Secrets to Writing a Compelling LinkedIn Summary

Did You Know?

In February 2008, the mobile version of the website was launched. However, it was in 2011 that the mobile app was revamped which, in turn, increased the mobile page views by 400%!

LinkedIn, a networking site for professionals, is a great platform to connect with fellow professionals from around the world. Your LinkedIn connections are sure to help you in your career, and this is the main reason people constantly look to enhance their profiles.

When you view anyone's profile on this website, the first thing you notice is their summary. Thus, for a professional who wants to improve his network of professional contacts, it is necessary to take efforts to make the summary look compelling.

We, have collated some vital tips to write a compelling summary, and have also provided examples that we came across which highlight the use of our tips.

Write in First Person

You might have visited a number of sites where you have been advised not to write the summary in first person, but do it in third person instead. The third person summary might look professional, but it looks more like a PR company-created profile.

Thus, it is necessary to make the reader believe that you are the one writing the details and not someone else. It should be short and precise, providing details about who you are, and what you do. Here is the perfect example that clearly explains this point.

Follow the Three-part Format

You will come across many summaries on the website that are written in a single-paragraph format. Now, give me an honest answer.

Do you actually read everything written in it? No! This is the main reason for writing in multiple paragraphs. Try to split the information into three paragraphs. In the first paragraph, introduce yourself.

Write about your basic qualification, primary skills, etc. In the second paragraph, talk about your company or clients. Give an insight into the type of work you like to do or excel at. If possible (and permissible), provide details about the projects that you are currently handling.

Finally, you can talk about the kind of work you are interested in, and also provide contact details, like phone number and email address. To understand the usage of this rule, here is an example.

Integrate Keywords

What if someone is not using LinkedIn, but instead is doing a Google search. If you didn't use the right keywords in your summary, your profile won't display on a Google search, and you will be almost invisible! Thus, it is necessary to have the right combination of keywords that adhere to your niche.

The LinkedIn internal search engine looks for these keywords, whenever a relevant query is made. You can take help of Google's Keyword Planner or other SEO (Search Engine Optimization) tools to find appropriate keywords. This example highlights the perfect usage of keywords.

Have the Right Connections

In the corporate world, it is always preferable to have as many connections as possible. LinkedIn provides you the platform to have more of these. Thus, invite people to connect to your profile and have small conversations with them. This will help you to connect with more people from your field.

Thus, try to build more first-degree connections. The websites that you list out in your profile should have customized URLs. The anchor text should be customized to increase its search rank.

Attention-grabbing Headline

The headline that you assign to your profile should be catchy. It is your first chance to attract the viewer's attention. The headline shouldn't be a mere copy of your resume headline! Your resume will be long, extremely professional (most of us get one created by PR companies), and this will make your summary look boring.

While writing the headline (and the summary), keep in mind that the recruiter/client will judge whether to contact you or not depending on this piece of information. Thus, keep it short and highlight your achievements clearly. This example gives an idea about the right usage of words for writing a headline.

Summary Examples

We came across some really good summaries on LinkedIn, which we have listed below. You can write your summaries by taking inspiration from these.

From the world of FIRST robotics competitions to the projects that I am involved in my career, I have developed work hard and play hard mentality.

Due to the nurturing of my creative side in my childhood, I have developed an out-of-the-box thinking. I enjoy stimulating projects and take initiatives.

As an individual who can manage multiple projects at a time, I am a dependable leader. I believe in the fact that great ideas and insights come from anywhere and anyone. And thus, I always enjoy working with people who are full of creativity, as their creativity motivates me to work harder.

After completion of my degree, I had the opportunity to implement my education and internship working experience with the ABC Corp., as a Communication Coordinator. In this position, I was responsible for the creation of a digital campaign for promotion of work ethics in the organization.

I was also involved in creating new logo, tagline, and brand creation of the organization. At present, I am working at the same position by mentoring new interns, developing brand elements, and providing creative guidance.

The above example clearly shows the excellent usage of the three-part format. The first paragraph gives us a quick, attention-grabbing starter, while the second paragraph tells about his key skills. The third paragraph speaks about his recruitment details and work life.

Make a note of the story-type method of writing the summary. Also, the first-person format makes the summary interesting to read.

Explore, discover, and enjoy with XYZ, one article at a time.

xyz.com is your complete source of interesting articles and categorized information. Be entertained with the liveliest, and enlightened with everything worth knowing. If you like what we like, follow us in our knowledge expedition and feel free to share what we offer.

Visit us at www.xyz.com

This example shows how a company can showcase their specialties and work profile, in a brief manner. The customized URL of the company profile is a great way to connect to people. The keywords are cleverly integrated into the summary, so as to achieve high Google rank.

Do not forget the notice the catchy start line. This headline is self-explanatory, providing details about the company's field of work, and the summary is an expansion of this headline!

Summary of Skills

- Currently working as Marketing manager in XYZ Corp., a pharmaceutical organization.

- Over 15 years of professional experience in project management, marketing, business development, and customer relations.

- Worked on projects in developing international business relationships, and creating client bases alongside successfully managing existing clients.

- Proven self-starter having started a business and implemented projects in USA and France.

Specialties

- Project Management for Global Projects
- Marketing and Creative Services
- Internal and External Communication
- Event Planning and Management
- Web Services, & Web 2.0 Marketing

This is another way of clearly highlighting your strong points. Instead of writing paragraphs about your career, you can jot them down in points, which is easy for the recruiter/clients to read. The clarity in the content, makes this summary stand out.

Also Remember...

... to have a professionally-clicked photo as your profile picture. Neatly comb your hair and wear formals while clicking the picture.

.... to get recommendations for your profile. This will increase your profile credibility.

.... not to use cliched, mundane, or commonly-used words in your profile.

.... to explicitly state what you are looking for. If you are unemployed and looking for work, state it clearly in the summary.

.... to provide your contact details including phone number.

Most summaries that you find on the website do not adhere to these rules, and hence, end up have very few views. LinkedIn is a great place to connect with some of the best and experienced individuals from your profession or field of expertise.

You can make your presence felt by keeping in mind a few points while writing your summary. Make the most of this opportunity!