Tips for how to write a LinkedIn summary and examples

Searching for a job today looks very different than it did 20 years ago. Applicants used to deliver a paper application or resume to the workplace. Usually, they handed the document to the owner or manager as their application.

Professional platforms like LinkedIn have changed this process. They allow employers to scout out prospective employees before actually meeting them. For this reason, it’s essential to know how to write a LinkedIn summary that impresses recruiters.

A LinkedIn summary is the “About” section. It’s where you capture your professional biography, accomplishments, or anything else you want someone seeing your profile to know. You’ll often see people refer to it as your profile’s bio. 

LinkedIn is a social media platform for businesses and professionals. It boasts a vast network of employment opportunities. It’s a great place for job seekers to pursue new contacts, research a field, and find open positions. A summary is one of the first things visitors to your profile read. That’s all the more reason to make it stand out. 

Six people get hired on LinkedIn every minute — and you could be next.

Why your LinkedIn summary matters

A recruiter first sees your profile’s “Headline.” It’s the text following your name that captures your title, industry, and expertise in a short statement. Depending on their industry and personal brand, some people add an emoji or two. The writing is visible when your profile populates LinkedIn search results and before someone clicks on your profile.

If your “Headline” draws a recruiter into your profile, they’ll next look at your summary to learn more about you. A good LinkedIn summary stops a potential employer in their tracks. They want to learn about the person who wrote the engaging summary.

This is why it’s important for your LinkedIn profile to be dialed in. It’s an opportunity to give a compelling first impression. A complete profile includes all the information you would have on a resume to stand out. It outlines previous employers, job descriptions, areas of expertise, education, and marketable skill sets. It can also capture big accomplishments, impactful projects, or other impressive professional experiences.

But your skills and experience are only a part of what employers consider. Your profile’s “About” section is the perfect place to describe what personality traits make you unique. Focus on documenting what unique qualities you bring to the table. Additionally, outline a handful of tangible business outcomes that your skill set will help a company achieve. If you have any data to back up these statements, add them as well. This technique can make your profile memorable and help you land that dream job.

What should be in a LinkedIn bio

Think of your LinkedIn summary as a cover letter for any recruiter or hiring manager who finds your page. The blurb should encourage employers to explore your profile further. 

LinkedIn summaries have a maximum of 2,600 characters, so don’t include every detail about your professional history and education. Use the space to present a bite-size introduction to who you are. You can also utilize the section’s white space to make your summary skimmable. Remember, you’re not aiming to document every element of your work experience. Only focus on relevant information for the new job you want.

An excellent LinkedIn summary should include the following:

• Expertise. Remember, in this brief “About” section, you’re trying to sell yourself and your skills. Ensure that anyone reading your profile gets an immediate understanding of your expertise. Don’t dive into all the details, but include a concise list of 3–5 key traits that represent who you are as a professional. You can even list them in a subsection of your bio that lists “Top skills.” This section is segmented into its own box, so it stands out to someone skimming your profile. Try to include industry buzzwords. For example, list which coding languages you’re proficient in if you’re a software engineer.
• Prior experience. Your comprehensive experience lives elsewhere in your profile. A LinkedIn profile summary is a snapshot of all the skills and knowledge you have to offer. But if you can squeeze in a few words about your proven track record in a particular field or notable companies you worked at, it may entice an employer to keep reading. If you’re a recent graduate, add details from internships or extracurriculars.
• Contact information. Provide a safe and professional means of contacting you, such as a secure personal or business email address. It’s important that you use the same email address across your cover letter, resume, and LinkedIn profile. Alternatively, a recruiter could contact you via direct message on LinkedIn. Remember to pay close attention to both inboxes.

How to write a good summary on LinkedIn

Your summary should tell recruiters that you’re an interesting, capable, and reliable professional who would be a great addition to their team. Here are some tips for writing the perfect LinkedIn summary:

• Hook them with your introduction. Don’t waste the first sentence. Starting the summary with “My name is…” makes your profile blend in. Begin with an attention-grabbing statement about yourself, your experience, or your professional values.
• Talk yourself up. You’re on LinkedIn to impress business contacts. Your summary should reflect the pride you have in your achievements. It should also highlight your best work and skills. Define what success means to you and how you’ve wowed past employers.
• Use keywords. Include keywords that are relevant to what employers in your field search for. Pepper in the industry- and role-specific buzzwords, such as “editing” or “copywriter,” to leverage the platform’s search engine optimization (SEO) and help your profile appear in more LinkedIn search results.
• Show some personality. Make sure your uniqueness shines through in your summary while remaining professional. Include a unique fact about your life or career, and allow your voice to shine through the writing. LinkedIn is the perfect place to capture your personal brand.

LinkedIn summary examples

Understanding what it takes to create a stellar LinkedIn summary is easier with examples. Bear in mind that these examples come from real LinkedIn profiles. So you shouldn’t copy and paste them. Instead, use these examples to guide you as you create your unique and eye-catching blurb.

Career coach

The summary below makes good use of the 2,600 characters, packing a lot of information into a short space. Remember that not all LinkedIn “About” sections need to be this long, but don’t shy away from using all the characters you need.

