Listing work experience on LinkedIn without specific dates is becoming more common, especially for those who have gaps in their work history. There are a few ways to list experience on LinkedIn without exact dates while still providing the relevant details of your work history.
Why List Experience Without Dates?
There are several reasons why someone may want to omit dates when listing their work experience on LinkedIn:
- To hide gaps in employment
- To obscure their age and avoid potential age discrimination
- If they cannot recall exact start and end dates
- If they had multiple overlapping short-term contracts or freelance gigs
- If they want to keep their LinkedIn profile up-to-date but are currently between jobs
Listing experience without specific start and end months can give you more flexibility in presenting your work history, while still highlighting the skills and accomplishments gained from those roles.
How to Omit Dates on LinkedIn Experience
There are a few different approaches you can take to leave out dates when adding experience on LinkedIn:
Leave Out All Dates
You can simply enter the title, company name, and description for each position without including any date range at all. This completely removes any timeframes from your work history.
Use Years Only
Another option is to just list the years you held each role. For example:
Marketing Manager, XYZ Company, 2010 – 2012
This allows you to provide some context of when you held each position, without getting into specific months.
Use Date Ranges Like “2010-Present”
For ongoing positions, you can list “Present” rather than an end date:
Project Manager, ABC Corporation, March 2015 – Present
This indicates you currently hold that job while omitting the exact end date.
Combine These Approaches
You can also mix and match these approaches across your profile. For example, you may leave off all dates for past roles while using “Present” for your current job. Or only provide years for some positions while excluding dates entirely for others.
Other Tips for Excluding Dates
- Place your most recent or relevant positions first where dates may be scrutinized less.
- Use the job description to emphasize your responsibilities and achievements.
- Consider including more details like “Long-term freelance client” or “Various contracted projects” if you held many short-term roles.
- Be prepared to discuss exact dates and gaps if asked in interviews.
- Focus on skills gained rather than duration if asked about experience.
Should You Leave Off Dates on LinkedIn?
Here are some pros and cons to consider when deciding whether to omit dates from your LinkedIn profile:
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Ultimately, the decision depends on your specific situation and preferences. Leaving out exact dates can be beneficial in some cases but be prepared to speak to your work history timeline if needed.
Examples of Experience Without Dates
Here are some examples of how you can list work experience on your LinkedIn profile without specific start and end dates:
Sales Manager, XYZ Corporation
- Developed new client outreach strategy increasing sales by 30% in 2 years
- Led team of 10 sales professionals to surpass yearly revenue targets
- Managed key accounts and negotiated long-term agreements with Fortune 500 clients
Freelance Marketing Consultant, 2011-2017
- Provided digital marketing services for over 20 clients ranging from startups to large agencies
- Services included SEO optimization, content marketing, email campaigns, social media ads, and web analytics
- Instrumental in doubling client engagement and sales for 75% of businesses
Computer Technician, Best Buy
- Diagnosed and repaired computer hardware and software issues
- Provided technical support and training to customers in store and virtually
- Consistently met sales targets while maintaining high customer satisfaction
Conclusion
Excluding exact dates from your LinkedIn profile can allow greater flexibility in presenting your work history. But be prepared to provide details if required. Focus on showcasing the skills and achievements from your experience rather than duration. With careful consideration, omitting dates can be an effective approach on LinkedIn for certain situations and career histories.