30+ Best Skills to Add on LinkedIn (And Why)

LinkedIn is an ever-growing professional platform that offers plenty of opportunities to its users.

Whether you’re a job seeker looking for new opportunities or even an experienced professional trying to level up their career, creating the right profile and showcasing the right skills can greatly benefit you.

So if you’re looking for ways to create a compelling LinkedIn profile that stands out from others, let’s take a look at some of the best skills recommended by experts to add on LinkedIn.

Recruiters and employers love to see hard skills on a résumé

Advanced Excel or HTML coding skills may not be listed in a job’s requirements, but well-rounded team players are always a bonus to any hiring manager. 

Maybe you’ll be able to run a quick quantitative analysis for your manager without having to involve the analytics group or mock-up a web interface without needing to involve a coder. 

The catch is that if you do add a hard skill to your areas of expertise, you will need to back it up with either an example or a credential. Preferably both.

What are hard skills exactly?

You can think of a hard skill as something that requires training. Accounting, for example, is something you can’t pick up on your own because there are rules to be followed that are not intuitive. 

The same is true for most software applications, such as STATA and SPSS, and for computer languages, like R and Python. If you put these on your résumé or application, it will be assumed that you can be up and running on a task or project on Day 1 when asked to use these skills.

Then there are hard skills that can be gained through training as a substitute for experience, such as a certificate in Analytics or Digital Marketing. 

These are valuable to employers because it gives them an indication that you are not going to be coming in as a total newbie. 

For example, if you have a Certificate in Digital Marketing from an online course, you are likely going to understand the basics of how to use digital media to promote products and services, what channels are available, how success is measured, and the terminology that is associated with the business. 

All of which are valuable and will give you an edge.

Hard skills can also be techniques such as scrum product development methodology or goal setting using OKRs (Objectives and Key Results). Coursework in these kinds of subjects is great, but having experience and impact in these techniques is even better. 

Unlike coding, in which you become a practitioner as you train, understanding methodologies and processes will help you understand a practice but not make you skilled in it.

Lastly, there are a few hard skills that you can add to your résumé without needing to account for their origin or experience, such as language skills. 

Related: How to Include Language Skills (Proficiency) on Your Resume

While many people require training in languages, there are many that come by it for family or other personal reasons that are outside the scope of an employer’s right to ask about.

Being collaborative is worth mentioning

Soft skills, generally, do not require training. Being collaborative, for example, is a skill but not necessarily one that can be taught and learned. 

Being collaborative is still worth mentioning, however, particularly if it is a keyword in a job description. 

For example, if a job description’s requirements include being collaborative, then absolutely include it somewhere in your résumé or cover letter for a better chance of getting past an ocular reader or other preliminary screening methods. 

But be sure to have an example prepared if called upon, and to make your point even stronger, indicating an example of having used your collaboration skills somewhere in your experience.

Related: Why Are Job Descriptions Important in the Recruiting Process?

Hard skills and LinkedIn

In the about section

This is a truly underused section that is available to everyone on LinkedIn to summarize what they have to offer as a professional and why. This is where you can “hook” someone’s interest by summarizing the strongest aspects of your background. 

Related: How to Write a Good LinkedIn Summary (With 15+ Examples)

In the education section

If you are within three years of graduating and feel your coursework can improve your credibility, include it. 

Over time, this section will become shorter as your career accomplishments should speak for themselves about the skills you bring to the table and have used with success.

If you receive a Certificate in Google Analytics or Project Management Foundations through LinkedIn Education, be sure to record the date of the course and any other pertinent data. Note that these certificates sometimes expire. 

I have seen applications that request details not easily available to obtain after the fact, although expected based on the fact that you have put them on your LinkedIn profile.

In the description section under each of your experiences

Here is where you have a chance to integrate your hard skills in the most credible way: by citing how you used them to have an impact. 

In the skills section at the end of your profile

This is a pre-populated list where you can call out your specific skills again. There are more there than you think you have, so even when you think you may have exhausted your list, keep going. 

