon me by the American Mathematics Society is truly immeasurable. It has motivated me further. I cannot thank you enough for all the faith you’ve shown in me.”
While such posts might seem over the top, they’re an excellent way to attract attention. Posts can garner more interactions and help you build up broader networks. Furthermore, you can add media to your posts. Logos, images, and videos help make your posts stand out and bring in a fresh wave of opportunities.
Conclusion
LinkedIn is The Big Thing now. While it may seem awkward at first. Seeing how many shy away from posting their achievements on social media altogether. However, LinkedIn has been designed and put together for that very purpose. Boast about your accomplishments.
There’s nothing wrong with telling the world about your successes and the little steps you’ve taken in life. If not for a job search, do it as a token of self-appreciation. Achievements exist to be celebrated.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Why should I post my awards and honors on LinkedIn?
Given its business-oriented nature, LinkedIn is used by a majority of professionals. Whenever you apply for a job, there is a chance that the recruiters might go through your LinkedIn profile. Having your awards showcased on your profile can give your resume a boost.
Q2. Should I make a post about my awards or add them to my profile?
Make posts for awards that you consider to be extremely special. Not all awards might be worth talking about in a dedicated post. But some accomplishments and recognitions are worth attracting attention towards.
Q3. How do I know what awards are more important than others?
A common criterion to measure the significance of an award is by analyzing its reach. How many people are nominated for an honor? What requirements does one have to fulfill to be considered? There are various questions you need to ask yourself.
However, there’s no hard and fast rule as to what award is more significant than the rest. Yes, there is a hierarchy of prestige. But, as you grow into your career, your idea of significance will too go through a change. So, an award that seems path-breaking to you, is the one with the most importance attached to it.
