In this article, you’ll learn more about this little-known multilingual LinkedIn profile feature, how it works, and how to create your LinkedIn profile in multiple languages ranging from Arabic to Turkish.
How the “Add Profile in Another Language” Feature Works
The primary language of your LinkedIn profile is the language you used to create your LinkedIn account. Note, however, that this language can differ from your interface language.
With the Add a Profile in Another Language feature, you can easily replicate your LinkedIn profile in as many other languages as are supported. Once set up, LinkedIn members can view your profile in their chosen language, provided it matches any of the languages of your additional profiles. Otherwise, they can only view your profile in your primary language.
You’re only allowed to have one profile per language. And although there’s currently no setting that allows you to directly change the language of your primary profile, there’s a simple workaround for this. We’ll show you how in a bit.
How to Replicate Your LinkedIn Profile in Multiple Languages
You can only set up your LinkedIn profile in multiple languages using a computer, and it’s simple to do.
Go to LinkedIn, click on the Me button in the top-right section of your screen, then click on View Profile. Click on the Me button again to retract the dropdown menu.
Now, click on Add profile in another language and click on the dropdown button under Language of new profile to choose your new language.
Select your new language from the dropdown list. There are more than 20 languages to choose from. Enter your first name and last name in the space provided. If you have a French spelling of your name, for instance, you can use it to further differentiate this profile from your English profile.
You also have the option to write your LinkedIn headline. You can simply copy and translate your current headline, or write something unique and compelling for your new profile. Click Create Profile when done, then click Done to finalize.
Your new profile will now be reflected on your LinkedIn page. To access it, simply click on the Me button, click View Profile, click on the Me button again to retract the dropdown menu, then click on the new language.
It will be displayed side-by-side with your other profiles so that you can easily switch profiles from one language to another. You can independently edit each of your profiles, no matter the language.
To add more languages, click on Me, click View Profile, then click on Me again. Now, click on the globe icon on the right of the page, click on the Add profile in another language button, and repeat the steps above.
To delete a LinkedIn profile in another language, simply go to the language in question, click on X, then click Remove. Note that all the information on the deleted LinkedIn profile will be lost, so you may want to save important data before deleting it.
How to Change the Primary Language of Your LinkedIn Profile
LinkedIn only allows one profile per language and there’s no direct way of changing your primary profile’s language. Here’s what to do instead if you want to change the language of your primary LinkedIn profile.
Scenario 1: You Have One Profile and Want to Change Its Primary Language
If your primary profile language is English, for instance, and you want to change it to another language, like French, without adding a second profile in another language, here’s what you need to do.
Go to your LinkedIn profile, click on the Me button, click on View Profile, and click on Add profile in another language. Click on Choose, select English as Language of new profile then select your desired language as Language of existing profile. Fill out the rest of the form and your primary profile language will be changed to your new language.
Scenario 2: You Have Multiple Profiles and Want to Change Your Primary Profile’s Language
If you already have profiles in other languages but want to change the language of your primary profile, simply delete all the other secondary profiles, leaving only your primary profile. Then repeat the steps in Scenario 1 above to change the language of your primary profile.
What Happens After You Create LinkedIn Profiles in Other Languages?
After you create additional LinkedIn profiles in other languages, you’ll notice that they’re all identical copies of your primary LinkedIn profile, except for the language. Other LinkedIn members can view your profile in all those other languages as well. They’ll be prompted to select the language in which they want to view your profile when they load the page.
This is one of several ways to broaden and diversify your LinkedIn network. It can also increase your chances of landing a job by increasing the number of jobs for which you qualify, as well as showing that you’re multilingual, if required. You’ll also show up in search results if members search in any of the languages in which you have a LinkedIn profile.
Let Your LinkedIn Profile Speak Your Language
Having your LinkedIn profile listed in different languages that you’re fluent in can open new doors for you professionally. Use the steps outlined in this article to replicate your LinkedIn profile in additional languages. If, at the end of the day, you decide otherwise, simply delete all the other secondary profiles with a few clicks and retain your primary LinkedIn profile. This is one of several ways to make your LinkedIn profile stand out from the crowd. We’ve also covered different steps you can take to further optimize your LinkedIn profile.
