Writing your LinkedIn summary can seem like a tedious task, but it is a necessary one for anyone who cares about networking and wants to have a professional resume online. Indeed, anyone from freelancers to business owners will benefit from having a LinkedIn account.
That being said, having a LinkedIn account is part of the job – you should also maintain it properly, and a key element of this maintenance is writing a good LinkedIn summary that will help you rank high in search results and attract prospective employers. Hence, here's everything you need to know about how to write your LinkedIn bio like a pro, including some LinkedIn summary examples, resume summary examples, and LinkedIn profile examples to inspire your own professional summary.
Before getting into the tips themselves, it's worth mentioning some basics about LinkedIn that you may not be familiar with. Try to keep your profile summary under 2,000 characters and definitely upload a profile picture to let other LinkedIn users see what you look like. Format your texts with bullet points to let hiring managers skim through your profile and go through your work experience, summary statement, and so on. A well-crafted LinkedIn profile summary serves as your digital first impression, so it's crucial to get it right.
First and foremost, you need to write about what motivates you in your LinkedIn bio. As you start filling out your about section, you will mostly focus on your current position and your professional experience, both of which would go in your experience section. You will probably be writing about your key skills and education, but another thing you should do is write about what motivates and inspires you when it comes to the work you do and the role you play in your company (and beyond it). When recruiters search for candidates on social media like LinkedIn, they will find your profile if it stands out – and this is exactly what will help you create a strong LinkedIn profile summary. Looking at various LinkedIn bio examples can give you ideas on how to structure your own compelling narrative.
Business owners and remote workers alike will benefit from explaining what drives them to do what they are doing – and it doesn't matter whether it is some grand, ambitious plan or just pure love for hard work (whether mental or physical). Even if you just do your job because it lets you earn money, you can still word it in a way to show that you need this money to sustain your family and do your hobbies. This personal touch can make your LinkedIn summary more compelling and help you establish your personal brand.
Speaking of your job, it's great if you focus on your professional strengths and experience, but you should also focus on your successes or your professional accomplishments. Even if you have experienced failure time and again, you definitely have something successful you could talk about – and that's exactly what you should do in your LinkedIn summary. Whether it's successful project management initiatives, showcasing your technical skills, or highlighting your analytical skills, these achievements demonstrate your value to potential employers or clients.
Remember that these achievements are the writings on a blank paper – and this blank paper is you. You can't change yourself completely, so you need to focus on what you have already, especially if you feel like there are many mistakes on this paper that is you. You need to be thinking "How can I rewrite my paper in a way that will make it better?" instead of "How can I write a completely different paper because I hate this one?" This approach will help you create a powerful LinkedIn summary that showcases your value proposition and career achievements.
The wording is by far one of the most important things to remember when writing your LinkedIn summary. You need to be using the right HR vocabulary to signal correct messages to your readers. Likewise, if you use words that are considered red flags, you could end up scaring away potential employers or partners. Consider using a LinkedIn summary template to ensure you're hitting all the right notes and including essential information.
Aim to eliminate most or all jargon, but still try to write the way you would speak as a person. Focus on your first sentence to make the most impact, almost like an elevator pitch for your professional self, but also make your last sentence count. And, of course, format everything in a way that will look good and flow smoothly. This is where your communication skills and soft skills come into play, helping you craft a compelling LinkedIn summary that serves as your professional introduction and attracts talent acquisition specialists.
As mentioned earlier, you will need to focus a lot on your past and present. You will need to think about your industry experience and achievements and translate that into the kind of professional you are today. However, focusing on your past is not the only thing you should do – you must also think about your future and write about it in your LinkedIn bio. This is especially important if you are currently on a job search or considering a career change.
You could have been lazy about some things at work and still be really good at it. However, you should still remember that your investments in your professional development today will influence your future. Write about your career goals and how you are working towards them as well as the job titles you have in mind. This forward-thinking approach demonstrates your strategic thinking and commitment to growth. Mention any business strategy or operational efficiency improvements you've implemented or plan to pursue, as these showcase your ability to drive organizational success.
Last but not least, you need to talk about your life outside of work in your LinkedIn summary. Some things you do – like using the same voice to write the summary as you do while speaking and writing about what motivates you – help humanize you as a worker or business owner. But when you talk about your life outside of work, you seem even more like a real human being.
For example, for remote employees, productivity while working at home can often depend on how well they feel when they aren't working. A hobby is usually a solution in this case, and so, it could be a solution for you too. Spending time with your family, painting, or even gardening in your yard can all be included in your LinkedIn bio to show what kind of person you are outside of work. This personal touch can make your LinkedIn summary more engaging and memorable. It's also an opportunity to highlight any transferable skills you've gained from your hobbies or volunteer work that could be relevant to your professional life.
To complement your LinkedIn profile, many professionals also use a LinkedIn resume builder to craft visually appealing, ATS-friendly resumes that align with their online presence. If you are still unsure about how to write a LinkedIn summary you will be satisfied with, consider getting some career advice from an expert who will explain to you what you should keep in mind as a job seeker or as a working specialist in your respective field. Remember, your LinkedIn summary is your chance to make a strong first impression and showcase your professional identity, so take the time to craft a compelling narrative that highlights your unique value.
Your LinkedIn summary should be a concise yet comprehensive representation of your professional background, work history, and career story. It should reflect your professional qualifications and industry knowledge while also giving a glimpse into your personality. By following these tips and studying various LinkedIn profile examples, you can create a summary that not only captures attention but also effectively communicates your professional journey and aspirations.
About Author:
Frank Hamilton has been working as an editor at an essay review service, where you can find professionals if you think you need to pay someone to write your paper. He is a professional writing expert in such topics as blogging, digital marketing, and self-education. He also loves traveling and speaks Spanish, French, German, and English.