Quick Answer: To add experience on LinkedIn, click your profile photo → select "View Profile" → click "Add profile section" (+ icon) → choose "Experience" → fill in your job title, company name, employment dates, and description → click "Save." The process takes 2-3 minutes.
5 Steps to Add LinkedIn Experience:
- Navigate to your LinkedIn profile page
- Click "Add profile section" or the + icon in the Experience area
- Enter position details (title, company, dates, location)
- Write a results-focused description with 3-5 bullet points
- Add media attachments (optional) and click "Save"
Build a Stronger LinkedIn Profile in Minutes
Your LinkedIn experience section is the first place recruiters look when evaluating candidates. A complete, well-optimized experience section can increase your profile views by 40% and significantly improve your chances of being contacted for opportunities.
This guide shows you exactly how to add, edit, and optimize your LinkedIn experience—whether you're on desktop or mobile. You'll also learn the advanced features most users miss and the common mistakes that hurt your visibility.
How to Add Experience on LinkedIn: Complete Step-by-Step
Desktop Instructions
Step 1: Access Your Profile
- Click your profile photo in the top navigation bar
- Select "View Profile" from the dropdown menu
- You'll land on your full profile page
[Screenshot: Profile dropdown menu with "View Profile" highlighted]
Step 2: Open the Add Experience Dialog
- Scroll to the "Experience" section (below your profile summary)
- Click the + icon or "Add position" button
- A pop-up form will appear
[Screenshot: Experience section with + icon highlighted]
Step 3: Fill in Required Fields
You'll see a form with the following fields:
| Field | Required? | Best Practice |
|---|---|---|
| Title | Yes | Use the exact job title from your resume. Include seniority level (Senior, Lead, etc.) |
| Employment Type | No | Select: Full-time, Part-time, Freelance, Contract, Internship, or Self-employed |
| Company Name | Yes | Start typing and select from autocomplete—this adds a verification badge |
| Location | No | Enter city or select "Remote" if applicable |
| Start Date | Yes | Month and year required. Check "I am currently working" if still employed |
| End Date | Conditional | Leave blank for current positions |
| Description | No | Write 3-5 bullet points focusing on achievements (2,000 character limit) |
| Media | No | Add relevant links, presentations, or portfolio work |
Step 4: Write Your Description
Your description should answer: What did you accomplish? Use this format:
- Bullet 1: Primary responsibility + quantifiable result
- Bullet 2: Key project or achievement with metrics
- Bullet 3: Skills used or tools mastered
- Bullet 4 (optional): Leadership or cross-team collaboration
Step 5: Configure Privacy Settings
Before saving, you'll see:
- "Notify network" toggle – Turn OFF if you don't want connections to see this update
- This is especially important if you're updating your profile while employed
Step 6: Save and Verify
- Click the "Save" button
- Review how the entry appears on your profile
- Check for typos, formatting issues, or incorrect dates
Mobile App Instructions (iOS & Android)
The mobile process differs slightly:
- Tap your profile photo → tap "View Profile"
- Scroll to "Experience" and tap the + icon
- Fill in the same fields as desktop
- Note: Media uploads and formatting options are limited on mobile—use desktop for best results
[Screenshot: Mobile app Experience section]
Optimize Your Experience Section for Maximum Visibility
Adding experience is step one. Optimizing it for recruiter searches is where most professionals gain an edge.
