How to Use Diplomas and Certifications in Your LinkedIn Profile Pictures and Backgrounds

So, you’ve got a shiny new diploma after college or university graduation or another crisp certificate in your professional development—congratulations! It still smells of printer ink and signals about your achievements. Or perhaps you’ve already even framed it—a thumb up for you! And you’re so proud (as you should be!) and eager to shout it from the rooftops.

Guess what?

Social media platforms are your digital rooftops, and LinkedIn is one of the best ones to do just that. Why not show it off on LinkedIn? What’s stopping you?

This article will definitely convince you to use diplomas and certifications in your profile picture or background image (banner) on LinkedIn, explaining why and how.

Let’s go, shall we?

Why Feature Your Diplomas/Certificates in Your LinkedIn Profile Picture and Banner to Stand Out in the Scroll

“Wow, is that a Harvard Law School diploma?”

That’s how a LinkedIn user may stop mid-scroll to pay closer attention to the LinkedIn profile picture with the diploma in question.

However, it doesn’t necessarily have to be Ivy League diplomas or certificates to stop people from scrolling. The whole point lies in the standing-out phenomenon:

• It’s something you’ve achieved with hard work: People are usually curious to know what others do or have. That’s why personal storytelling (this time—visual) works.
• It’s something unique and exceptional: It’s one of a kind, as it has your name on it.
• It’s something remarkable or even stunning: Especially if you pick or design a custom frame for your diploma/certificate, which will instantly catch the eye and amaze.

Generally, it boils down to this. Practically everyone has a professional headshot on LinkedIn. But! Not everyone features a professional certificate or diploma in it—this makes you an outstanding scroll-stopper.

To Enhance Your Personal Branding (And Then, Your Brand Memorability)

Shining in your LinkedIn profile photo or background image, the diploma or certification is virtually a marker that notifies others about your professional identity: “This person is an MBA holder,” or “This person is PMP-certified.”

This way, you don’t brag—you brand. Your educational credentials become a part of your personal brand. They are like logos in business. You won’t trademark them, of course, but everyone will recognize and remember them on the spot as powerful visual cues that create a memorable personal brand.

Note: It’s especially significant for graduates building a strong personal brand and looking to get hired on LinkedIn. Many of them start with a polished resume template to organize their skills and education in a professional way. This approach helps present your qualifications clearly, emphasizes your strengths, and makes it easier for recruiters to see your potential.

To Highlight Your Expertise and Potential from the Very Start

“You don’t have to wait for people to “tunnel” down the page to finally see your “Education” or “Licenses & Certifications” sections. And again, if you want to land a job via LinkedIn, it saves recruiters a number of scrolls. This may not seem that important. Yet, from the psychological viewpoint, it reduces the cognitive load and is translated by the brain as something pleasant (because it’s easier to do). So, there you have it—a positive emotion associated with your name”, shares Emily Ruby, Owner at Abogada De Lesiones. 

In any case, you may want to put your most recent certifications front and center. These can be:

• Registered Nurse License
• Scrum Master Certification
• Legal Certificate
• CPA License
• AWS Solutions Architect Certification
• Chartered Financial Analyst Certificate
• Or others.

“For one thing,” says Jeffrey Zhou, CEO and Founder of Fig Loans, “when you use diplomas and certificates in your LinkedIn profile picture and banner, you build credibility and authority as a qualified specialist or expert at first sight. For another, if it’s a newly received certificate, it also indicates you don’t stop learning and growing professionally. It’s one of the qualities employers seek in candidates.”

To Melt the Social Frost and Start the Talk

Yes, diplomas and certifications are great “frost-melters” or ice-breakers on social platforms like LinkedIn. They often serve as ice-breaking topics for starting a discussion.

So, what happens when people notice a diploma or certificate in your LinkedIn profile picture or background image? Suppose these could be your college/university alums, who are enthusiastic about networking with you, or recruiters looking for the right candidates.

For example:

Having noticed your diploma, an employer/recruiter is DMing you to ask about your career plans after graduation. And bam—the topic ball has been kicked down the communication field (and maybe the dream job is yours—who knows!).

5 Best Ways of Using Diplomas and Certificates in Profile Pictures and Banners on LinkedIn

1.) Take a Professional Shot with a Framed Diploma

There’s something timelessly mesmerizing about a human smile and a beautifully framed diploma in the same shot in a LinkedIn profile picture.

Here are several tips to take such a photograph professionally and make your diploma the star supporting actor (where the star is you, of course):

• Choose a well-lit place. Ideally, set the stage with natural light.
• Dress up for the photo. Wear something that fits the moment perfectly. Your graduation gown? Great! A smart-casual outfit or suit? Also fine. Pajamas or gym shorts? Better not.
• Strike the pose. Hold your diploma frame confidently and proudly.
• Hire a photographer (if needed). If your budget allows, consider hiring a professional photographer who can guarantee a polished headshot for your LinkedIn profile.