However, do not go into an interview before you have jotted down an example of how you have used or learned each one.

Mentioned in recommendations from former colleagues and managers

If you are lucky enough to receive an offer of a recommendation or to get a positive response to a request, you do not need to feel shy about asking for a specific keyword or skill to be called out. Everyone is on LinkedIn — they get it!

Soft skills and LinkedIn

Softer skills, such as being collaborative, are harder to prove or link to an experience. Hence, a little is less effective to put on LinkedIn unless you can attach them to a very specific project experience. 

Ask for anyone endorsing you to mention specific soft skills you would like to highlight, as that is the most effective way to make softer skills seem genuine.

Note: Essentials of team collaboration is a course offered by LinkedIn that offers valuable training about clarifying roles and syncing activities. 

However, noting on your profile that you have taken this course could potentially be a red flag: have you taken this course because collaborating is a weakness in your skillset?

A note of caution: Don’t try to pile on the number of skills beyond your level of experience or years as a professional — an imbalance will be a red flag.

If you are looking for new employment, it is important to highlight the right skills in your profile. These skills will show up when recruiters perform a search on LinkedIn. 

You can add skills to your profile manually or use the auto-add feature. If you are not sure what skills to list, take a look at job postings to see which skills employers are looking for.

When you are looking for new employment, you should highlight the soft and hard skills. Soft skills include things like communication, curiosity, and social proof. These can help you to build a strong rapport with your colleagues and make you a better team player. 

Having the right skills in your profile will give you a better chance of being hired.

You should also create a good mix of both technical qualifications and so-called soft skills, as a recruiter search may include ancillary considerations to keywords such as “creative,” “passionate,” “dedicated,” etc., as a way to filter those who would contribute well to the culture of the company.

Emotional intelligence

Having a high EQ is a vital skill for anyone in a career where they are expected to interact with other people. It helps you to understand the emotions of others and demonstrates that you have a sense of empathy for them.

Having a high EQ will also enable you to think more clearly when under stress. This can have a number of health benefits, including reducing blood pressure and improving your immune system.

It is important to manage stress effectively, as uncontrolled stress can cause serious health problems and contribute to the aging process. Having an EQ will help you to manage your own stress and the stress of others.

EQ is also important for those seeking a career in leadership. Emotionally intelligent leaders are able to sense the tension in a room and resolve conflicts before they escalate. This can improve the productivity of a team and boost morale.

Related: 30+ Workplace Conflict Examples and How to Resolve Them

It is also important to recognize the impact of a small, gentle action. This can help you connect with other people and create transparency in your relationships.

Other skills include self-regulation, which is the ability to keep disruptive emotions in check. It’s also important to be optimistic, which is the ability to see the best in others and situations.

Analytical skills

Adding analytical skills to your LinkedIn profile can give you an edge when it comes to getting hired. These skills include data and information analysis, research, visualization, and communication. They are also essential for solving problems.

Related: 25+ Good Examples of Problem Solving in the Workplace

In order to use these skills, you need to develop them through practice. You can improve your skills by studying the things you do on a daily basis and learning from others. You can also develop your skills by taking classes and joining professional organizations.

These skills are important in all industries. For example, marketing executives use analytical skills to identify trends, monitor the performance of their marketing campaigns, and assess customer research.

Many employers look for employees who have problem-solving skills. These skills help you find logical solutions to problems. 

You may also be asked to test a solution before implementing it. These skills can be tested through a case study exercise, which you can do alone or with a group.

You may be asked to write a product specification, perform market research, or performing competitor analysis. These tasks can be part of your internship or employment experience.

Communication skills

Having strong communication skills is essential for career success. This includes both verbal and written communication skills, as well as listening and nonverbal cues.

It’s important to develop strong verbal communication skills through public speaking and active listening. This will help you to interact more effectively with others in your workplace, whether they are colleagues, clients, or customers. 

You can also improve these skills by reading books on effective communication.

Strong written communication skills are also essential for success in many different careers. This includes creating professional documents such as reports, proposals, and presentations. 