1. Use Action-Oriented Language
Start each bullet with strong action verbs:
Weak: "Responsible for managing social media accounts"
Strong: "Managed 5 social media accounts, increasing engagement by 67% in 6 months"
Top Action Verbs by Industry:
- Tech: Developed, Engineered, Architected, Automated, Scaled
- Marketing: Launched, Optimized, Generated, Increased, Converted
- Finance: Analyzed, Forecasted, Reduced, Managed, Audited
- Creative: Designed, Created, Produced, Directed, Conceptualized
2. Include Recruiter-Friendly Keywords
Recruiters use Boolean searches and filters. Include:
- Industry-standard job titles (even if your official title was different)
- Technical skills and tools (e.g., "Python," "Salesforce," "Google Analytics")
- Certifications or methodologies (e.g., "PMP," "Agile," "Six Sigma")
- Soft skills when relevant (e.g., "team leadership," "stakeholder management")
Example: Instead of "Marketing Specialist," write "Digital Marketing Specialist | SEO, PPC, Google Ads | HubSpot Certified"
3. Highlight Achievements with Metrics
Quantify your impact whenever possible:
| Without Metrics | With Metrics |
|---|---|
| Improved sales performance | Increased Q4 sales by 34% ($2.1M revenue) |
| Led a team of developers | Managed 8-person engineering team across 3 product launches |
| Reduced customer complaints | Decreased customer churn by 22% through new support process |
| Created marketing content | Produced 50+ blog posts generating 120K monthly organic visitors |
4. Industry-Specific Optimization Examples
Tech Industry Example:
Senior Software Engineer | ABC Tech
• Architected microservices infrastructure serving 10M+ daily users, reducing API latency by 40%
• Led migration from monolith to Kubernetes, cutting AWS costs by $180K annually
• Mentored 5 junior engineers, 3 promoted within 12 months
Skills: Python, Django, React, Docker, PostgreSQL, AWS
Marketing Industry Example:
Digital Marketing Manager | XYZ Agency
• Managed $2.5M annual ad spend across Google Ads, Meta, and LinkedIn campaigns
• Increased client MRR by 156% through conversion rate optimization (CRO) strategies
• Built and managed 4-person performance marketing team
Skills: Google Analytics, SEMrush, HubSpot, A/B Testing, Marketing Automation
Finance Industry Example:
Financial Analyst | DEF Capital
• Conducted financial modeling for $50M+ investment portfolio, achieving 18% YoY returns
• Automated monthly reporting process, saving 30 hours/month across department
• Presented quarterly forecasts to C-suite executives and board members
Skills: Excel VBA, Tableau, Bloomberg Terminal, Financial Modeling, Risk Analysis
Creative Industry Example:
Creative Director | GHI Studios
• Directed brand campaigns for Fortune 500 clients including Nike, Coca-Cola, and Amazon
• Led 12-person creative team producing 25+ campaigns annually
• Won 3 industry awards including Cannes Lions Silver and Webby Award
Skills: Adobe Creative Suite, Brand Strategy, Art Direction, Team Leadership
Advanced Features Most Users Miss
Adding Multiple Roles at the Same Company
If you were promoted or changed roles within the same organization:
- Add your first position normally
- Click the + icon within that company's entry
- LinkedIn will create a nested structure showing your career progression
- This demonstrates growth and loyalty—highly valued by recruiters
[Screenshot: Multiple roles displayed under single company]
Adding Rich Media Attachments
Enhance your experience entries with:
- Links: Portfolio projects, published articles, case studies
- Documents: Presentations, white papers, reports (PDF format)
- Images: Design work, infographics, event photos
- Videos: Conference talks, product demos, testimonials
To add media: In the Add/Edit Experience dialog, scroll to "Media" section → click "Upload" or "Add link" → paste URL or select file
Privacy Settings Explained
| Setting | What It Does | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
| Notify Network | Sends update to connections' feeds | Turn OFF when job searching while employed |
| Public Visibility | Shows experience to non-connections | Keep ON for maximum recruiter visibility |
| Profile Viewing Options | Controls if you appear in "Who's Viewed Your Profile" | Use Private Mode when researching competitors |
What to Do If Your Company Isn't Listed
If your employer doesn't appear in the autocomplete:
- Type the full company name manually
- You won't get a verification badge, but that's okay
- Consider creating a LinkedIn Company Page yourself (only takes 5 minutes)
- Once created, you can link your experience to the official page
10 Common Mistakes That Hurt Your LinkedIn Visibility
✓ Quality Control Checklist
Before publishing any experience entry, verify:
- ☐ Accurate dates – Inconsistent dates raise red flags for recruiters
- ☐ Company name from autocomplete – Gets you the verification badge
- ☐ No typos or grammatical errors – Use Grammarly or proofread twice
- ☐ Achievement-focused bullets – Not just job duties copied from a job description
- ☐ Quantifiable metrics included – At least one number per role
- ☐ Relevant keywords present – Match recruiter search terms
- ☐ Professional language – Avoid slang, emojis, or casual tone
- ☐ Media attached if relevant – Portfolios, presentations, articles
