If you’re managing two careers or skill sets, you might wonder if you really should create two LinkedIn profiles to organize everything neater. I’ll tell you straight that it doesn’t make so much sense, but let me stop you here. Before you go down that path, let’s first explore why sticking with one profile will help you strengthen, not weaken, your professional presence.
Why Having One LinkedIn Profile is the Smarter Choice
This was long ago, and LinkedIn did allow multiple profiles. However, that is no longer the case. If this were the case, creating two profiles would not be helpful but harmful.
Consider this scenario from a prospective employer or client: You have landed on two profiles with the same name, but that one focused so much on a different career.
That is quite confusing and even makes you appear disorganized or indecisive. Read my exclusive story on why authenticity is more important than just making noise online. One profile does not necessarily mean a person has to be limited to just one set of skills or career paths. It can be more dynamic and more attractive.
Here’s how:
- Consistency Is the Key: One profile will make things straightforward. The employer or client won’t have to guess which one is the right version of you, and that will make them trust your brand better.
- One Profile, Multiple Skills: The points inside the “Experience” and “Skills” sections can easily be described as different roles. LinkedIn offers so much flexibility to paint a holistic picture of your diverse expertise.
- Optimization: A single, well-optimized profile with a clear message will rank better with search results. Splintering your profile might dilute your SEO strength.
How to Showcase Multiple Careers Effectively
So, how can you use LinkedIn to show all your talents without looking scatterbrained? Here are some actionable tips:
- Write a Clear Headline: Your headline will be the very first thing people see. It needs to capture both areas of expertise, but not sound cluttered.
Use as a reference:
“Marketing Strategist | Freelance Writer Helping Brands Grow Through Engaging Content”
“Tech Consultant | Software Developer Specializing in Innovative Solutions for Small Businesses”.
Make it clear, concise, and relevant to the skills or careers you are looking to highlight. You’d love to read Land Your Dream Job Faster: 5 LinkedIn Secrets for 2024-25
2. Tell a Compelling Story in Your Summary
Your LinkedIn summary is the ideal space to connect some dots between different lives. Frame your multiple careers as strengths. Are you an IT specialist and also do digital marketing? Explain how these two areas complement each other. A summary could look something like this:
As a digital marketer with a background in IT, I bring a unique combination of tech skills and marketing insight. Whether it is to design friendly websites or develop data-driven marketing strategies, I know how to blend technology and creativity for the best results.
So there you have it; you are presenting your careers as assets, not as two separate paths.
3. Categorize Your Experience
LinkedIn will allow you to break your job history down, so take advantage of that feature. Create individual sections for each career and make sure that each one is fleshed out with accomplishments, skills, and responsibilities. It’s pretty easy for a viewer to scan your profile and see how well-rounded you are without it being overwhelming to read through.
What About Profiles in Different Languages?
Now, if you want to connect with more diversified audiences in their native languages, LinkedIn has an excellent solution for you without having to create a second profile. You can add another version of your LinkedIn profile written in a different language. That is an intelligent way to expand your network across the globe while keeping the brand coherent.
To add a profile in another language, go to your profile settings and click “Add profile in another language.” You can fill in there your full version of the profile, intended for your international readership. That is effectively like having multiple profiles but without the possible look of seeming broken up.
The Risks of Creating Two LinkedIn Profiles
Having two LinkedIn profiles might sound pretty straightforward, but reality has a way of being a little bit more complicated. That is why you are going to want to steer clear of this:
- Problems with Credibility
You would be killing your credibility by having two profiles active at one time. There is always going to be the question of which profile is the “real” one while attacking your authenticity. Honestly, do you want to walk into an interview and explain why you have two different LinkedIn accounts? - Confusion Among Other People
Just imagine trying to puzzle out which profile to connect with or endorse — for a mistake here could lead not only to mistakes but to missing possible opportunities because someone came to the “wrong” profile. - Tougher to Manage
Maintaining two different profiles is hassle enough to take care of two, update, engage and optimize for search engines-that would be a gruelling chore. Instead of duplicating your effort, concentrate on fortifying your single profile, revealing all facets of your career.
How a Unified Profile Builds Trust
A complete and balanced LinkedIn profile helps position you as a trustworthy professional. People will be more inclined to reach out if they feel they are getting a full picture of who you are and what you can do. Trust is an essential element in any personal branding, so splitting your personality into two profiles dilutes the trust.
It’s consistency, clarity, and credibility.
You may be a business owner, a freelancer, or balancing multiple careers. Having all this in one profile speaks volumes as you exude confidence in all these roles that confidence converts into trust and that trust translates to opportunities.
One Profile, Many Opportunities
Instead of having two LinkedIn profiles for your two careers, use LinkedIn’s flexibility for all your sundry talents in just one profile. Here’s a detailed video on Why You Should Not Have Two LinkedIn Profiles
It is not only a practical approach but also a smart one. You’d love to read Why Targeted Work Beats Noise on LinkedIn?
Your brand is your greatest strength, and keeping it united, consistent, and clear will attract the right clients, employers, and connections.
Be done, then, with having two profiles.
One’s better than two. Celebrate the multifaceted nature of your career path; don’t hide it on the single, well-curated LinkedIn profile that’ll now more accurately reflect you.
The most successful professionals can wear many hats without losing sight of the brand.
