Don’t Ignore the "About" Section of Your LinkedIn? Profile

The About section of a LinkedIn? profile is a personal summary where users can introduce themselves, highlight their professional background, and showcase their skills, experience, and goals. It serves as a first impression on anyone viewing the profile. There’s a limit of 2,600 characters. This includes spaces and punctuation. You need to be concise, yet provide enough detail to cover your key points within this limitation.

Many profilers ignore the About section. That’s a huge tactical error. Here are a few reasons this section is important:

Personal Branding

The About section is an opportunity to present your unique professional identity. It's where you can convey what makes you stand out … whether that’s your expertise, values, or the vision you have for your career or business.

Engagement and Connection

A well-crafted About section helps potential employers, clients, or collaborators understand your background and motivations. It humanizes your profile and helps people connect with your career/business journey and objectives.

Highlighting Achievements and Skills

You can showcase key accomplishments, core skills, and career/business highlights. This can be beneficial if your work history doesn’t showcase your abilities or if you’ve worked on unconventional projects or initiatives.

Career Objectives

The About section is a place to share your career aspirations and what you're seeking, whether that’s new opportunities, partnerships, or projects. It can also clarify the kinds of roles or industries you're interested in. It helps recruiters and connections understand your professional goals.

SEO (Search Engine Optimization) and Visibility

The text in the About section contributes to your profile's discoverability in searches. By including relevant keywords related to your skills, industry, and expertise, you can improve your chances of appearing in LinkedIn? search results for relevant opportunities.

Building Trust

The About section allows you to communicate your values, work ethic, and what you bring to the table. Well-written and authentic, it can help build trust and credibility with others who view your profile.

In summary, the About section is crucial because it gives context to your career, enables you to engage with your audience, and showcases your personal brand. It’s a key part of your LinkedIn? profile and communication strategy.