Unicode is used to encode letters, symbols, and digits with values applied to different programs and platforms as a universal character standard.
Although it is not part of the LinkedIn platform, this technique can be utilized in LinkedIn or on other social media to change from the standard plain font available.
You cannot bold, underline, or italicize text on LinkedIn, but you can with Unicode.
Before you get too excited, you might wonder if there are any downsides, and there are.
- The Unicode text may not be readable on all platforms or devices
- The Unicode text may not be readable by screen readers and therefore may affect accessibility
- The characters may break and appear one way on one device and completely different on another
- If used in an email, your communique might wind up in a spam folder
If you want to experiment, make sure you save a copy of your profile first.
Here are some links you may find useful:
- A Unicode Toy
- Cool Symbol Font Keyboard
- Lingo Jam Font Changer
- Mess Letters
- Small Text Generator
- Unicode Character Table
- YayText
- The Fancy Text (a new 2023 addition to this list thanks to Annette Richmond!)
- or you can Google “Uniform Text Converter” and choose what you like
Highlight the Unicode text you want to use and hit Ctrl-C (Cmd-C on a Mac) and paste using Ctrl-V (Cmd-V on a Mac).
If you want to add a pop of color to your profile, you can also use emojis.
Have fun, but don’t overdo it.
NEXT STEPS
- Subscribe to my newsletter on LinkedIn for bright ideas to manage your career.
- Join as a member at https://greatcareers.org/membership of the #1 business networking association on the Philadelphia Business Journal’s Book of Lists three years in a row!
- If you need a resume or LinkedIn profile to get you to your next step, book a call to chat!
- Follow #GreatCareersPHL
AUTHOR BIO
Lynne M. Williams is the Executive Director of the Great Careers Groups, a volunteer-run 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that provides career development and networking connections for 1) job seekers in career transition, including veterans, and 2) employed and self-employed for career management.
Aside from writing keyword-focused content for ATS resumes and LinkedIn profiles, Lynne is currently writing her doctoral dissertation on LinkedIn for Job Seekers. She is a contributing author on “Applying to Positions” in Find Your Fit: A Practical Guide to Landing the Job You Love, along with the late Dick Bolles, the author of What Color is Your Parachute?, and is also a speaker on career topics.
This article is also published on: vista.today, montco.today, delco.today, bucksco.today, and in the author’s LinkedIn newsletter. A list of articles can also be found in a Google doc.
