If you want to be successful on LinkedIn, you have to do more than just post a profile and hope people notice it.
You need to write a compelling LinkedIn profile summary that will get you noticed.
And writing a good LinkedIn summary is not easy, especially when trying to grab the attention of recruiters or clients in a few words.
How would you do it?
Don’t worry; I’m here to help!
In this post, I’ll share 7 steps for writing the best LinkedIn profile summary.
I’ll also share examples and tips with a few summary templates.
Let’s dive right in!
What is a LinkedIn summary?
A LinkedIn summary section of your LinkedIn profile is an important place to briefly describe your professional history and highlight your skills and achievements.
This is one of the important things potential employers or clients will see when they view your profile, so making a first impression is important.
Why is an exceptional LinkedIn summary important?
As I just said, your summary is the important thing recruiters and hiring managers will see when they view your profile.
A well-crafted and compelling LinkedIn summary can help you stand out and attract potential employers or clients.
Taking the time to do so can pay off in the long run.
So, what makes a strong Linkedin profile summary?
A great LinkedIn profile summary should include a few key components:
Including these elements will make your summary strong and compelling, making clients or hiring managers interested in learning more about you.
But how would you include them?
Here is how!
Step-by-step summary template to Write a LinkedIn Summary
Follow these simple steps and tips while writing your LinkedIn summary:
Step 1: Use keywords wisely to optimize your Linkedin profile summary.
LinkedIn is a search engine, so including the right keywords in your profile summary is essential.
This will help ensure that your profile comes up in relevant searches.
Use relevant keywords throughout your summary (and the rest of your profile). But don’t go overboard – too many keywords make reading difficult.
Step 2: Create a hook in the first few sentences:
A great Linkedin profile summary must be interesting and give a glimpse into your personality.
You can start your Linkedin summary like this:
Start with an idiom/proverb:
Use the first few sentences of your summary to grab attention and give readers an idea of what they can expect from your entire profile.
For example:
“A picture is worth a thousand words.” and that’s what I do! I create and edit images that tell a story.”
Start with an interesting question:
Here is how?
Try brainstorming possibilities, or start by asking yourself an interesting question that will make people want to read.
Asking a question makes you more likely to stand out and get noticed and can also help spark a conversation.
And to make sure your question is interesting and effective, it should be specific and relevant to your target audience.
If you’ve already used a question in your LinkedIn headline, then you should avoid a question and try something else to create a hook!
If you need help deciding what question to ask, with a friend or colleague.
Share an interesting fact about you/Tell a story discussing your professional background:
Talk about the backstory behind choosing a specific career path and the turning point in your professional career.
You can share any incident or an inspiring story to hook your readers.
For example,
I started video editing as a way to procrastinate from my actual job. I’m good at it, and now I make a living online doing it! The best part is that I can work from home.
Quote someone you admire
You can also start your Linkedin bio with a quote from someone you admire. This will add credibility to your profile and make you stand out.
Here are a few tips to find and use quotes from people you admire:
- First, take some time to think about who your role models are and why you admire them. What qualities do they possess that you would like to emulate?
- Once you have identified a few people whose quotes would be most impactful, start searching for their quotations online. A quick Google search should bring up several results.
- Be selective in your quotes; opt for those relevant to your professional brand that will resonate with your target audience.
- Finally, remember to attribute the quote properly!
For example:
Here I included the name of the author with a quote:
Start with exciting numbers:
For example: “Do you want to get more than 1000 social media followers within a month?”
For example: With more than 2 million Instagram and Twitter followers, I’m here to positively influence your company’s image and brand.
Step 3: Highlight your Unique selling point with the most relevant skills and accomplishments.
Here’s how to do it:
Highlight your unique selling point
The best way to do this is to focus on why you’re different from others in your field. What are the unique skills and experiences that you bring to the table?
You can do it by answering these questions in your summary.
Be sure to highlight what makes you unique so potential employers can see how you can add value to their organizations.
For example:
You’re a freelance video editor.
- What videos do you specialize in?
- What kind of editing software do you use?
- How fast can you complete a project?
- What can you do better than other video editors?
- What makes you different from all the other freelance video editors out there?
Don’t be afraid to list your accomplishments, awards, or anything else that makes you stand out.
Again, highlighting these things in your summary will help you stand out from the crowd.
For example: If I say I was awarded as the best copywriter of my agency or I participated in and won first prize in 2 creative writing contests.
Doesn’t it sound impressive?
Doesn’t it make me sound expert without using the word EXPERT?
Use numbers to highlight your work achievements.
It’s important to present yourself as a competent professional instead of a perfectionist.
If you want your work achievements to stand out, using numbers is a great way to do it.
