“Opening lines” for your LinkedIn profile that will make a lasting (positive) impression.

How good is LinkedIn? You get to silently follow your high school friends, college comrades, and ex-colleagues from afar. You can watch them progress in their career and read their academic articles. It’s the online reflection of your progress in your professional endeavors. It’s also the place where people keep tabs on you, follow along with your achievements, and look you up when they have a job or opportunity they need to fill. So use it wisely.?

Make your opening line for your profile's ‘summary’ section memorable. Hook your network in and make them stay on your profile to see how great you really are.?

Here are five examples of engaging opening lines:?

1. Growing up I had a childhood filled with the types of interesting stories most kids read about in a book about Australia; from raising foster kangaroos to playing sport on the national level; storytelling has always been in my blood, because I've always had stories to tell.?

2. “It’s not rocket science,” they said. Well for me it is. A career in missile defense has already brought me to infinity and beyond.?

3. I’m a worldy creative. If there’s a brand, I’ll make it attractive.I can sell people, places, plants, pets .. you name it.?

4. I pick up the trash that’s left behind at lunch. Leaders lead from the front. It’s important I show my team how I want things done. And it starts with the small things.?

5. I’m the person people come to when they want something done, found, or explained. I do the work not many have the heart to do. A qualified and loyal Executive Assistant is the backbone of any successful company.?

What makes a good start to your summary paragraph:?

1. Have a hook: the first line needs to be engaging and interesting. Give someone a reason to keep reading and getting to know you.?

2. Make it personal. They came to YOUR profile to get to know you, to understand where you’ve been and what you can do, so tell them.?

3. Weave in your professional abilities and your personal touch.

Give love to your LinkedIn profile like you would your beautifully thought out, color coded instagram page. A little thought in your opening statement could pay off in the long run.

Ashtyn Hiron