Choose the Right Real Estate
Where you place your project on LinkedIn sends a clear signal. You have three main options, and using them correctly is key. The "Featured" section is your visual portfolio, sitting high on your profile. It's perfect for showcasing finished products,
links to a live site, or a standout article about your work. If your project is a significant, ongoing business like freelancing, give it its own entry in the "Experience" section. Treat it like any other job, detailing your role and achievements. For smaller updates or one-off accomplishments, the dedicated "Projects" section is ideal. You can add a project and link it to a specific job in your Experience section to provide context.
Tell a Story, Not Just a Task List
A common mistake is describing what you did, not what you accomplished. Recruiters and potential clients scan for impact, not just activity. Frame your project with a compelling narrative. Start with the problem you wanted to solve or the opportunity you saw. Instead of saying, “Built a website,” try, “Developed a fully responsive e-commerce site for a local artist, leading to a 40% increase in online sales within three months.” Use the 2,000-character description field to your advantage, but make sure the most important outcome is in the first two lines, as LinkedIn often hides the rest behind a "see more" link. This approach transforms a simple task into a success story.
Quantify Your Success with Numbers
Numbers cut through the noise and provide concrete evidence of your skills. Whenever possible, add metrics to your project descriptions to show the real-world impact of your work. This could include user numbers, revenue generated, efficiency improvements, or engagement growth. For example, “Launched a social media campaign that boosted engagement by 50%” is far more powerful than just “Ran a social media campaign.” Even if you don't have hard sales numbers, you can use other data points like "grew a newsletter to 500 subscribers in six months" or "reduced app loading time by 30%." These details make your achievements tangible and credible.
Connect Your Project to Your Career Goals
A side project can seem random if it doesn't connect to your professional identity. Explicitly bridge the gap. Use the Skills section of the project entry to tag the specific competencies you used, like 'Project Management,' 'UX Design,' or 'Content Strategy.' This not only highlights your abilities but also helps your profile appear in searches by recruiters looking for those skills. In the description, explain how the project complements your day job or aligns with the career you want. A marketing manager with a photography side business can frame it as developing skills in visual storytelling and client management. This shows that your side work is part of a deliberate professional journey.
Leverage Social Proof and Engagement
Your profile sections are static, but your activity brings them to life. Don't just list a project; talk about it. Write a LinkedIn post sharing the story behind the project, a lesson you learned, or a milestone you reached. Then, add that post to your Featured section. You can also ask collaborators or clients from your side project to provide Recommendations. A glowing review from a freelance client is powerful third-party validation of your skills and professionalism. Finally, make sure the skills you've listed for your project are endorsed by others in your network. Proactively endorsing others is a great way to encourage them to do the same for you.