When you can back up your claims with hard data, it makes a much stronger impression than simply saying that you did something well.
Be sure to include specific numbers to drive home how great you are at what you do.
For example, instead of saying, “I’m an expert in social media marketing,” you could say,
“I’ve helped X number of businesses grow their online presence through social media.” You’ll likely attract potential employers and clients by showcasing your successes.
Here are few more examples:
- “Managed a team of 10 writers who produced 100 articles per month.”
- “Managed a team of 12 designers who produced XYZ project” or “Grew XYZ company’s social media following by 20%”.
- “I have helped X number of clients improve their online presence.”
Mention the names if you have worked with any reputable brands, companies, or clients
Mention any impressive brands, companies, or clients you’ve worked with. Try using keywords relevant to your interested positions to stand out.
For example: “Recently completed 6 months internship at XYZ company.”
Mention your specific clients or their profession
Mention the specific clients or industries you have experience with.
You can also add your academic excellence or qualifications to ensure potential employers or clients notice.
Here’s how:
First, highlight any relevant academic accomplishments in your profile summary.
For example, if you’re a lawyer, mention that you graduated from XYZ Law School.
Highlight any relevant skills or any technical skills you have
You should highlight relevant skills, certifications, technical skills, and software programs in which you’re proficient.
Step 3: Tailor it to appeal to your target audience.
Think about who you want to attract with your Linkedin summary.
Is it potential employers, clients, or networking contacts?
Here is how you can do it:
Highlight a problem that you can solve for your clients/customers in your LinkedIn summary
First, consider what problem you can solve for your clients or customers.
What are their pain points?
Highlighting how you can help them overcome these challenges is a great way to get noticed.
Here is another one:
Use more familiar words like ” I,” ” you,” and “we” while addressing your readers.
First, use familiar words like “you” and “we.” This will make your readers feel more comfortable.
After all, time is money, and we all want to save it from focusing on the most important things.
Here is another example: “I am passionate about social media and love helping businesses grow their online presence. If you want someone to help grow your brand on social media, I am the person for you!
How does it help?
Let’s say I’m struggling to edit my videos and want to hire a freelance video editor.
When I come across any LinkedIn profile with the question: Are you looking for a freelance video editor?
I’d feel like someone is addressing me only!
I would be more inclined to read it further. And if I find something like “Recently completed editing interactive video course for XYZ company within a month.”
It’ll impress me more!
And if I find a line saying you will also get videos with English subtitles, I may also cry with happiness.
Focus on the positive when writing your summary.
Recruiters are looking for candidates who are upbeat and enthusiastic about their work – so make sure that comes across in your writing!
Use words like ‘I help’ instead of vague phrases like ‘I offer these services.’
Write in the first person and use active verbs.
For example: “I help businesses increase their online visibility” or “I have a proven track record of increasing sales.”
For example, instead of saying, “I’m a freelance writer,” say, “I help businesses connect with their customers through compelling content.
Talk about the procedure or style of your work to show how efficiently you handle work.
For example: Here is how I handle each blog post:
I start with keyword research that will help me find what my potential customers are looking for.
Then, I create a list of questions to ask them before starting a project. This helps me understand what they actually want to know and how to best deliver it to them.
Lastly, I create high-quality SEO-optimized content that addresses their needs. And I am always open to feedback to improve my methods continuously.
Add some humor and personality to your profile.
Remember, LinkedIn is not Facebook.
However, you can still add some human touch to it.
Your summary should be something other than a list of your job title or responsibilities.
You can share your interests and hobbies.
What are you passionate about?
What are some of your favorite things to do outside of work?
You don’t need to get too personal, but adding some color definitely works!
How does it help:
If I’m looking for a new employee and I see that someone shares the same interests as me, this may be a plus point for them.
Or your interest or hobbies may also be the job’s requirement.
Let’s assume I want to hire a content manager with exceptional communication skills to handle customers.
And if someone mentions it exactly their your profile, that person will be my IDEAL CANDIDATE.
Here are a few examples:
You can also explain how these interests and hobbies help you professionally.
For example, if you enjoy networking and building relationships, explain how that helps you in your job as a salesperson. Or, if you love research and writing, mention how those skills come in handy when creating marketing content.
By sharing your passions and explaining how they benefit your career, you’ll give potential connections or employers a well-rounded picture of who you are – and why they should hire you.
Step 5: Include a call to action at the end of your summary, urging the reader to learn more about you.
Include a call to action, such as inviting readers to connect with you or visit your website.
For example: Let’s connect. Please visit my website to learn more about my work. I’m always happy to chat about design, front-end development, and accessibility.
