Linkedin summary biography

Writing a LinkedIn summary is one of those tasks that sounds easy until you try to do it. Should you recount your prior roles? List your accomplishments? Write in first-person or third?

(The answer to that question is no, but don’t worry — you’ll soon have a LinkedIn summary you’ll be proud to publish.)

In this blog post, I’ll dig into what to include in your LinkedIn About section to make it stand out, as well as some examples to inspire you. Let’s get started.

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If you’re a marketing or sales professional like myself, writing a LinkedIn summary is especially hard. You’re not targeting recruiters and hiring managers; you're appealing to potential clients and buyers. To catch their attention, you need to be a little more flashy with your expertise.

When I first crafted my summary almost a decade ago, I simply regurgitated key points in my background: I went to [X] college, then joined [X] company, and so on. Looking back, I was missing a clear narrative to pull it all together.

I also realized that potential clients aren’t just looking for someone with a shiny, perfect track record — they’re looking for a bigger story, a solution to their problem, and a relationship they can trust.

Whether you’re a job seeker starting your search on LinkedIn or a tenured professional, your summary should speak to your skills, experience, and professional interests — think of it as your digital elevator pitch.

Why a Good LinkedIn Summary is Important

Writing a LinkedIn summary may feel like an unnecessary step — especially if you keep your profile up to date. You might also see it as unnecessary if you don’t spe

A LinkedIn summary is a concise description that showcases your personality and professional journey. Located at the top of your LinkedIn profile, it’s an opportunity to stand out from the crowd and make a memorable first impression. You can think of it like the trailer to the movie of your professional life. It’s the sneak peek, the elevator pitch, and the first impression all rolled into one.

LinkedIn summaries and first impressions are important, but that doesn’t mean writing has to be challenging. Let’s decode the art of crafting a compelling LinkedIn summary and why having a good one is critical to your application.

What is a LinkedIn summary?

A LinkedIn summary, sometimes called the LinkedIn “About” section, is located at the top of your LinkedIn profile, below your profile picture. It’s where you can briefly describe your personality and professional background in up to 2,000 characters.

Why should you have a LinkedIn summary?

Your LinkedIn summary is the digital equivalent of a first impression, offering a concise yet compelling introduction to your career journey and aspirations. It also acts as a personal branding tool, showcasing your unique qualities, values, and professional philosophy.

The best way to attract positive professional attention is by highlighting your accomplishments, the impact of your work, and the value you bring to the professional world. By including relevant keywords, your summary can also enhance your profile’s visibility and searchability, making it easier for others to find and connect with you.

If you write it well, it serves as a conversation starter, prompting more meaningful connections. Ultimately, your summary provides a holistic view of your professional identity, encapsulating your story, expertise, and goals.

What to include in a LinkedIn summary

Your LinkedIn summary doesn’t have to be complicated. You can write it using what you already know and are excited ab

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 resum