5 Templates That'll Make
Writing the Perfect LinkedIn Summary a Total Breeze
How many times have you started reading
someone’s LinkedIn summary and found yourself totally bored two sentences in?
The whole thing is only a paragraph, but you’re already scrolling down to the
Experience section—or even clicking away from the page.
Having a great summary is essential. After
all, it’s one of the most important areas of your entire LinkedIn profile: It sums up your professional
history, qualifications, and personality. Plus, it can (and should) give
viewers a clear idea of what they should do next—whether that’s accepting your
connection request, recruiting you for a job opening, or reaching out for
networking purposes.
If you’re looking for inspiration, check out
these five different LinkedIn summary examples—there’s a template for every
kind of person.
Example #1The Mission-Based Summary
Every brand has stories to tell—stories that
will not only engage, inform, surprise, delight, and impact their audience, but
that will also deliver on measurable business goals. And I am the conduit
between brand and consumer.
I help clients find the subject and medium
that best fits their unique identity, and then I produce high-quality content
that meets their objectives.
Currently, I am a content strategist at
Alliance Media, where I’ve collaborated with companies such as Tiffany &
Co., Burger King, and Netflix.
My specialties include digital media,
consumer behavior, brand awareness, and omni-channel marketing campaigns.
The mission-based summary opens with a broad description of what you do, then gets more and more specific. This is a great choice if you’re using LinkedIn to engage with a variety of people. After all, someone who’s unfamiliar with the field is probably hazy on what “content strategy” means—but everyone understands “telling stories for brands.”
It also shows that you get the bigger
picture. You understand why your job encompasses more than your daily to-do
list. And as you can see, you don’t have to be “increasing literacy rates in
third-world countries” or “building prosthetics with near-natural motor
capability” to be contributing something valuable to the world.
Example #2The Personality Summary
When I was 21, I climbed Mount Everest. Not
metaphorically—I literally climbed the highest mountain on Earth.
While I was hiking, I thought about quitting
approximately 5,000 times. (And that’s a lowball estimate.) But despite the
high winds, low altitude, mental and physical fatigue, and trail mix overdose,
I kept going. I’m that person. Once I say I’ll do something, it will happen.
Now, I put that perseverance to work as a
senior account manager for Polar. I don’t have to climb any mountains…but I do
have to move them.
I’m well-versed in negotiations, planning and
development, relationship management, operations, and logistics coordination
and scheduling.
If you’re interested in grabbing coffee and talking
shop (or to hear how I almost fell off the mountain at 27K feet), please send
an email my way.
If you’re really looking to hook people, begin with an anecdote that demonstrates one or two key personality traits.
Because this type of summary focuses more on
soft skills than on hard skills, it’s ideal for two types of users: the
networkers and the less-experienced. If you’re using LinkedIn primarily to meet
new people, rather than get a job, this makes you seem like an interesting
person to know. You’ll likely see an increase in the number of connections you
make, as well as the number of people who accept your coffee invites.
And it’s also great if you’re still a student
or relatively new to the professional world. Instead of being confined to a short,
two or three sentence bio explaining what limited experience you have, you can
flesh out your character traits to help people learn more about you.
Example #3The Short-and-Sweet Summary
I have over 15 years of experience working in
data science. Currently, I work as Asana’s Senior Data Manager, improving
products and services for our customers by using advanced analytics, standing
up big-data analytical tools, creating and maintaining models, and onboarding
compelling new data sets.
Previously, I was Chief Data Scientist at
Guru, where I analyzed data from some of the biggest enterprise companies in
the world to educate the market on long-term internet trends.
Competencies: data science, machine learning,
cloud computing, Hadoop, Python/Java/R, network protocols
The short and sweet summary is a smart choice for professionals in conservative or technical industries. For example, if you’re a lawyer, you want to make it easy for people to see how long you’ve been practicing law, what your qualifications are, and the type of work you specialize in. (Plus, getting too creative might undermine your credibility.)
This also works for active job hunters. Why?
It allows you to get a lot of keywords in, which will help advance you in the
search results when a recruiter looks for someone who fits your profile.
Whatever the case, a short and sweet summary
should include your current role, previous positions (if they’re relevant or
notable), and your skills.
Example #4The Blended Summary
I’m a talent acquisition specialist with an
interest in building the most effective workforces possible. For over 20 years,
I’ve been helping businesses find their perfect hires. I also do consulting on
compensation and benefits, new hire processes, and company culture.
When I’m not on the job, I love hiking with
my dog, working my way through every recipe in the family cookbook, and
indulging my love for seeing new places.
If you’d like to learn more about how my
services can help your company, please reach out via email (janedoe@gmail.com).
As the name suggests, this summary is a blend between the personality and the mission versions. It’s perfect if you want to get straight to the facts, but you also want some levity in your description. I’d suggest it for professionals in more creative industries and people whose work involves a lot of other people (think sales reps, managers, or HR specialists).
To make this work, begin with your current
job and a couple work accomplishments or highlights, then add some “fun facts.”
However, make sure they’re not too fun—“I love karaoke (ask me
about my Mariah Carey cover)” is fine. “My personal motto is ‘It’s 5 PM
somewhere!’” is probably not. When in doubt, leave it out.
If you need more help nailing the perfect
tone for this one, just imagine you’re talking to someone you just met at an
industry event. Keep it light, fun, and professional.
Example #5The Accomplishments Summary
I’m a freelance multi-disciplinary graphic
designer who’s delivered creative and engaging solutions across brand identity,
print, packaging, and digital media.
In 2013, my online brand campaign for the
Dorsey Children’s Hospital won a GDUSA award, one of the most prestigious
honors in the graphic design industry.
My work has also been featured in Creatique
Bloq, Compound Magazine, and on the Creative Review blog.
Skills: logo design, web design, branding and
identity, typography, UI design, packaging, CSS, HTML, InDesign, Photoshop,
Illustrator
If you have a project I can help with, please
get in touch.
I love the accomplishments summary for those who are seeking work—either a full-time position or freelance gigs. It cuts to the chase and tells potential employers or clients exactly why you deserve the job, as well as the (high) caliber of work they can expect from you.
And you’re not limited to awards, speaking
engagements, or positive press. Something like “I planned and implemented a new
social media strategy that tripled our online engagement in six months” works
too.
It doesn’t matter which summary type you choose—having
a well-written, thoughtful one will do wonders for your LinkedIn goals.
By AJA FROST
https://www.themuse.com/advice/5-templates-thatll-make-writing-the-perfect-linkedin-summary-a-breeze
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