How To Write a Great LinkedIn Summary
Ah, LinkedIn. What would the professional experience be without it?
However, it can be difficult to get started – especially if you’re set to graduate soon or have been freshly released into the working world.
That’s why our team has pulled together some Linkedin summary examples, hints, and tips to make sure you make a splash in all the right ways, catching the attention of potential employers, nabbing job interviews, and landing those career-boosting opportunities.
In this guide, we’ll touch on:
- What a profile summary actually is
- Why it’s so important for your career journey
- What you should be putting on it (and shouldn’t)
- How Timberseed can help with this – and more!
So whether you’re a Linkedin Pro or just need a little help in sprucing up the ol’ bio, we’ll give you the tools you need to make sure yours is the best it can be.
Trust us. It’s kind of our thing.
What is a profile summary?
Essentially, if your LinkedIn Profile is one big electronic CV, then your LinkedIn Summary is your cover letter.
While we’ve been back and forth on the topic – you can read our insights on cover letters here – on professional networking sites, you can use this section to shout loud and proud about your biggest achievements.
This might include your academic prowess, successful projects, and leadership strengths in addition to your professional goals, and what you’re looking for in terms of job opportunities.
It’s also a vital chance to explain to potential connections how certain experiences link together, bringing life to your education, background, and other passions that might not be apparent from your digital resume.
But the trick is to be succinct. A LinkedIn summary isn’t the place to pen your magnum opus, in fact, you’ll only have between 300 to 500 words (or 2,000 characters) to make an enticing and inviting post.
We’ll tell you how a little further on in this guide.
Do you need a LinkedIn summary?
A good LinkedIn summary can often be the difference between nabbing job opportunities or fading into a rather saturated sea of profiles.
So using it to your advantage can help you stand out in a competitive job market, especially when prospective employers can only see the first two lines of your summary. You want those opening lines to grab – and hold – their attention, giving them a taste of what a great candidate you are and showing them exactly why you should be shortlisted for an interview.
If you nail it, these summaries do an excellent job of getting into the mind of a recruiter and putting you front and centre when the time comes to select candidates for an interview.
It’s all about getting (good) attention and making people hungry to work with you. These are things you can’t afford to miss out on by under-utilising this aspect of the Linkedin platform.
How To Write A Powerful LinkedIn Summary
Think of your summary being your official intro to Alan Sugar or Deborah Meaden on Dragon’s Den.
It’s all about selling yourself (not too much and certainly not too little) by way of an elevator pitch.
Here, you’ll be able to give your target audience a taste of who you are, what you have done, and where you want to go, putting the spotlight on your charming personality and why you make the perfect candidate for job opportunities in your chosen sector.
So once you’ve logged in, uploaded a lovely photo of yourself (maybe not the one in the club bathroom after two-for-one Jaegers) and started to fill in a bit about your previous experience, you can set to work on your summary.
What to Put in a LinkedIn Summary When You’re Just Starting Out
Spin a story – not a yarn
Although word economy is crucial when crafting a summary, it’s important to make sure you’re actually telling an engaging narrative rather than making a glorified bullet-point list of your past pursuits.
Obviously, don’t wax lyrical or go on pointless tangents, but aim to create ‘hooks’ that entice the reader and give them a proper taste of what you’re like and how passionate you are!
The old adage goes that ‘people buy people’. So get sellin’.
Sprinkle the keywords, but don’t stuff ’em
If you have an idea of the sector you’re looking to work with, you can draw in those particular career experts by using industry-specific keywords wherever possible.
This allows Linkedin’s keyword search feature to correlate ‘links’ between what the recruiter is interested in and actively searching for, leaving digital breadcrumbs straight to your summary.
Be careful not to ‘overstuff’ your work with them, though. Keep your keywords relevant and on topic, which can be done easily within the sections detailing your key skills and experience. For example, the tech industry will be on the lookout for coding knowledge, so make sure to include it!
Break it up!
You remember essay writing? Well, much like your lecturers, no one really wants to read one huge block of text.
Luckily, the joys of modern technology mean that you can make your summary much more readable. Whether that’s through intuitive formatting like shorter sentences and paragraphs (replicating conversational rhythm is a good way to make your writing feel much more, well, you) – as well as bullet points and headers.
You can even get away with using emojis where it makes sense, helping you illustrate points while conserving wordage.
Our favourite is the little pigeon.
FAQs
What is a LinkedIn summary, and why is it important?
A LinkedIn summary serves as the digital equivalent of a cover letter, providing a concise overview of your professional background, achievements, goals, and aspirations. It offers a snapshot of your personality and career trajectory, making it crucial for grabbing the attention of potential employers and networking connections.
Do I need a LinkedIn summary, and how can it benefit my job search?
Yes, having a well-crafted LinkedIn summary can significantly enhance your job search efforts. It helps you stand out in a competitive job market by showcasing your unique strengths and attributes. A compelling summary can pique the interest of recruiters and hiring managers, leading to more job opportunities and networking prospects.
How can I write an effective LinkedIn summary, especially if I’m just starting out?
Writing a powerful LinkedIn summary involves crafting a concise yet engaging narrative that highlights your key skills, experiences, and career aspirations. Focus on storytelling rather than listing achievements, sprinkle relevant keywords to attract industry experts, and break up the text for readability. Additionally, seek professional guidance from experts like Timberseed to tailor your summary to industry standards and maximise its impact.
Want to take that first step?
Or pick up the phone and call us on 020 3030 5045. Whatever your career dream is, we can certainly help to get you there.