You can also improve these skills by taking writing classes or joining a professional writing group.

Pro-tip for determining skills in your field

Here’s a trick. Use LinkedIn’s built-in resume generator. But, the goal is not to use the resume generated but to use the keywords that are generated along with the resume. 

LinkedIn analyses thousands of positions similar to yours to come up with the top trending keywords used by recruiters to find you.

When you are viewing your profile, click the MORE button, and BUILD A RESUME. Click on NEW RESUME (based on your LinkedIn profile) and enter your target job title. Click APPLY, and you will see the keyword check in the Resume Insights on the right-hand column, and it should suggest some keywords for you.

These are the words that recruiters will use to search for you, so be sure to include them in your profile when possible.

Some other tips for determining the right skills for your field include attending networking events and speaking with people in your industry or niche. You can also do a Google search to see what skills are commonly required for jobs in your field.

Be as specific as possible

If you are aiming to be headhunted on LinkedIn, my suggestion as an HR director of a reasonably large company would be to be as specific as possible. 

Remember — your profile is to be found based on some keywords, so you should think about what keywords related to your work and position an HR person could be looking for and include them in your profile. 

When listing your skills, be sure to include all the hard skills you have, and that means not only mentioning, for example, project management but also listing specific computer skills, like competence working with spreadsheets. 

While every business needs concrete positions to be filled, and that requires specific hard skills and experience, such soft skills as creativity, innovation, teamwork, and the ability to come up with new solutions are extremely important characteristics to mention, too. Be sure to list them. 

Keep in mind that some jobs require licenses and certifications or some specific courses that show the person is qualified for a specific position. For example, an engineer might have to add a course in metal strength. Such certifications or courses can back up the skills you have listed on your profile. 

Another tip is to write about your achievements and use numbers to back them up. 

The biggest mistake anyone can make is listing processes, for example, participated, adhered, introduced, and not showing any results, for example, how much money they brought, how much they sold, etc. 

By not mentioning numbers and results —you are most probably missing many opportunities. 

Also, always be honest and straightforward when listing your skills and experience. Try to avoid such “corporate bullsht” words as “visionary,” “ground-breaking,” “forward-thinking,” “out-of-the-box bitcoin connoisseur,” etc. 

In most cases, such descriptions show that the person is trying to be extremely inventive but is most probably unemployed. I would rather suggest summarizing the professional background in a headline of three to five words, including who you are and what you do. 

Don’t go overboard, rather identify key hard skills

Up to 50 skills sound like a lot. So much, in fact, that many people take it to the max, even when they’ve long run out of directly relevant skills to add. But if you look at LinkedIn reports about the top skills featured in job postings on the platform, virtually all are hard skills.

Hard skills are also usually what recruiters type in when searching for suitable profiles. So, the best skills to add are the ones you’ll find in job descriptions of roles you’re interested in.

Skim through some and make a note of the recurring hard skills. Add these to your profile. Next, focus on keywords related to any specific industry knowledge or qualifications, such as ISO 9001 or Agile. Finally, if you have space, identify any major soft skills that crop up regularly in the job postings, such as conflict resolution or business networking.

Use these (rather than generic low-search words such as ‘adaptability’) to round out your skills list.

Having the right skills on your LinkedIn profile can be the difference between having a thriving career and languishing in obscurity. That’s why it’s important to know which skills are most valued by employers and what you should focus on when creating or updating your profile.

Here are seven skills that you should add to your LinkedIn profile if you want to stand out and why:

Employers value communication skills

Employers of all sizes value skills such as active listening, writing, public speaking, persuasion, and presentation skills. These skills are essential for any role, from customer service to sales and marketing.

Communication skills are essential in the workplace. They allow you to effectively convey your ideas to your colleagues and manager, which can lead to better collaboration and productivity.

Additionally, strong communication skills can help you build positive relationships with your coworkers, leading to a more positive work environment.

Leadership skills

Showing that you’re able to lead a team is an important skill set for many employers. Demonstrate your leadership skills by highlighting any past roles you’ve held where you managed people or projects.