For example: If you’re interested in staying up-to-date with my latest articles, follow me on Medium. You can also find more of my work on my website. Thanks for reading!
You can also leave your:
- Email address
- Website address
- Skype ID or contact details
- link to your portfolio or online gallery
Step 6: Keep it short, sweet, and easy to read
Use small and easily skimmable paragraphs.
If you want your writing to be easily skimmable, use small paragraphs. This means breaking up your text into shorter chunks that are easier for readers to scan.
You can do this by using subheadings, lists, and short sentences.
Keep in mind that readability is more important than length, so don’t worry if your paragraphs are on the shorter side.
Highlight your skills, achievements, and services in a bullet list.
Is the only way to write a LinkedIn profile summary by including your skills, experiences, and services in one big paragraph?
No. It’ll make your summary boring and hard to read.
There are more effective ways to make it easy to read.
And a simple way to do this is by creating a bullet list of your skills, achievements, and services.
This will allow potential employers or clients to see what you have to offer at a glance without having to read through a large block of text.
This is completely optional!
But breaking them down into bullet points will be a great idea if you want to highlight so many skills, achievements, and services.
Use natural language, phrases, and slang that you actually use.
This is your opportunity to show off your personality and let people know what they can expect when they work with you.
Remember, keywords are important, but using language that sounds like you is even more important.
Instead, use language that you would actually use in conversation. This will make you sound more relatable and approachable.
Don’t use abbreviations or acronyms.
Avoid including fake information, achievements, and unnecessary show-off.
Including fake information, achievements, and unnecessary show-offs in your Linkedin summary is a big mistake.
It’ll not only make you look bad, but it could also get you into trouble if the employer decides to check up on your claims.
You definitely don’t like to land in a terrible situation like this:
Stick to the truth and focus on highlighting your real accomplishments instead.
Use proper grammar and punctuation, and proofread before posting it.
Keep in mind that potential employers will be reading it.
So, make sure it is error-free and professional sounding.
Make sure to use proper grammar and punctuation, and proofread before posting it.
Step 7: Keep it updated.
Regularly update your profile to reflect your current skills, experience, and accomplishments.
This will ensure that potential employers always have the most accurate information about you and your career.
Always keep a professional look when you share your LinkedIn profile.
Remember to advertise yourself as a professional when you update your profile.
So, always keep a professional look when you share your profile.
LinkedIn summary examples for job seekers:
1. Example:
Do you need help with your logo, business cards, or website?
I’m a freelance graphic designer, and I help businesses create a strong and consistent brand identity. Your brand is one of your most important assets, and I work hard to help you create a design that reflects your values and speaks to your target audience.
I’ve over 10 years of experience in graphic design, and I’ve worked with clients from small businesses to large corporations. No matter your budget, I can help you create a professional and eye-catching design that will make a lasting impression on your customers.
I’d love to chat with you about your project!
Please don’t hesitate to send me a message if you want to know more about my services or have any questions about branding or marketing,
2. Example:
Hi, I’m John, and I love to travel. I’ve been to some amazing places and seen incredible things, but there’s always something new to discover. I’m always looking for new experiences and new adventures.
I think that’s what makes me a good travel writer. I can capture the essence of a place and its people. I can tell a story that will make you want to see it yourself. And I can do it in a way that is both entertaining and informative.
So if you’re looking for someone to write about your next travel destination, I’m your man. Let me take you on a journey that you’ll never forget.
3. Example:
I have a knack for social media and have grown my Twitter and Instagram following to 2 million followers. I’m a freelance social media manager and have worked with big brands like XYZ and XYZ. I’m creative and strategic in my approach to social media and always looking for new ways to engage my followers. I am passionate about social media and love helping businesses grow their online presence.
I recently completed the following:
- XYZ online course
- Won XYZ competition
I offer services like:
- Social media writing
- Creating and managing a LinkedIn business page
- Creating and managing the Instagram page
- Creating and managing a Facebook page
- Creating Pinterest Pins
If you want someone to help grow your brand on social media, I am the person for you!
4. Example:
I have been a freelance voiceover artist for the past 5 years. I have lent my voice to a variety of projects, including:
- corporate videos
- e-learning modules
- explainer videos.
I have a versatile range and can easily adapt my tone and style to suit the project’s needs. I am reliable, professional, and take direction well.
You can reach out to me at XYZ@gmail.com.
I know:
You can only include some tips in your profile. Still, I divided them into 7 steps to help you choose the best suitable options for your LinkedIn summary.
By customizing your summary to fit your individual experiences and goals, you can stand out from the crowd and attract the attention of potential employers. So take the time to craft an effective LinkedIn summary, and you’ll be on your way to LinkedIn success.
