LinkedIn Video Tips: How to Add Credentials to Your Profile Name

For a video showing how to do this click here! 

Many people have asked me how they can add credentials after their name on their LinkedIn profile (MA, MD, JD, MBA, PhD, CFP, CPA, etc)! LinkedIn doesn’t have a suffix field, so how can you do this?

LinkedIn absolutely allows you to use suffixes and certifications in your profile’s name fields. It is stated on the site here.

First, you could add it onto your last name (so mine becomes Nicola Fairweather, Ph.D) where “Fairweather, Ph.D” is my last name.

To change your name on your profile:

1. Move your cursor over Profile at the top of your homepage and select Edit Profile.
2. Click the Edit icon to the right of your name in the top section of your profile.
3. Change the text in the two fields under Name. Add your credentials to theLast Name field (for example, Last Name = Fairweather Ph.D).
4. Click Save.

Or, even better – You can also display your credentials on your profile by adding a Certifications section.

1. Move your cursor over Profile at the top of your homepage and select Edit Profile.
2. Under the Profile Overview section you'll see Add a section to your profile.
3. Click View More to see the full list of sections.
4. Select Add Certifications when on the Certifications box.
5. Complete the prompted fields.
6. Click Save.

To add even more certifications:

1. Move your cursor over Profile at the top of your homepage and select Edit Profile.
2. Scroll down to the Certifications section and click Add certificate.
3. Complete the prompted fields and click Save.

For more information on LinkedIn Profile Makeovers click here! Or, for general tips on using LinkedIn as a lead generation tool, sign up to our newsletter here! And, feel free to connect or follow me on LinkedIn – I will be posting weekly tips.