Leadership skills show that you can take charge and get things done. They also demonstrate that you’re able to think strategically and lead teams effectively.

In today’s competitive job market, it’s more important than ever to stand out from the crowd, and having strong leadership skills on your resume is one way to do that.

Problem-solving skills

Companies are looking for candidates who can think outside the box and come up with innovative solutions to problems.

Problem-solving skills are important for any professional, but they are especially valuable on LinkedIn. That’s because employers often look to LinkedIn to find candidates who can solve problems.

If you want to show that you’re a problem solver, make sure to highlight your skills in critical thinking, logic, and analysis. You can also mention your experience in troubleshooting and problem-solving.

Interpersonal skills

Interpersonal skills are one of the best skills to add to your LinkedIn profile because they are essential for working with others. Strong interpersonal skills can help you build relationships with clients, coworkers, and superiors and can help you get things done effectively.

Interpersonal skills allow you to build strong relationships with other professionals. These relationships can help you find new opportunities, get advice and support, and learn from others in your industry. 

Interpersonal skills also help you to be a better communicator. When you can communicate effectively with others, you are more likely to achieve your goals and create successful collaborations.

If you have strong interpersonal skills, be sure to list them on your profile!

Technical skills

This is because technical skills are essential for most jobs today. They allow you to not only do your job but also to learn new technologies quickly and keep up with the latest trends in your industry.

Many companies want to see that you have a basic understanding of technologies such as coding, HTML, or JavaScript. This will show employers that you are capable of quickly learning new things and keeping up with the latest trends.

Time management skills

Good time management skills are one of the best skills to add to your LinkedIn profile because they are essential for success in any field. Good time management skills allow you to work efficiently and effectively, meet deadlines, and stay organized.

When you have good time management skills, you can get more done in less time, which can give you a competitive edge in the workplace. Additionally, time management skills can help you manage your workload and avoid stress and burnout.

Adaptability skills

Employers are always on the lookout for employees who are adaptable and can easily adapt to change. It shows that you’re able to think on your feet and react quickly to changes in the workplace.

Related: 40+ Examples of Adaptability in the Workplace

Employers value employees who can easily adapt to new situations and are always looking for ways to improve their skills. 

When you list this skill on your profile, you demonstrate to potential employers that you’re open to new challenges and willing to take on whatever comes your way.

This makes you an ideal candidate for any position since you’re able to handle whatever curveballs life throws your way.

By adding these seven skills to your LinkedIn profile, you’ll be able to demonstrate that you have the skills employers are looking for and increase your chances of success.

Whether you’re looking to progress in your current role or take the next step up in your career, these skills will help you get there. The main thing is to make sure that you keep these skills up to date and showcase them to potential employers.

It’s also worth noting that skills-based keywords in your profile can help with search engine optimization (SEO), so make sure you’re leveraging them to their fullest potential.

Machine learning

Machine learning is the process of teaching computers to learn on their own by providing them with data and allowing them to make predictions or decisions.

It is one of the fastest-growing areas of technology today, and as businesses continue to adopt it, there is an increasing demand for professionals with skills in this field.

Organizations need professionals who can design and develop machine learning algorithms, build models using machine learning techniques, and interpret the machine learning model results.

If you’re looking to add Machine Learning as a skill to your LinkedIn profile, consider taking a course in this area. There are many free online courses and tutorials that can teach you the basics of Machine Learning.

Artificial intelligence (AI)

Artificial intelligence is the ability of machines to replicate human intelligence, including tasks such as reasoning, natural communication, and problem-solving.

AI is becoming increasingly important as companies move towards automation and digital transformation. With AI skills, you will be in high demand and have many of career opportunities.

Additionally, AI is a very versatile skill that can be applied to a variety of industries. For example, you could use AI skills to develop predictive analytics models or create chatbots.

Finally, learning about AI will make you smarter and better informed about one of the most important technologies of our time.

So if you’re looking for a valuable skill to add to your LinkedIn profile, AI is definitely the way to go!

