What are the Pros and and Cons of adding Completed Courses to Linked in?

NetworkingStudent

Would you guys ever add completed courses from lynda.com ,Plural Sight, ect.... to your linked in profile?

I don't see a lot of people doing this, so I'm wondering if it's worth it?

Lexluethar

Not worth it, just like it's not worth putting "almost graduated" on it. If it's a class for a certification once you pass the certification on there but not that you took a class for it.

I have worked with a lot of people that have taken MCSA crash courses, but it means nothing imo without the certification pass. Same goes for a degree, until you have that piece of paper being 12 credit hours away from passing means nothing. It's how it is.

NetworkNewb

CON:
Because someone claiming to have watched a video online on a topic means close to zero anyone...

No proof they did it or if they retained any of the info.

PRO:
????

DatabaseHead

Pro - Market yourself and most people don't know the difference between certifications, at least in HR.

Cons - Looks like amature hour from a trained eye. Do training to get better, not for recognition.

I actually do have one from Coursera, programming verified one. Doesn't it mean much naaaaaa but it was easy to add so I did.

DoubleNNs

I put completed coursework on my LinkedIn -- and that includes CBT Nugget series. If it wasn't related to a certification and is pertinent to my desired position, it goes on my LinkedIn.
But CCNA, MCTS videos etc? I leave those off, regardless of whether I've finished the cert or not.

NetworkingStudent

Thank you guys for answering my questions.

I won't add completed courses to my linked in profile.

sj4088

Lexluethar wrote: »

Not worth it, just like it's not worth putting "almost graduated" on it. If it's a class for a certification once you pass the certification on there but not that you took a class for it.

I have worked with a lot of people that have taken MCSA crash courses, but it means nothing imo without the certification pass. Same goes for a degree, until you have that piece of paper being 12 credit hours away from passing means nothing. It's how it is.

I kind of disagree. As far as courses on sites like Lynda go I probably wouldn't do it. However I definitely would put how much college I have completed on there. If you have completed three years of a computer science degree that's pretty significant even though you haven't completed the degree yet. But even if I only had completed a year or two of the degree I would put it on my linkedin or resume stating what I have completed.

As far as boot camps for things like MCSE, RHCE or CCNA I'd lean toward putting them on my linkedin or resume as well. It doesn't hurt you even if it doesn't help you so why not?

EnderWiggin

If it was a certification boot camp, I could see putting it on there, and then removing it after passing the cert.

TechGuru80

Some courses I see value in listing. For example if you take a course on Windows Security but there isn't a certification related to the course...or just to show your knowledge base because you don't have a Windows certification it helps. Another example would be taking Penetration Testing with Kali (the course for OSCP) is valuable knowledge even if you don't pass the OSCP exam. I wouldn't list more than maybe 3-4 though.

iBrokeIT

I put the ones that are noteworthy and not subscription based like SANS, eLS and VMware ICM. If I put every CBT course, Pluralsight course and YouTube video I watch my profile would get diluted and be a mile long.

danny069

I would never put completed coursework such as: completed ccna training, or even have an uploaded image of a certification that says you've completed this course. I've seen this on linkedin profiles and in my mind I'm saying to myself, so you've completed the course but didn't get certified? That makes you look bourgeois. What I would add is relevant coursework, with the valid course number, under your college or university degree.

Ismaeljrp

Not those kind of courses. College courses yes, if you've completed your degree. It can help eliminate ambiguity. I think if it's a required course for a certification, go ahead and put it if you want. I put my Vsphere ICM course on my profile, I haven't completed the cert yet, and sure for some that may look bad, but for others it may look good. It's like a glass half-full take on it. An employer knows they don't have to pay for the course and they can just ask me to complete the cert.

$bvb379

I put all of my college courses on there. The more keywords that pop up leading potential employers to view my profile the better.