The Art Of Writing An Irresistible LinkedIn Summary
If you’re new to LinkedIn, having a well-optimized LinkedIn profile is essential for standing out to potential employers, clients, and networking contacts. One of the most crucial sections to focus on is your LinkedIn Summary. This brief yet impactful section serves as your virtual elevator pitch, providing a snapshot of your professional identity.
To help you maximize your LinkedIn profile, here's a comprehensive guide on optimizing the Summary section for maximum impact.
1. Craft a Compelling Opening
LinkedIn is a social media platform so using your Summary's opening lines as the hook that captures your reader's attention is crucial. Begin with a concise and attention-grabbing introduction that highlights your unique value proposition. Use strong action verbs and keywords related to your industry or field. Think of this as your chance to make a memorable first impression. If you don’t grab the reader's attention in the first few lines, you’ve lost them.
2. Showcase Your Professional Identity
Now, in terms of basics, you do want to clearly state your current role, career goals, and expertise. For optimization, use specific keywords and phrases relevant to your industry to make your profile more searchable. You can also optimize your headline too. This helps your profile appear in relevant searches when recruiters and hiring managers are looking for candidates with your skills and experience.
3. Highlight Achievements and Impact
As professionals, we need to learn how to be proud of our work and get comfortable bragging about ourselves. The Summary section is your chance to share your significant accomplishments and the impact you've made in your previous roles. For optimization, be sure to use quantifiable metrics whenever possible to demonstrate the value you brought to your employers. This could include percentages of revenue growth, project completion times, or any other relevant data that paints a vivid picture of your contributions.
4. Tell Your Story
The Summary section is the space where you tell your story- your “why”. We know the “what” from your resume- what school you went to, what major you did, what job titles you’ve had etc. But we don't know the challenges you've overcome and how each experience has shaped your expertise. Storytelling adds a personal touch making it more engaging and relatable, which again, as a social media platform, is a great way to attract people to your profile.
5. Showcase Soft or Essential Skills
In addition to technical skills, emphasize your soft or essential skills. With many job seekers having similar technical qualifications, hiring managers are looking beyond your technical fluency. Use your story to highlight qualities like leadership, teamwork, problem-solving, communication, and adaptability. These skills are highly valued by employers and can set you apart from other candidates.
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6. Incorporate Industry Keywords
Optimize your Summary with industry-specific keywords that recruiters and hiring managers might use to search for candidates. These keywords enhance your profile's visibility and make it easier for relevant connections to find you. Just remember to use them naturally and avoid keyword stuffing.
7. Highlight Your Unique Selling Proposition (USP)
If you are a marketer, you know how important it is to have clear USP’s and the value of using these to help differentiate yourself in the marketplace. Well, it’s the same when it comes to your professional brand! Start by identifying what sets you apart from other professionals in your field. Perhaps it's a unique combination of skills, a specialized certification, or a niche expertise. And then, make sure to communicate your USP clearly in your Summary section and even in your headline too.
8. Use a Conversational Tone
LinkedIn is a professional platform, but that doesn't mean your Summary has to be overly formal. It’s not a resume, so write in a conversational tone that reflects your personality while maintaining a level of professionalism. This will help you connect with readers on a more personal level.
9. End with a Call to Action
Whether you are job seeking, pitching new clients as a freelancer or simply networking, you need to tell people what you want them to do next. Close your Summary with a call to action that encourages readers to engage with you further. This could be an invitation to connect, a request for collaboration, or a link to your portfolio or personal website.
10. Regularly Update
Your LinkedIn profile is a dynamic representation of your professional journey. Regularly update your Summary to reflect your latest accomplishments, skills, and goals. This shows that you're active and engaged in your field. For optimization, always be researching and incorporating key terms and industry specific trends into your profile updates. It’s a great way to get found and keep you relevant in the field.
Related:
Why LinkedIn Isn’t Working For You: 4 Mistakes You Might Be Making Right Now
5 Tips To Elevating Your LinkedIn Profile Headline To Get Noticed Fast
Meet The Writer!
Hi! My name is Nadia Ibrahim-Taney and I help people design happy and fulfilling careers through authentic career coaching. My expertise includes career exploration guidance, resume writing, interview prep and LinkedIn profile optimization. My pronouns are She/ Her/ Hers and as a member of the LGBTQ+ community, I focus on how diverse identities impact and influence folks holistically and professionally. Please connect with me on LinkedIn or at Nadia@beyonddiscoverycoaching.com
