Crafting the Perfect LinkedIn Summary: Tips and Examples

Crafting a Winning LinkedIn Summary (With Examples)

Whether you're seriously pursuing new job opportunities or simply aiming to strengthen your professional image, you've likely heard about the importance of having a LinkedIn profile. Consider it a blend of a social network and a dynamic resume – a space where you can showcase your abilities and achievements while connecting with coworkers, industry experts, mentors, and recruiters.

As you build or refine your LinkedIn profile, some sections are quite straightforward. Information like your education, work history, and skills can easily be adapted from your existing resume. However, the "About" section, often called the LinkedIn summary, presents a blank canvas where you can share anything you want about yourself. This can be daunting.

Fortunately, you don't have to feel stuck staring at that cursor, wondering how to create a compelling LinkedIn summary. Here are some guidelines and examples to help you get started.

What Exactly Is a LinkedIn Summary?

Your LinkedIn summary, or "About" section (they're the same), is located near the top of your profile. Its primary function is to serve as an introduction to anyone viewing your profile.

It's one of the most adaptable areas on your LinkedIn page. LinkedIn suggests using this space to describe your experience, industry knowledge, or skills. You could also discuss your accomplishments or previous roles.

There aren't strict rules, aside from the 2,600-character limit. You could technically include almost anything in this section (though that’s not necessarily recommended).

Generally, think of your LinkedIn summary as your elevator pitch. It's where you highlight the skills, qualities, and experiences that you want people to remember, even if they don't explore the rest of your profile.

Why is Your LinkedIn Summary Important?

While completing your LinkedIn summary isn't mandatory, many people choose to let their work experience, education, and skills sections speak for themselves. However, dedicating time and effort to crafting this section offers several benefits:

• Highlight Key Information: The "About" section is prominently displayed, ensuring that your most impressive skills and accomplishments are immediately visible.
• Create a Cohesive Narrative: While bullet points and structured sections are organized, they can sometimes make your career seem fragmented. Your summary provides space to add a personal touch and connect the different stages of your career.
• Improve Search Visibility: LinkedIn's search algorithm likely considers your summary when users, including recruiters, search for candidates with specific skills. By strategically incorporating keywords, you can increase your profile's visibility in search results.

A well-crafted summary enhances your overall profile and demonstrates your commitment to presenting yourself professionally.

Is Your LinkedIn Summary the Same as Your LinkedIn Headline?

The answer is no. Your LinkedIn headline is the brief line of text that appears directly beneath your name at the top of your profile. It's much shorter than your summary, with a character limit of only 220.

Think of it this way: at a networking event:

• Headline: The job title on your name tag.
• Summary: Your response to "What do you do?" or "Tell me about yourself."

How to Update Your LinkedIn Summary

Adding or updating your LinkedIn summary is straightforward:

1. Go to your profile.
2. Scroll to the "About" section.
3. Click the pencil icon in the upper right corner.
4. Edit or add your information.
5. Click the "Save" button.

Your updated summary will now be visible on your LinkedIn profile.

How to Write a LinkedIn Summary: Examples to Inspire You

There's no single "correct" way to write a LinkedIn summary. Some people use humor, while others use emojis. Some write in the third person, treating it as a formal introduction.

It's a flexible space, and the best approach depends on factors like:

• Your Goals: Are you seeking a new job, aiming to establish yourself as a thought leader, or expanding your network? Your objective will influence the content of your summary.
• Your Personal Brand: Do you want to be known as witty and sarcastic, supportive and encouraging, or insightful and thought-provoking? Defining your desired image will guide you in writing a summary that reflects your identity.

Consider these factors before you begin writing.

Here are some LinkedIn summary examples and explanations of how they use specific best practices.

Highlight Your Career Achievements

David, the Founder and CEO of Minova, effectively communicates his career experiences and accomplishments – from his background in architecture to his passion for career advancement.

He also quantifies his achievements, which is effective on LinkedIn. David includes numbers like:

• 20+ years of experience
• Growing Minova to over 60,000 users
• Growing CASE to a team of 63
• Selling over 2 million square feet of space per month

These figures provide concrete evidence of David's ability to deliver impressive results.

Next Steps: List the experiences and accomplishments that are most important to your career story, and then quantify them whenever possible. Incorporate these details into your LinkedIn summary.

Present a Complete Picture

Lia, Head of Brand & Content Marketing at Minova, uses a concise summary that incorporates many of the best practices already mentioned, such as highlighting skills and including keywords.

Lia's summary also mentions the newsletter and online community she manages.

Your LinkedIn summary provides space to discuss other interests and passions outside of your education and day job. This gives people a more complete view of you as a professional and as a person.

Next Steps: Your LinkedIn summary doesn't have to read like a formal biography. Think about other interesting or impressive aspects of yourself and see if you can weave them into your summary naturally, as Lia did.

Showcase Your Personality

As a professional writer, I'm known for my conversational and approachable style, which I wanted to incorporate into my summary, along with some humor.

I wanted to keep my summary friendly and lighthearted, while also conveying valuable information. I balanced the humor with straightforward details about my experiences and accomplishments.

Next Steps: Humor might not be appropriate for every goal or industry. However, consider ways to inject your unique personality into your summary. This could involve using a warm and encouraging tone or sharing a surprising fact to grab attention.

Don't Underestimate Your Summary

Creating your LinkedIn summary can seem overwhelming, making it tempting to rush through it, copy and paste your cover letter, or leave it blank.

However, your summary can be one of the most compelling and impactful parts of your LinkedIn profile if you invest time and effort.

Use these tips and examples as a guide when working on your own summary. It might take some time to create something you're happy with, but it's well worth the effort.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the key elements to include in a LinkedIn summary?

A great LinkedIn summary should briefly introduce you professionally, highlight your key skills and experiences, share your career goals, and add a personal touch. It's also helpful to include relevant keywords to improve search visibility.

How long should my LinkedIn summary be?

Keep your LinkedIn summary concise yet informative, aiming for 3 to 5 short paragraphs or around 200 to 300 words. This length allows you to convey your professional identity and value without overwhelming the reader.

Can I use first-person voice in my LinkedIn summary?

Yes, using the first person is recommended for LinkedIn summaries. It helps create a personal connection and makes your summary feel more authentic. Use "I" statements to directly reflect your experiences and aspirations.