Pay attention to how the coach introduces themself, then jumps straight into a list of unique attributes. They identify which qualities and interests make them unique. Recruiters know right away what sets them apart from other STEM coaches and how to get in touch.

“With almost 20 years of experience in STEM-related fields, I bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to my coaching clients. Those I’ve coached and those who know me would tell you that I’m:

• Compassionate: I care about the people with whom I work. We all need a helping hand every now and again, and I strive to provide that to all who seek my assistance.
• Empowering: I want my clients to come out of our sessions feeling like they can take on the world. An important part of my practice is to make sure clients recognize the progress they’re making and take the time to celebrate it.

Over the course of my professional life, I have partnered with experts in a variety of STEM industries to help them through difficult times in their private and work lives. I have coached over 100 individuals, many of whom have gone on to be significant leaders in and contributors to their fields.

Some areas that I specialize in are:

• Escaping toxic work environments. I can help you figure out how to exit a current role or workplace that is damaging to your well-being, as well as help you get back some of the confidence and excitement that a toxic environment tends to smother.
• Getting back to work. Perhaps you’ve taken time off to start a family or take care of an ailing relative, but now you’re ready to get back into the workplace. I’ll help you understand the nuances of finding employment in the 21st century and make sure your specialties are recognized by potential employers.
• Leadership. Many who pursue STEM-related fields are scientists and researchers who are happy to be tucked away in a lab, investigating the mysteries of the universe. But it’s important to be able to communicate discoveries to the public and communicate requirements to your staff.

I provide leadership training for those in science and technology fields who may be uncomfortable with their position of authority.

For further information and client testimonials, please see my website: [website URL].”

This example is long, totaling just under 2,000 characters. The use of bulleted lists and bolded text helps make it skimmable. But depending on your industry and professional experience, it might be beneficial to write a more succinct summary like this second example. 

Human resources manager

This profile summary is a strong example of a quick and concise summary. It is a rundown of this person’s experience and values without a bullet-point list of expertise. Some positions don’t need you to explain everything you can do. The recruiter may already have a solid grasp of the basic qualifications for your job title. 

In this example, the prospective employee focuses on proving why they’re the best candidate.

“Running a Human Resources department has led me to focus on the first part of that term: humans. I never make the mistake of thinking of employees as cogs in a machine.

I’m engaged in connecting with each of the employees or managers who come through my door and seek to treat each of their questions and concerns with respect and politeness. I firmly believe that the best way to produce long-lasting business relationships, be they with clients, employees, or bosses, is to make genuine connections with people.

I have over 15 years of experience in HR and have worked in all aspects of the field. I have professional qualifications in Management Studies and am a member of the Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM). The SHRM considers itself the “voice for all things work,” and I represent that in my workplace.

If you’re looking for a kind, conscientious, professional Human Resources manager, please feel free to get in touch at [email address].”

More ways to stand out on LinkedIn

Once you’ve drafted a summary describing your skills, personality, and experience, it’s time to shine. Follow these suggestions to further grab readers’ attention:

• Be conversational. Professional doesn’t mean rigid or stilted. Write in the first person and keep your summary conversational. Imagine you’re introducing yourself at the beginning of an interview. Making a personal connection is often the beginning of creating a professional one.
• Focus on clarity. A summary that is easy to read will keep a recruiter engaged. If a reader gets to the end of your bio and feels confused about what you offer, it’s not doing its job. Have a friend or colleague read your summary to ensure it’s straightforward but detailed. 
• Be organized. When a recruiter reads your “About” section, there should be a clear narrative. It begins with a personal introduction. Relevant work experiences and accomplishments follow. Conclude with a clear and concise sentence to wrap up everything you’ve written so far. Your summary is easier to read when it’s organized intuitively and polished. 
• Touch on motivations and expectations. Offer recruiters a brief window into why you’re following this career path and what you expect to gain from it. If your reasons and expectations match an employer’s, you’re one step closer to securing a position.
• Authenticity. Recruiters want to learn about your professional experience as well as your personality. Your LinkedIn profile can capture what you care about and how it contributes to who you are. 
• Networking and engagement. LinkedIn is a great place to connect with other people in your industry. Try engaging with their posts so you can learn from their experiences. It’s also a great platform to share your professional insights. 
• Don’t forget to revise. As your skills and knowledge evolve, change your LinkedIn profile. Add new certifications or work accomplishments, such as leadership awards or acknowledgments in a trade publication. Ensure your profile is current, even if you’re not looking for a new role. 

Be confident in your professional value

A LinkedIn “About” is where you can talk yourself up to employers before sitting in an interview. You can use that space to describe your skills, personality, and ambitions. And do so without the stress of on-the-spot answers. 

Knowing how to write an outstanding LinkedIn summary will give you the leg up you need to land your next job. Be confident in your experience and skill set. Sometimes, leaning on the guidance of a professional career coach can help. If you think coaching is the right answer for you, don’t hesitate to pursue it. The next amazing stage in your career is right around the corner.