Data science is the best skill to add to LinkedIn

Data Science is the best skill to add on LinkedIn as this skill is in high demand and can lead to many different career opportunities.

Data scientists are able to take large amounts of data and analyze it to find trends and insights that can help companies make better decisions. This makes you a valuable asset to any business, and you are more likely to be hired if you have this skill.

Data science is also a rapidly growing field and is in high demand across a variety of industries, from healthcare to finance to retail.

Cross-functional collaboration

This is an important skill to have on LinkedIn as it demonstrates your ability to collaborate with professionals and teams from diverse backgrounds within an organization.

It gives employers confidence that you can build effective relationships with key contacts to get projects completed on time and within budget.

In addition, by collaborating with others, you can develop new ideas and solutions that can benefit your career.

Programming skills to show you’re able to learn to code languages quickly

The best programming skills to add on LinkedIn are those that show potential employers that you are able to learn new coding languages and technologies quickly.

In addition, it is also important to demonstrate your experience with programming languages that are in high demand and difficult to find.

For example, Ruby on Rails is commonly used for web application development, Java is used for Android app development, Python is popular for data analysis, and SQL is frequently used in database management, making these good additions to your LinkedIn profile.

Whatever programming skills you choose to list, be sure to explain why they are important.

For example, if you list Python as a skill, explain how your knowledge of Python helped you achieve specific goals or solve difficult problems. This will help employers understand the value you bring to the table.

Look at 3-5 job postings you want to apply to and pull out common key terms that appear

These are skills that recruiters and hiring managers will likely be searching for on LinkedIn.

For example, if you’re an accounting student looking for an accounting job, adding skills like accounting, bookkeeping, and Microsoft Excel will help your profile’s searchability.

To strengthen your profile a step further and help build credibility, ask peers to endorse your skills and/or take a LinkedIn Skills Assessment to validate further your knowledge of the skills you’ve listed on your profile.

Entrepreneurs should include skills that potential customers would search for

If you’re not looking for a job but instead using your profile to sell, you’ll want to include skills on your profile that potential customers would search for.

As an example, if you’re a freelance marketer and want to attract potential clients, adding skills like digital marketing, ghostwriting, and graphic design will help you appear when clients search for help related to those skills.

Adding these skills isn’t enough to build credibility on its own. Frequently creating content to showcase your knowledge in these areas will help convert leads who come across your profile.

The bottom line: Many people don’t add skills to their profile, so by adding skills, you’re already ahead of the game.

That being said, don’t settle for just adding skills. Take extra steps to strengthen the searchability and credibility of your profile to start seeing your profile views and inbound messages skyrocket.

Show you can manage your work

The core of project management is being able to organize your own work and that of others.

Evidencing that you can structure your time, create a schedule and stick to it in order to get work done is essential, whether or not you have the job title of project manager.

Adding project management skills to your profile on LinkedIn helps employers see that you are used to working in a thoughtful, planned-out way. They’ll know you are able to identify priority tasks and schedule a time to complete them.

Project management skills go beyond simple time management, though.

You’ll also be showing the people who browse your profile that you can take risks into account and deal with issues if they come up, that you can be flexible and that you are used to keeping people informed of progress through regular status reports.

Show you can work with others

Teamwork is critical to being able to manage a project, so highlighting your skills in this area also has the bonus of showing you can work collaboratively.

All kinds of jobs require you to be able to influence upward and work with senior leaders in the organization, as well as build good working relationships with your peers and colleagues.

Many project managers have experience in leading teams where they are not the team members’ line manager, so you can demonstrate that you work well in a matrix structure and are used to delivering work with the support and input from other people.

Project management skills are essential as more and more work is being done in a projectized way, with companies setting up project structures to manage the unending flow of change we’re all managing.

Show employers that you are capable of leading change and bringing others with you by making sure project management is highlighted on your profile.

As a member of LinkedIn since 2010, I have made my share of changes to my profile. From updating my education to ensuring my work experience is correct, I always want to ensure my profile accurately reflects my business persona.