- ☐ Privacy settings configured – Especially "Notify network" toggle
- ☐ No unexplained gaps – Address career breaks with volunteer work, education, or freelance roles
Top 10 Mistakes to Avoid:
- Copying job descriptions verbatim – Recruiters want to see YOUR impact, not generic duties
- Using first-person pronouns – Write "Led team of 5" not "I led a team of 5"
- Listing every job since high school – Focus on relevant experience from the last 10-15 years
- Ignoring employment type – Specify full-time, contract, or freelance for clarity
- Not updating when promoted – Show career progression by adding new roles promptly
- Generic descriptions – "Handled marketing tasks" tells recruiters nothing useful
- No keywords for ATS – If a recruiter can't find you in search, you don't exist
- Forgetting to add location – Important for location-based recruiter filters
- Inconsistent formatting – Use the same bullet style and tense across all entries
- Leaving the description blank – Even a brief 2-3 sentence summary is better than nothing
Why Your LinkedIn Experience Section Matters
Your experience section directly impacts:
- Recruiter Search Rankings: Profiles with complete experience sections appear 40% higher in recruiter searches
- Profile Strength Score: LinkedIn's algorithm ranks profiles as Beginner, Intermediate, or All-Star—experience is a major factor
- Social Selling Index (SSI): A complete profile increases your SSI score, making you more visible to decision-makers
- InMail Response Rate: Recruiters are 3x more likely to send InMail to profiles with detailed experience sections
- Network Growth: Connections from past employers and colleagues discover you through shared work history
The Data: According to LinkedIn's own research, users with 5+ experience entries receive 8x more profile views than those with only 1-2 entries. Your experience section isn't just a formality—it's your most powerful visibility tool.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many experience entries should I include on LinkedIn?
Include all relevant positions from the past 10-15 years. For older or less relevant roles, you can group them under a single "Earlier Career" entry.
Can I add experience without notifying my network?
Yes. When adding or editing experience, toggle OFF the "Notify network" option before clicking Save. Your connections won't see the update in their feed.
Should I include job duties or achievements in my description?
Focus on achievements and measurable results. Use the format: Action verb + task + quantifiable outcome (e.g., "Increased revenue by 45% through new sales strategy").
What if my company doesn't appear when I search?
Type the company name manually. You won't get a verification badge, but the entry will still appear. Alternatively, create a LinkedIn Company Page for your employer.
How do I add multiple positions at the same company?
Add your first role, then click the + icon within that company's entry. LinkedIn will display them as a nested list, showing your career progression.
Can I hide specific experience entries from recruiters?
No, but you can delete entries or adjust your overall profile visibility settings to "Connections only" (though this limits your discoverability).
What's the character limit for the description field?
2,000 characters including spaces. Aim for 300-500 characters (3-5 bullet points) for optimal readability.
Should I use bullet points or paragraphs in my description?
Use bullet points. They're easier to scan and more likely to be read completely by recruiters reviewing dozens of profiles.
How often should I update my LinkedIn experience?
Update within 2 weeks of starting a new role, getting promoted, or achieving a major milestone. Review all entries quarterly to ensure accuracy.
Can I add volunteer work in the Experience section?
LinkedIn has a separate "Volunteer Experience" section. Use that instead—it's specifically designed for non-paid work and appears distinctly on your profile.
Does adding more experience improve my LinkedIn ranking?
Yes. Complete profiles with 5+ experience entries rank higher in recruiter searches and receive significantly more profile views.
What file types can I upload as media attachments?
You can upload PDFs, images (JPG, PNG), and documents. You can also link to external content like YouTube videos, articles, or portfolio websites.
Final Thoughts
Adding and optimizing your LinkedIn experience section is one of the highest-ROI activities you can do for your career. It takes 15-30 minutes to add a well-crafted entry, but that investment can result in recruiter contacts, networking opportunities, and job offers for years to come.
Use the step-by-step instructions, optimization techniques, and quality checklist in this guide to build an experience section that stands out. Remember: your LinkedIn profile isn't a resume—it's a living document that should showcase your career story, achievements, and professional brand.
Next Steps:
- Add or update at least one experience entry today
- Review existing entries using the 10-point quality checklist
- Set a quarterly reminder to update your achievements and metrics
Your next opportunity might come from a recruiter who finds you through the experience you add today.