If you’ve ever stared at your LinkedIn profile and wondered, should I remove highschool from LinkedIn?, you’re not alone. This is one of those small profile decisions that feels oddly stressful. It seems minor, but it can raise bigger questions about professionalism, age, and how you want to be seen online. The short answer is: it depends. The long answer is worth reading, because removing or keeping your high school can subtly affect how recruiters, hiring managers, and even clients see you. Let’s break it down.
Why people think about removing high school from LinkedIn
Most people add their high school to LinkedIn when they first create their profile. At that point, it makes sense. If you’re a student or a recent graduate, high school may be one of the few educational experiences you can list. But as your career grows, that line can start to feel outdated. You might worry it makes your profile look junior. Or maybe you’re concerned about age bias and feel that listing high school gives away too much information. These are valid concerns. LinkedIn is not a biography. It’s a professional marketing page, and every section should earn its place.
When you should remove high school from LinkedIn
In many cases, removing high school is a smart move. If you have a college degree, a master’s degree, or specialized certifications, your high school education no longer adds value. Recruiters already assume you completed high school if you went on to higher education. Leaving it there doesn’t strengthen your profile, and it can make it look cluttered.
The same applies if you have several years of work experience. Once you’re established in your field, your recent roles, skills, and achievements matter far more than where you studied as a teenager. Another reason to remove it is focus. LinkedIn profiles perform better when they are concise and relevant. Cutting unnecessary details helps guide the reader’s eye toward what actually matters now.
So if you’re asking yourself, should I remove highschool from LinkedIn if I want to look more senior? In most professional roles, the answer is yes.
When keeping high school actually helps
That said, there are situations where keeping your high school makes sense. If you didn’t attend college, your high school education may still be your highest level of formal education. In that case, removing it could leave an awkward gap in your profile.
High school can also be relevant if it’s well-known or connected to your network. For example, some elite schools or international institutions carry strong brand recognition. Alumni connections can lead to real opportunities, especially in fields like finance, law, or politics. Another case is early career professionals. If you’re just starting out and don’t yet have much work experience, listing high school can help show your background and timeline.
What recruiters actually think
Here’s the reassuring part. Recruiters rarely reject candidates because they left high school on their profile. It’s usually a neutral detail, not a deal-breaker. What does stand out, though, is relevance. Recruiters skim profiles quickly. They care about current skills, recent roles, and measurable results. If your education section is long and outdated, it slows them down. In that sense, the question isn’t just should I remove highschool from LinkedIn? It’s does this line help tell my professional story today? If the answer is no, it’s safe to remove it.
How to decide in 30 seconds
If you’re still unsure, try this quick test. Open your LinkedIn profile and imagine you’re a recruiter hiring for your current role. Ask yourself:
- Does my high school education add credibility?
- Does it explain something important about my background?
- Would removing it make my profile cleaner and more focused?
If you answer no to the first two and yes to the third, you already have your answer.
LinkedIn is not about showing everything you’ve ever done. It’s about showing what matters now. For many professionals, that means high school no longer deserves a spot. So, should I remove highschool from LinkedIn? If you have higher education, solid experience, or want a sharper profile, removing it is often the right move. If it’s still relevant to your story, keep it. Either way, make the choice intentionally. A thoughtful profile always beats an automatic one.
