Creating an Exceptional LinkedIn Summary: 17 Best Examples & How to Write Your Own
If you are looking to land your dream job or attract new clients, having a great LinkedIn profile is crucial. One of the most important parts of your profile is the LinkedIn summary section. This is where you get to introduce yourself to potential employers or clients in your own words. In this article, we will take a look at why having a great LinkedIn summary is important and how to create one that will make you stand out from the crowd.
LinkedIn Summary
Before we dive into how to create an excellent LinkedIn summary, let's take a quick look at what it is. The LinkedIn summary section is a brief introduction to who you are, what you do, and what you are interested in. It is a chance to showcase your personality, skills, and accomplishments.
Why a Good LinkedIn Summary is Important
There are many reasons why having a great LinkedIn summary is important. Here are just a few:
1. You get to introduce yourself in your own words.
The LinkedIn summary section is your chance to tell potential employers or clients who you are in your own words. This is a unique opportunity to showcase your personality and give people a sense of who you are beyond your work experience.
2. You get to show your personality.
Your personality is what sets you apart from other candidates. A great LinkedIn summary can help you showcase your personality and what makes you unique.
3. You can rank higher in LinkedIn search results.
A great LinkedIn summary can help you rank higher in LinkedIn search results. This means that when potential employers or clients search for someone with your skills or experience, you will show up higher in the search results.
How to Write a LinkedIn Summary
Now that you know why having a great LinkedIn summary is important let's take a look at how to create one.
1. Create a quick outline prior to writing your About section.
Before you start writing your LinkedIn summary, it can be helpful to create a quick outline. This will help you stay focused and organized as you write.
2. Hook readers with a strong opener.
Your LinkedIn summary should start with a strong opener that grabs the reader's attention. This could be a personal story or an interesting fact about yourself.
3. Tell the reader why you do what you do.
People are often more interested in why you do what you do than what you do. Use your LinkedIn summary to tell people why you are passionate about your work.
4. Speak to your industry expertise.
Your LinkedIn summary is a chance to showcase your industry expertise. Use specific examples or projects to demonstrate your skills and accomplishments.
5. Call out your specialties and skills.
Make sure to highlight your unique skills and specialties. This will help you stand out from other candidates.
6. Provide data to back up your results and prove your expertise.
Use specific metrics or data to back up your results and demonstrate your expertise within your field.
7. Mention if your team is currently hiring and invite people to apply.
If you are currently hiring for your team, make sure to mention it in your LinkedIn summary. This can be a great way to attract new talent.
8. Highlight your professional interests.
Use your LinkedIn summary to showcase your professional interests. This can help you connect with others who share your interests and passions.
9. Include a call-to-action with your contact information.
Make sure to include a call-to-action at the end of your LinkedIn summary. This could be an invitation to connect on LinkedIn or an invitation to email you directly.
10. Tip: Break up large blocks of text.
Aim to break up large chunks of text into smaller paragraphs or bullet points. This will make your LinkedIn summary easier to read and more visually appealing.
What to Put in a LinkedIn Summary
Here are a few things to consider including in your LinkedIn summary:
- Your professional background and experience
- Your unique skills and specialties
- Specific accomplishments and projects
- Your professional interests and passions
- Contact information
What (Not) to Put in a LinkedIn Summary
Here are a few things to avoid including in your LinkedIn summary:
- Personal information that is not relevant to your professional life
- Negative information about past employers or colleagues
- Unprofessional language or slang
LinkedIn Summary Examples
Here are some examples of great LinkedIn summaries:
- Johnny Martinez: Entertaining audiences with magic across the country for over 15 years. Passionate about creating unique experiences for clients and their audiences.
- Anna Thompson: Marketing professional with over 10 years of experience in B2B tech. Skilled in creating successful campaigns that drive results and make an impact.
- Mary Johnson: Graphic designer with a passion for creating beautiful, functional designs for clients. Excited to collaborate with other creatives to bring ideas to life.
LinkedIn Summary Template
Here is a template you can use to create your own great LinkedIn summary:
- Introduction
- What you do and why you are passionate about it
- Industry expertise and unique skills
- Specific examples of accomplishments and projects
- Professional interests and passions
- Call-to-action with contact information
Stand Out with an Exceptional LinkedIn Summary
A great LinkedIn summary can help you stand out from the crowd and attract new clients or potential employers. Follow these tips and use the examples and template provided to create a LinkedIn summary that showcases your skills, personality, and accomplishments.