Why Your Side Projects Matter
In a sea of similar resumes, a well-executed side project tells a story that formal job descriptions often can't. It shows recruiters you possess initiative, passion for your field, and the ability to manage a project from concept to completion. For entry-level
candidates who may have limited formal work experience, projects serve as tangible proof of their skills. Whether it's a personal blog, a mobile app, a data analysis report, or a volunteer initiative, these efforts demonstrate commitment and a proactive approach to skill development that employers value highly.
Use the Dedicated 'Projects' Section
LinkedIn has a specific section designed to showcase your project work, and it's the most common place recruiters expect to find this information. To add a project, go to your profile, click “Add profile section,” and select “Add projects” from the “Recommended” dropdown. This opens a form where you can detail the project name, dates, and a description. You can also add collaborators to show teamwork and associate the project with a specific job or educational entry for context. This is the foundational step for getting your work officially listed on your profile.
Spotlight Your Best Work in the 'Featured' Section
The 'Featured' section is your profile's highlight reel. Located prominently below your 'About' section, it allows you to visually showcase your proudest accomplishments. This is the perfect place to pin your most impressive side project. You can add links to live websites, GitHub repositories, articles you've written, or media files like images and PDFs. A visually engaging 'Featured' section can stop a recruiter from scrolling and encourage them to click and learn more about your work. Profiles with media attachments often receive significantly more views.
Craft Compelling Project Descriptions
How you describe your project is as important as the project itself. Don't just state what you did; explain the context and the outcome. Use the description field, which allows up to 2,000 characters, to tell a story. Start with a clear statement about the project's purpose and the problem it solved. Whenever possible, quantify your results. For example, instead of saying you “built a website,” you could say you “developed and launched a responsive e-commerce site that processed 100+ orders in its first month.” Use keywords relevant to your industry to improve your profile’s visibility in recruiter searches.
Link Your Projects to Skills and Experience
To create a cohesive profile, connect your projects directly to the skills you claim to have. When adding a project, you can tag the specific skills you used. These tags will then appear in your main 'Skills' section, providing validation from your project work. Furthermore, you can associate a project with a role in your 'Experience' section. This is particularly useful if the project was part of a formal job or internship, as it provides direct context for your accomplishments within that role. For very significant projects, some professionals even list them under the work experience section to ensure they are prioritized by LinkedIn's algorithm.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
When showcasing projects, avoid a few common pitfalls. First, don't just link to a project without providing any context. A bare link to a GitHub repository is less impactful than one with a clear description of your role and the project's goals. Second, ensure any links you provide are live and lead to a polished final product or a well-documented code repository. Finally, be selective. It's better to feature one or two high-quality, completed projects than a long list of unfinished or irrelevant ones. Your LinkedIn profile is about curation, so focus on showcasing the work that best represents your skills and career aspirations.