Knowing how vital LinkedIn can be in matching potential employees with future job opportunities, those who utilize this platform must ensure their profile is prepared.

One way you can have a complete profile is by adding skills. What are the best skills to add on LinkedIn?

How well you can communicate

Communication can take many forms, from emails to chats to newsletters and others. If you have experience with any of these mediums, you’ll want to include them in your skills.

Remember that communication is more than just outgoing information, though. You will also want to incorporate how well you listen or if you can pick up on nonverbal communication.

Add a technology you are competent in using

One person’s technology usage may vary greatly from another person’s. Whatever technology you are familiar with and competent in should be added to your profile. This will ensure that people viewing your profile have an accurate sense of what you are capable of.

Any positions in leadership or management roles should be included as a skill

For those that have served as leaders, any positions in leadership or management roles should be included as a skill. Though many want to become managers, not everyone can do so.

Managers need to lead others by example, not simply slide through life.

No skill is too big or too small to include on your profile

Many skills make you the person you are. Whether it’s your adaptability, collaboration, time management, or something else, don’t forget to include any and all of these skills that show you are qualified and unique.

No skill is too big or too small to include on your profile.

Fortunately, actions can still speak louder than words. Because LinkedIn understands this, they also provide skills assessments on their site. These enable you to illustrate to others that you not only say you are familiar with something but have the assessments’ results to prove it.

Offering assessments for Microsoft, Adobe, and more, there are many skills assessments on LinkedIn that you can complete. Utilizing these is a great way to add to your skills list on LinkedIn.

It’s important to show a couple of things in your background to make you stand out:

Capability to scale or flex with the organizations you serve

Capability to scale or flex with the organizations you serve, including good examples of taking on more responsibility in terms of teams/functions and also giving some sample situations where you’ve been part of M&A activities and integrated new companies/teams as part of your mandate.

If you have effectively worked or led teams in globally distributed companies, that is a clear key asset that a lot of my clients are looking for — that ability to work across borders and cultures effectively.

Speaking of culture, if you have been a part of a team or committee focused on rolling out better programs to engage your team, that is really important to companies right now. 

The same can be said if you’ve been an internal diversity advocate for your company with the goal of creating better and more diverse working teams and internal environments.

Toot your own horn

Show a little of your personal side 

If you have team members that have followed you from company to company and you show strong leadership/fellowship, any activities of giving back to charities/your school/your church or synagogue, etc.

Generally, there are many skills that recruiters will want to screen for before making an onboarding decision, but here are the ones I think they find most appealing on LinkedIn.

Creative potential

In my opinion, one skill that can really set you apart is proof of proficiency in any creative pursuit. This could range from singing to painting to writing, etc.

Although usually, people do not take to LinkedIn to mention their creative achievements.

I believe that having such a passion not only helps in reflecting diversity in one’s skill set, but official achievements in that domain also reflect the fact that the individual is committed to the point of pursuing the line of art and has built something in that avenue from scratch.

This reflects multiple positive sides of a potential candidate’s personality and shows that they will bring a lot of versatility to the table in their role at a company. Also, their creative minds can help in problem-solving and brainstorming sessions considerably.

Leadership role

Secondly, contribution with respect to a leadership role in any line of work can be a huge plus point as well. Needless to say, reflecting on achievements or any degree of success in that sphere can be an even added bonus.

What being a leader helps show recruiters is that a person has a specific kind of archetypal personality.

It convinces them that the candidate has a knack for problem-solving, for stepping in and taking the initiative at the right time when their company could be facing a crisis, that the applicant would likely be a team player and can handle challenging situations at work, and thrive under pressure.

Few companies and recruiters would pass on such an opportunity.

Communal contribution

Lastly, you also want to reflect some degree of volunteer or community-building activity on your profile.

This shows that you are not only driven by the profit motive but are also a value-oriented person who wants to give back to the community in times of crisis and hold your principles and morals near to you.

Related: The Importance and Benefits of Volunteering

It reflects being a people person, which is critical for the corporate social responsibility of any firm apart from its revenue-generating need.

