LinkedIn badges are a way for LinkedIn members to showcase their skills, interests, and achievements on their profile. There are over 50 types of badges members can earn by completing courses, passing assessments, reaching milestones, and more. While earning badges can help boost your LinkedIn presence, what happens if you attempt but fail to earn a badge?
Why Do People Pursue LinkedIn Badges?
There are a few key reasons why LinkedIn members pursue badges:
- Validate skills and knowledge – Badges serve as a form of social proof that you have proficiency in a certain skillset, programming language, software, etc.
- Showcase achievements – Badges recognize major milestones like work anniversaries, volunteering hours, and publishing.
- Gain credibility – Displaying relevant badges can add legitimacy and authority to your background.
- Expand professional brand – Badges allow you to highlight diverse interests, passions and expertise.
- Career development – Some badges are associated with courses and trainings that can help advance your skills.
- Get noticed – Profiles with badges tend to stand out more in search results and catch recruiters’ eyes.
For these reasons, LinkedIn badges have become an important way for members to enhance their personal brand and attract opportunities. The badges appear front and center on your profile and signal to viewers that you have put in the work to develop and validate your capabilities.
What Does It Mean If You Fail to Earn a Badge?
If you attempt but do not pass the requirements to earn a LinkedIn badge, all is not lost. Here’s what failing a badge does (and doesn’t) mean:
No badge displayed
First and foremost, if you fail the knowledge check, course completion, or other prerequisites for a badge, you will not attain the badge or be able to showcase it on your profile. So failing means missing out on that credential to exhibit your skills or achievements to your connections.
Progress not saved
When you are working through the content and assessments for a badge, LinkedIn does save your progress as you go. But if you end up failing the badge requirements at the end, any preliminary progress does not carry over if and when you decide to retry for the badge. You would have to thoroughly start over from scratch.
Badge can be attempted again
The good news is that failing or not earning a badge the first time does not necessarily disqualify you from trying again in the future. You can generally attempt most badges multiple times until you complete the requirements. So do not get too discouraged if you do not pass on the first attempt.
Skills remain intact
It is important to note that you do not lose any actual skills or knowledge just because you did not attain a LinkedIn badge related to those competencies. Not earning a badge does not take away the expertise you have built up. The badge is just an additional layer of social proof that you know those skills.
Profile impact minimal
Besides not having the badge to showcase, failing to earn a LinkedIn badge does not directly affect your LinkedIn profile or account status in any other way. It does not alter your connections, endorsements, recommendations, profile content, or anything else.
Some exam prep suggested
For badges that involve extensive courses or exams, like certifications and microcredentials, LinkedIn does recommend going through some studying and test prep if you fail on your first try. But beyond suggesting you brush up on your knowledge, there is no penalty or profile damage.
Steps to Take If You Fail a LinkedIn Badge
Here are some tips on what to do next if you attempt a LinkedIn badge unsuccessfully:
Analyze why you failed
First, try to determine exactly why and where you fell short on the badge requirements. Was there a knowledge gap? Did you fail to complete all components? What tripped you up? Identifying the issues can help you form a plan to conquer the badge.
Review the material again
For badges with coursework, assessments or tests, go back through the content again fully if possible. Take notes on areas you were shaky on the first time. Revisit modules, units, and sections you struggled with. Understanding the material is key.
Give it another attempt
Once you identify weak points and brush up on the subject matter, the obvious next step is to simply try again for the badge. Now that you know what to expect and which parts require more focus, you can pass the requirements.
Get some outside help
If you fail again or want some extra support, consider finding a tutor, taking supplemental classes, or asking someone skilled to mentor you on the topic. Having an expert guide you through the material can make a difference.
Add skills another way
If you ultimately decide the badge is not for you after multiple tries, you can still add those skills to your profile through descriptions, media, volunteer experience, recommendations, endorsements, etc. The badge is not the only route.
Be patient and persistent
Remember that gaining new skills takes time for most people. Allow yourself grace to learn at your own pace. Stay determined in pursuing the badge over a longer timeframe if needed. Persistence often pays off.
What Skills Should You Develop If You Don’t Earn a Badge?
While the technical skills represented by each LinkedIn badge are important, here are a few other meta-skills that can help you succeed if you fail to earn a badge initially:
Resilience
Pushing through setbacks and trying again with effort and energy. The ability to bounce back from disappointment and keep moving forward.
Self-reflection
Honestly looking within yourself to identify needed improvements. Having the courage to admit weaknesses and gaps in knowledge.
Resourcefulness
Seeking out information, people, tools, and strategies to support your learning and development. Taking initiative to get help.
Adaptability
Adjusting your approaches based on mistakes and feedback. Being flexible and willing to modify your methods to achieve goals.
Patience
Recognizing growth takes sustained work over time. Maintaining composure and persistence despite setbacks.
Determination
Committing to long-term development goals regardless of challenges. Staying motivated and focused on learning.
Examples of Relevant Badges You Might Fail
Here are some examples of widely pursued LinkedIn badges where failure is a possibility along the journey:
Microsoft Certified: Azure Fundamentals
Earning this badge requires passing Microsoft Exam AZ-900. The failure rate for first-time test takers is over 50%. The badge verifies skills in cloud concepts, core Azure services, security, privacy, pricing, and support.
Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)
This badge involves meeting experience requirements and passing the CAPM exam. Only around 60% of exam takers pass on their first try. The badge demonstrates project management skills aligned with PMBOK standards.
Tableau Desktop Specialist
Achieving this badge necessitates passing the Tableau Desktop Specialist exam. Average first-attempt pass rate is around 63%. The badge validates data visualization skills and proficiency with Tableau products.
Adobe Certified Expert – Marketo Engage Business Practitioner
Earning this digital marketing badge requires completing the Marketo Engage exam. Initial pass rate is only 50%. The badge shows expertise in Marketo tools for account-based marketing, email, and more.
Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)
This widely recognized IT badge involves passing the new consolidated CCNA exam. Pass rate on first attempt is roughly 80%. The badge verifies skills in networking, security, automation, and infrastructure.
Should You List a Failed Badge Attempt on Your Profile?
If you attempt a LinkedIn badge but do not pass, should you still list the failed try on your profile? Here are some pros and cons to consider:
Pros
- Shows initiative and drive for self-improvement
- Exhibits your interests and pursuits in that skill area
- Displays your willingness to put yourself out there and challenge yourself
- Illustrates you have baseline knowledge even if you did not fully master the topic
- Presents honesty and authenticity around your skills
Cons
- Prevents you from showcasing the badge itself on your profile
- Potentially raises questions or doubts from viewers about your competency
- Omits an opportunity to reinforce skills through a concrete credential
- Conveys an impression of failure versus success
Overall, it is typically not recommended to list unfinished or failed badge progress on your LinkedIn profile. The cons seem to outweigh the pros in most cases. But some exceptions could be certifications or courses you fully completed yet did not pass the exam.
What to Do If You Fail the Same Badge Repeatedly
If you try in earnest for a badge multiple times but cannot seem to pass the requirements, here are some constructive steps to take:
Question if it is the right fit
After several failed attempts, reflect honestly on whether this badge aligns with your strengths, interests, and professional goals. Do not force it if it is clearly not a good match.
Ask for feedback
Reach out to the issuer of the badge, instructors, coaches, or anyone with expertise in that area. Ask for candid input on why you are not succeeding and how you can improve.
Take a substantial break
Consider taking several months off from pursuing this badge. Give your mind a reset. Come back to it fresher down the line. The time away can offer new perspective.
Improve foundational skills
Determine if lack of fundamental skills or knowledge is limiting your ability to earn the badge. Invest time shoring up those prerequisites first.
Try alternative learning methods
Change up your approaches to the material. If you relied on independent studying before, take an in-person prep course. Adjust how you take notes or structure your practice.
Reconsider if the badge is essential
Weigh the time and energy required against the potential rewards of this badge. Reflect on whether it is truly necessary for your goals before continuing to invest effort into it.
Should You Give Up on Earning the Badge Entirely?
At what point should you call it quits on working toward a badge? Here are some questions to help evaluate whether to keep pursuing or abandon efforts altogether:
- Have you tried earning the badge 5+ times without success?
- Are you consistently failing by a wide margin?
- Do you strongly grasp the underlying skills and knowledge required?
- Are you willing and able to make major preparation changes to pass?
- Is attaining this badge central to your career goals?
- Are you spending unreasonable time, money and energy on the pursuit?
- Would your time be better directed elsewhere?
If you answer “yes” to the first 3 questions and “no” to the rest, it may be prudent to cut your losses. Failing repeatedly with no traction or hope of passing soon may indicate it is time to direct efforts more productively.
Other Ways to Demonstrate Skills Without the Badge
While a badge can nicely validate abilities in many cases, it is not the sole way to exhibit your competencies on LinkedIn and beyond. Some other options include:
Detailed skills section
Thoroughly listing out relevant skills on your LinkedIn profile with descriptions. Get endorsements from connections for key skills as well.
Project examples
Showcasing work samples, portfolio pieces, applications, analyses, or other tangible projects in your profile. Provides concrete evidence of applied skills.
Course completion
Listing individual classes, trainings, workshops, bootcamps, and learning programs you have finished related to the skill domain.
Client testimonials and reviews
Collecting and displaying positive feedback from people you have done work for, especially as it relates to your capabilities.
Recommendations
Asking managers, colleagues, professors, or clients to write LinkedIn recommendations highlighting your skills and expertise.
Certificates of completion
Uploading any certificates you receive for completing courses, trainings, and programs related to the skills.
Key Takeaways
Here are some top takeaways to keep in mind around LinkedIn badges:
- Failing a badge simply means you do not attain the credential but usually can try again.
- The skills and knowledge remain intact even if you do not earn the badge.
- Analyze reasons for failure, revisit content, get help, and try again.
- Persistence is key but reconsider after repeated failed attempts.
- Weigh pros and cons of listing failed tries on your profile.
- Supplement by showcasing skills through projects, testimonials, courses, recommendations, etc.
While LinkedIn badges provide nice external validation, remember your inner abilities ultimately matter most. Skills can be demonstrated through a variety of channels beyond badges. View failures as part of the journey and be patient but persistent in pursuing credentials important to your goals.