How to Put In Progress Certification on LinkedIn

Working on a certification and want to showcase it?
You can and you should add in-progress certifications to LinkedIn. It shows recruiters and connections that you're actively growing, even if the course isn't complete yet. Here’s a simple, step-by-step guide on how to put in progress certification on LinkedIn with useful tips.

Pro Tip: Want personalized guidance on building a job-winning LinkedIn profile? Book a LinkedIn review session with a mentor at Emergi Mentors.

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Why Add In-Progress Certifications to LinkedIn?

Recruiters don’t just look for completed degrees or past jobs, they also want to know if you're learning new skills right now. Showing an in-progress certification signals initiative and upskilling. It helps you appear in more keyword-based recruiter searches. It also keeps your profile active and engaging.

So even if you're just halfway through your Google Data Analytics, AWS, or Power BI course, it’s worth adding!

Where to Add an In-Progress Certification on LinkedIn

You have two main options:

Option 1: Add it under the “Licenses & Certifications” section

This is best when you're taking a formal course with a certifying body like Google, Coursera, AWS, etc.

Option 2: Add it to your “Featured” or “About” section (optional)

Great for additional context, especially if you’ve started applying your learnings to projects.

Also learn if you need an About me section on your resume.

Step-by-Step: How to Add In-Progress Certification on LinkedIn

Step 1: Go to Your LinkedIn Profile

Click “Me” > View Profile

Step 2: Scroll to “Licenses & Certifications”

Click the “+” icon.

Step 3: Fill Out the Certification Info

Here’s how to handle each field for in-progress certifications:

• Name: Enter the full certification title (e.g., Google Data Analytics Certificate)

• Issuing Organization: (e.g., Coursera, AWS, Microsoft)

• Issue Date: Leave blank or add the start date

• Expiration Date: Leave unchecked unless it's a short-term cert

• Credential ID & URL: Optional if you haven’t received them yet

• Check “This credential does not expire”

• Description (optional): Add “Currently in progress. Expected completion: [Month, Year]”

Step 4: Save and View

Once you hit Save, your in-progress certification will appear in your profile, right under the Certifications section.

Alternative: Mention It in Your “About” Section

If you want more flexibility, you can also mention it in your About section like this:

Currently pursuing the Google Data Analytics Certificate on Coursera. Developing skills in SQL, Tableau, and Python for business insights.

This helps give recruiters additional context even before you finish the course.

Tips for Highlighting In-Progress Certifications

• Be honest: Never claim to be certified if you aren’t yet. Use “in progress” or “expected completion” clearly.

• Include expected skills: e.g., “Learning SQL, data visualization, and data storytelling.”

• Update it once completed: When you finish, update the credential URL and issue date.

Common Certifications You Might Want to Add (Even If In Progress)

• Google Data Analytics / Google Advanced Analytics

• IBM Data Analyst

• Microsoft Power BI / Azure Fundamentals

• AWS Certified Data Engineer

• Tableau Specialist

• Python for Data Science (by IBM, Datacamp, or Coursera)

Final Thoughts: Make Your Learning Visible

You don’t need to wait until everything is “perfect” to show what you're working on. By adding in-progress certifications to your LinkedIn profile, you make your learning journey public and that’s powerful for networking, job searches, and confidence.

Need help building your LinkedIn or choosing the right certifications?
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