Networking is a great way to put yourself out there in the world

Networking is essential for connecting with the right people in your industry or field.

Being able to identify and engage with potential employers, business partners, and other valuable contacts can open doors to career opportunities. “You never know who knows who,” and networking is a great way to put yourself out there in the world of your profession.

Also, don’t forget to update your profile with any events or conferences you have attended.

Verbal and written communication skills

Now, this may seem obvious, but it’s important to demonstrate your great communication skills both verbally and written.

Show employers that you are a confident public speaker with the ability to articulate your thoughts and express yourself clearly in emails and messages. I would suggest listing any relevant courses or seminars you have attended to showcase your communication abilities.

If you have addressed large audiences or spoken to a large group at any point, adding video clips, photos, or articles about it to your profile is also a great way to show off these skills.

Technical skills

This is especially important to highlight if you are in a technical field. Show off your coding or software skills and list any certifications or development courses you have taken.

Employers are always looking out for tech professionals with the most up-to-date skills and knowledge, so it’s a great idea to show off what you know.

I would suggest making sure to include any tools and software you are familiar with, as this will demonstrate your level of proficiency in the field.

Problem-Solving

Nothing is more important to employers than candidates with problem-solving skills.

Employers want to know that you are able to think outside of the box and come up with creative solutions to problems. Be sure to include any challenges that you have faced and the steps you took to solve them, as these will be valuable for any employer.

Ideally, adding examples of successful solutions you have implemented in the workplace will further showcase your problem-solving capabilities.

Time management

One of the best skills that you can add to your LinkedIn profile is time management. Time management is a critical skill for anyone looking to be successful in their career, and it is one that is often overlooked.

Adding time management to your LinkedIn profile will show potential employers that you are a well-rounded candidate who is capable of managing their time effectively.

Stress management

Another great (and somewhat unusual) skill to add to your LinkedIn profile is stress management. Stress management is a key skill for anyone looking to be successful in their career, as it can help you to stay calm and focused in high-pressure situations.

Related: How to Stay Calm and Focused Under Pressure

Adding stress management to your LinkedIn profile will show potential employers that you are a well-rounded candidate who is capable of managing their stress levels effectively.

Conflict resolution

One final great (and somewhat unusual) skill to add to your LinkedIn profile is conflict resolution.

Conflict resolution is a critical skill for anyone looking to be successful in their career, as it can help you to resolve disagreements quickly and efficiently. Adding conflict resolution to your LinkedIn profile will show potential employers that you are a well-rounded candidate who is capable of resolving conflicts effectively.

Add skills that are related to the roles you want to apply for

The best skills to add on LinkedIn are those directly related to the industry and roles you want to apply for. Therefore, if you’re going through a career transition, it’s essential first to get clear on what you really want in your next role/career.

Is it a complete career change you’re after? Is it the same role but in a different industry? Same industry but in a different role? Or are both the same, but just elsewhere?

Once you’ve identified what you want next and you start looking for work, examine the sorts of job descriptions for the roles you want to apply for.

You want to identify the specific skills and qualities employers seem to be looking for so that you can describe yourself with the same keywords that the company uses.

Tailor your profile to take into account the common keywords, transferable skills, and qualities often used in the job descriptions you’ve seen so far.

Add in the Skills section and search for relevant skills based on your past experience and skills you have that are directly related to your search.

Take formal assessments to gain badges

The best skills to add are those that frequently feature across your industry. You can find out what to add by searching for roles on the LinkedIn platform and looking out for prevalent keywords and skills.

If you have some of these desirable skills, make sure to feature them at the very top of your skills list. Many of these can be added with just a click, but some require you to take formal assessments on the LinkedIn platform.

It’s a great idea to take these assessments, as they add additional value to your LinkedIn profile. If you pass with a high score, you’re awarded a badge as a means of verifying your knowledge.

Earning a badge is hard to do; it represents that you’re highly skilled in a specific area and shows that you’ve taken an extra initiative to show your level of proficiency. This gives you an edge over other candidates and makes your listed skills more credible.