Do you know how to showcase yourself with your LinkedIn summary section?

A well-done summary can help you secure your next job or land your next client. Sadly, too many people aren’t using this section to its full advantage.

 

How to Update Your Summary Section

The summary section comes just below your name, photo, profile headline, company, college, and location. To edit it, click on the pencil icon to the right of your photo.

Scroll down until you see the box labeled Summary. This is where you will put your text.

Compose your summary in a Word document. That way you can adjust it as needed and catch typos and spelling errors. Then copy it and paste it into the box.

You have up to 2,000 characters. Generally, I advise using a narrative format and writing in the first person. Doing so will make you come across as more friendly and approachable. Writing in the third person makes it read more like a press release.

Also, include contact information (e.g. email address, website – if appropriate – and phone number) in your summary. Doing this makes it easy for people who find your profile to reach out to you.

 

How Job Seekers Can Showcase Themselves in Their Summary

  • Sprinkle key words throughout the summary. Review the job descriptions of positions you are interest in and incorporate some of those terms. Just, don’t get too carried away. Be sure to write in plain language and sound like a person, not a job ad.
  • Review the summary sections of people in your field. You can find key words to include and get inspiration from ones that are well done. (Remember, taking inspiration is not the same as copying and pasting someone else’s work into your summary.)
  • Include specific accomplishments. Describe how your efforts benefited the company where you work or used to work.
  • Indicate the direction you want to go with your career. Paint a picture of the type of job you are seeking. As appropriate, include the kinds of industries or companies for which you want to work.

 

How Business Owners Can Showcase Themselves in Their Summary

  • Share what prompted you to start of your business. People love to hear a company owner’s “back story.” Briefly describe what motivated you to create your business or purchase an existing business.
  • Include key word. Review your company website for language you can adapt for your summary.
  • Keep the focus on you in the context of your business. Remember that the summary is about you and your role in the company. Too often, business owners only talk about their company and not about themselves.
  • List ways your clients have benefited from your services or products. Include some statistics or stories. Ask permission to use short quotes from satisfied clients.
  • Have a clear call to action. Make it clear how people can tell if your products/services match their needs. Then tell them the best way to reach you.

 

How About You?

How do you approach your LinkedIn summary? What steps have you taken to showcase yourself?

 

About Joyce

Joyce Feustel helps people, especially those age 45 and up, to become more effective using social media, especially Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, and Twitter. She works with business owners, nonprofit organizations, retired people, consultants, and many others. Find her at www.boomerssocialmediatutor.com.