Write a Killer (or Good) LinkedIn Summary

You know that nebulous space at the top of your LinkedIn profile? The one right under Background where you have 2,000 characters of space to summarize yourself?

If you're like many people, you leave it blank. Or you fill it with important-sounding words like "utilize" and "impactful" — which I saw earlier today in the same Summary.

For a long time, I went for the former option. I left mine blank for years because I had no idea how to fit myself into a concise yet clever summary. And after all, didn't my Experience speak for itself?

After shifting my career to social media, I've finally decided to fill in this section. Here are three simple tips to help you do the same.

1) Write Like an 8th-Grader

No, really. It's not because the coworker, recruiter or potential employer checking out your profile didn't make it past middle school. It's because anything beyond an 8th-grade reading level sounds stuffy. We're used to a certain level of writing in newspapers and magazines, whether in print or online. Why do we start cramming SAT words into our resumes? Bigger words don't earn a higher point value. Keep it simple, and you'll sound authentic and confident.

Exception: Essential industry related words, because you're a biomechanical engineer, are fine, but keep them at a minimum.

2) Does that phrase sound familiar? Delete it

We love to pair some words together. We've read them everywhere, so they sound familiar, almost friendly, a sure bet. Unfortunately, they're familiar to the point of exhaustion to resume readers. Don't be highly motivated; be motivated. Don't be the founder and CEO of your company of one. Stay away from buzzwords like savvy and guru. When we choose language that everyone else has used, it sounds derivative. It is derivative. So leave out your strong work ethic and outstanding written and verbal communication skills. Be real.

Tip: Some big offenders are compound phrases like "results-driven" and "goal-oriented." Beware of hyphens.

3) Or just use this template

A template goes against everything I've been saying about being original, right? Well, it's actually the words that make your Summary unique. The form is flexible. Try this:

• 2-5 sentences in 1-2 very short paragraphs saying something about you. Use first person if you refer to yourself. Share something that makes you unique (like my old boss who used to call me a bulldog for being so dedicated) or something you believe in (like my current Summary which focus on the idea of storytelling). This is where your personality should come through.
• Use bullets for the rest. Bullets are skimmable. If you have educational experience you need to highlight, but it's buried at the bottom of your profile, mention it here. Name drop if you've interviewed Colin Powell. (It was one question, but hey, it counts!) Or just pull out those keywords of your skills and accomplishments.

OK, Internet, do your worst. Am I wrong? Comment below and let me know what you think is the best way to approach your LinkedIn Summary.