LinkedIn skill assessments have become an increasingly popular way for professionals to showcase their abilities and credentials on their LinkedIn profiles. But do recruiters actually look at and value these skill assessments when evaluating candidates? The short answer is yes – recruiters do often review LinkedIn skill assessments when screening candidates for open roles.
What are LinkedIn Skill Assessments?
LinkedIn skill assessments are short, standardized tests that allow LinkedIn members to demonstrate their proficiency in various skills, tools, and subjects. Skill assessments test a wide range of professional competencies including programming languages like Python and JavaScript, design tools like Photoshop and Figma, software like Excel and Salesforce, and professional skills like project management and customer service.
Once completed, skill assessments display as badges on a member’s profile, indicating their level of ability in a certain skill. There are three levels of badges that can be earned: Beginner, Intermediate, and Expert. Each assessment quiz has around 10-15 multiple choice questions that must be completed within a short time limit.
Why Do Recruiters Value LinkedIn Skill Assessments?
Here are some of the key reasons why recruiters often carefully review candidates’ LinkedIn skill assessments:
- They serve as credible, standardized measures of skills. Rather than vaguely listing “Excel” on a resume, a candidate can substantiate their proficiency by displaying Expert-level Excel skills on their profile.
- They indicate interest and motivation. Completing skill assessments shows that a candidate is willing to put in time and effort to build up their credentials.
- They validate skills over time. Skill assessments must be retaken periodically to maintain the badge on a profile, ensuring the skills are still up-to-date.
- They’re efficient screening tools. Recruiters can quickly scan for certain skill assessment badges when searching profiles for qualified candidates.
- They complement experience. Skill assessments help quantify hard skills, while a resume demonstrates real-world experience applying those skills.
Which Skills Do Recruiters Look For?
While recruiters look for a variety of pertinent skill assessments depending on the role, here are some of the most in-demand skills that recruiters frequently screen for:
Skill Category | Specific Skills/Tools |
---|---|
Programming Languages | JavaScript, Python, SQL, C++ |
Design Tools | Photoshop, Figma, Canva |
Software & Apps | Excel, Salesforce, HubSpot |
Professional Skills | Leadership, Communication, Project Management |
For technical roles like software engineering or data science, programming language assessments are very sought after. For marketing and design, tools like Photoshop and Figma badges will be prioritized. Across all roles, assessments in widely-used software like Excel and Salesforce convey valuable skills.
What Level of Badge Do Recruiters Look For?
We’ve established that recruiters do value LinkedIn skill assessments, but does the level of badge matter? Generally, recruiters have the following preferences when screening assessment badges:
- Expert badges are the most impressive and correlate to advanced skills. If a candidate has an Expert badge for a key skill, they will stand out.
- Intermediate badges are still solid signals of proficient skills for most roles. Beginner-level skills may not convey enough ability.
- The required skill level depends on the role. For senior positions, Expert badges are often expected. For more junior roles, Intermediate may suffice.
- For newer or less common skills, Beginner badges can demonstrate interest and willingness to learn.
While Expert badges are ideal, Intermediate skills are usually adequate for most employers’ needs. However, if two similar candidates both meet the qualifications but one has higher-level skill badges, the one with Expert skills has an advantage.
Do Assessments Replace Having Experience?
It’s important to note that while recruiters value LinkedIn skill assessments, they do not replace the need for tangible experience applying those skills. Assessments complement and enhance a candidate’s resume by validating the skills they already lay claim to.
Some recruiters may use skill assessments to screen candidates for basic proficiency before moving onto assessing real-world experience. Others may look for the assessments after identifying experienced candidates, using them as “tie-breaking” factors when comparing applicants.
But either way, LinkedIn assessments should not serve as the sole credentials for hard skills. Work history showing where, when, and how skills were applied is still crucial. Recruiters will be very skeptical of profiles with skill badges but no related experience listed.
How Candidates Can Use Assessments Strategically
Understanding that recruiters actively review LinkedIn skill assessments can help job seekers be more strategic in completing them. Here are some tips:
- Choose assessments for your most relevant or impressive skills. Don’t feel you need to take every test – focus on ones that align with your goals.
- Refresh expired assessments periodically so they stay current on your profile.
- Display your skill badges prominently near the top of your profile.
- Supplement skills on your resume with any related assessment badges.
- Aim for Expert-level badges in skills that are crucial for the roles you want.
Limitations of LinkedIn Skill Assessments
While LinkedIn skill assessments have many benefits, it’s important to recognize their limitations as well:
- The short format limits depth and mastery testing for complex skills.
- Badges reward general proficiency but don’t capture specialized expertise.
- Assessments are easier to cheat on than demonstrated work experience.
- The quality and validity of some assessments has been criticized.
- Skills can become outdated over time if assessments aren’t maintained.
So while skill assessments do matter and can influence recruiters, they paint an incomplete picture on their own. They are one supplemental data point among many used to evaluate candidates.
The Bottom Line
LinkedIn skill assessments are valued professional credentials that make candidates more attractive to recruiters. When used strategically, they can demonstrate interest, motivation, and proficiency in key skills.
Recruiters will look for assessment badges that are current, relevant to the role, and display deeper levels of mastery. But LinkedIn assessments should enhance, not replace, concrete experience applying those abilities.
With the right skills and strategy, LinkedIn’s growing skill assessment ecosystem can help talented professionals stand out and launch their next career move.