Instead of sifting through resumes, today’s recruiters often search for candidates by viewing profiles on LinkedIn. The popular networking site showcases the skills and qualifications of 470 million people in every industry. Often times, recruiters use LinkedIn to contact qualified candidates who might not be considering a job change. They search keywords such as “data scientist” or “project manager,” compare profiles, and connect with candidates of interest. So, how can you set yourself apart from other professionals with almost identical skill sets? The answer is digital badges.
What’s in a Digital Badge?
Physical badges have been around for centuries. Organizations like the Boy Scouts and the U.S. Army use them to signify accomplishment or rank, but digital badges are relatively new to the job hunt scene. Digital badges go far beyond accolades and endorsements on LinkedIn; they really show what you know to prospective employers. That’s because there’s an entire infrastructure behind earning a badge.
How Digital Badges Work
For starters, digital badges are verified by industry leaders. For example, an organizational expert verified that the competencies mastered in the soon-to-launch course, Incorporating Data Visualizations into Presentations, are needed in a real job setting.
To earn a badge, you must prove your mastery of the course content through hands-on, skills-based assessments. An assessment tests your ability to apply knowledge in real-life situations. Only when you demonstrate your mastery of competencies in courses, such as Communicating Professionally via Phone and Business Meeting Etiquette, are you able to place a badge on your social media profile.
If a prospective employer wants to know more about a particular badge on your profile, they can see the associated list of competencies by clicking on the badge. So, unlike traditional credentials such as transcripts or certifications that leave employers guessing about their true value, employers get complete transparency about what you can do.
Badges could be the deciding factor in you getting a job over another candidate with a similar LinkedIn profile. Which badge will you display on your LinkedIn profile?