Awards on LinkedIn: Which ones to add and how to do that?

What Not to Include

You must be careful with the profile optimization and mind the quantity and quality of awards you are introducing to your LinkedIn account. Avoid cluttering your profile with:

• • Participation certificates.

• • Very old or irrelevant school-level awards.

• • Non-verifiable or informal recognitions.

• • Awards that don’t relate to your professional brand or goals.

Keep your profile sharp, focused, and meaningful.

How to Add Awards to LinkedIn

LinkedIn doesn’t have a dedicated “Awards” section anymore. Instead, awards are added under the LinkedIn Honors and Awards section, which may appear within your “Accomplishments.”

Steps to Add an Award:

1. 1. Go to your profile: Click on “Me” at the top of your LinkedIn homepage and select “View Profile.”

1. 1. Scroll down to Accomplishments: If you don’t see it, click the “Add profile section” button and choose “Accomplishments.”

1. 1. Click the “+” sign next to Honors & Awards.

1. 1. Fill in the details:

      • • Title: The name of the award.
      • • Issuer: Organization that issued the award.
      • • Date: When you received it.
      • • Associated with: Connect it with a job or education entry if applicable.
      • • Description: Briefly describe the award’s significance, selection criteria, and why you earned it.

1. 1. Save: Click “Save” and the award will appear in your accomplishments list.

Tips to Showcase Awards Effectively

1. Be Concise but Descriptive

Avoid vague entries. For example, don’t just say “Employee of the Month.” Add context:

“Recognized as Employee of the Month for leading a 20-person team on a successful product launch, boosting revenue by 30%.”

2. Use Metrics Where Possible

Numbers add impact:

“Top 10 out of 5,000 applicants in the National UX Design Challenge.”

3. Use Keywords

Think about what recruiters or collaborators might search for. Including terms like “design award,” “top salesperson,” or “scholarship winner” can improve discoverability. Properly automating your LinkedIn profile can include all the keywords you want to be used in your messages, connection requests, posts, and awards.

4. Pair Awards with Visuals

Upload media in your Featured section or under the Experience section. Include images, videos, certificates, or press releases that reinforce the award.

5. Pin Awards in Featured Section

For highly prestigious awards, create a post about your achievement and pin it to your “Featured” section for visibility.

Where Else Can You Mention Awards?

Besides the “Honors & Awards” section, you can:

• • Experience Section – Add awards you earned in specific roles under that job entry.

• • Education – Include academic honors under the education details.

• • About Section – Mention high-impact awards in a narrative style.

• • Featured Section – Upload proof or post a story around the award.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if my award is team-based, not individual?

You can still add it. Make it clear in the description:

“Part of the team that won the XYZ Innovation Award for developing a sustainable packaging solution.”

Should I add awards from high school?

If you’re early in your career or if the award is prestigious, then yes. Otherwise, focus on more recent or career-relevant achievements.

Do online course awards count?

They can, especially if it’s a recognized platform and you completed the course with distinction. You can also list these in the “Certifications” section.

Can I add the same award twice?

Technically, yes, but use discretion. For example, if it’s a major design award, mention it briefly under “Experience” and provide a more detailed description in “Honors & Awards.” Avoid appearing redundant.

Is it okay to post about awards on my LinkedIn feed, too?

Absolutely! Posting about awards can boost engagement, help with lead nurturing, encourage networking, and showcase your credibility. Don’t forget to tag relevant people or organizations and add a thoughtful caption.

What can be listed as honor and award on LinkedIn?

You can list a wide range of recognitions, such as:

• • Industry-specific awards – “Top 100 Marketers” for example.

• • LinkedIn company awards​ – “Employee of the Year”.

• • Academic achievements – Dean’s List and scholarships.

• • Competition wins – Hackathons and case competitions.

• • Volunteer or community service awards.

• • Certifications with high distinction.

As long as the award is credible, relevant, and adds value to your professional image, it’s worth listing.

Conclusion

In a competitive professional world, awards can be the defining element that makes your LinkedIn profile stand out. Now you know what awards to include on LinkedIn and how to add awards to LinkedIn​, and by presenting your honors, you will gain credibility and show consistent excellence and recognition. Whether you’re a rising professional or a seasoned expert, leveraging the “Honors & Awards” section on LinkedIn is a strategic move to elevate your brand. So, take stock of your accolades and proudly showcase the recognition you’ve earned.