The Dos and Don’ts of Writing a LinkedIn Summary

The Dos and Don’ts of Writing a LinkedIn Summary

Whether you’re a recent graduate, re-entering the job market, or just looking for ways to stay connected and open to opportunities, your LinkedIn profile is a pivotal tool. A well-crafted LinkedIn summary—or About section—will make you stand out from the multi-million-person-plus LinkedIn crowd. Here’s how to write a standout profile summary that effectively communicates the volume and caliber of your experience to potential employers.

Do Make Sure Your Summary is Unique

Your summary should show a multi-dimensional portrait that uniquely reflects you and your career history, rather than simply reciting a laundry list of job duties from your current and/or past positions.

Do Include Keywords

It’s important to incorporate relevant keywords that illustrate your professional strengths. In addition to including role-specific keywords, try to weave in industry buzzwords, as well as any unique skills that distinguish you from other jobseekers.

Do Highlight Any Relevant Education

If you went to college, graduate school, or suffered through any trade-oriented technical school, put that information in your summary. This can be done in a single sentence. Keep it brief but make sure it counts.

Do Focus on Results

Rather than simply summarizing job duties, emphasize the accomplishments gained as a result of your positions. Focus on outcomes as opposed to labor-intensive tasks; clients or colleagues your work affected; and any noteworthy results.

Do Incorporate a Call to Action

Your summary should leave room for potential employers to take action. Whether you are currently available to take on new clients or would like to connect with others at their organization, profile viewers should leave with a no-brainer opportunity to engage with you.

Don’t Forget the Basics

Make sure you spend some time to craft an accurate headline that communicates your job title, industry and specialties. This is a fantastic opportunity to work some of those relevant keywords you uncovered earlier into the equation.

Don’t Set Buried Links

You have the freedom to link website, social media accounts and any career milestones you deem noteworthy. Don’t forget these, but be aware: LinkedIn is smart enough to hide links placed within the body of your profile. Instead, anchor the link using plausible text that accurately describes the hyperlinked document or web-page in question.

Don’t Expose Personal Data

Your summary is all about communicating what you bring to the professional table. This isn’t the right spot to talk about your family, religious beliefs, or any other aspect of your personal life.

Don’t Overshare Your Experience

When creating a resume and cover letter, a detailed account of your job history may be necessary. Your LinkedIn summary, however, shouldn’t offer more than two or three supported bullet points of key career achievements.

Don’t Make it a List of Proficiencies

Words like “organized,” “meticulous,” and “innovative” are necessary for marketing success, but relying too heavily on descriptors like these can often be counterproductive. Instead, try to communicate job milestones, process-driven successes, and other key achievements that would give prospects a better understanding of what kind of professional you are.

Why a LinkedIn Profile Summary is Valuable

Your LinkedIn summary is meant to give readers a snapshot of your professional life in a concise, straightforward fashion. It will appear at the top of your profile—an introductory space for viewers to get a feel for what drives and motivates you. Whether you’ve been in the job market for 40+ years or are a new college graduate, a well-crafted, accurate, and honest summary will make all the difference in giving potential employers the right impression.

Here are Some Tips to Keep in Mind when Writing Your LinkedIn Summary:

• Include a blend of keywords to best represent you and your skill-set

• Describe results-driven accomplishments earned at previous positions

• Emphasize any relevant education qualifications

• Create an accurate headline that showcases your job title, industry and specialties

• Link to pertinent documents or websites

• Don’t include unnecessary personal information

• Keep your summary brief, as anything more than three bullet points may be too much

• Refrain from using words that are too abstract

By following these tips and focusing on results, you should have no problem crafting a succinct, powerful and engaging LinkedIn summary that captivates your audience.

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