Your "About Summary" on LinkedIn

LinkedIn can be confusing – it's social media but in a professional space. How do you blend your authentic self with your professional persona?

As I discuss on my blog this week, authenticity at work is critical to long-term satisfaction. Of course, that starts by finding a company and culture where you can thrive and be the authentic YOU.

99% of recruiters are using LinkedIn, which means your profile needs to stand out. The About Summary is a great chance to showcase your authentic self.

Only the first three lines of your LinkedIn About section are visible to those visiting your profile without the viewer having to click "Show More." That means it's crucial to start with a bang.

1. Make sure your About section includes a beginning, middle & end (this is your summarized career story).

• Keep in mind that your first three lines (your beginning) are the most critical part; be sure you are grabbing attention immediately. You can start by answering the question, "When was the moment you realized this was your career path?"
• For the middle of your summary, consider what experiences in your career shaped the person you are today and help teach you what you needed to know to develop into your full authentic self.
• To close things out, tell us whom you anticipate being tomorrow. What are you offering an employer, and what else do you want people to know?

2. LinkedIn is the only place you can use pronouns like "I," "me," "my," "we," and "us." Take advantage of this to keep your profile personable and ensure the reader viewer hears your voice instead of a dry professional summary you pulled from your resume profile. While the resume is a good start, and I tend to use it as the framework, use this space to personalize your story and make it truly ABOUT you.

3. Don't forget to load this section with the keywords and phrases that help you get found for the kinds of roles you are targeting!

If you need a makeover or could use more guidance enhancing your LinkedIn profile, DM me to chat.

#jobseeking #professionalbranding #careersearch #careergrowth #careercoaching #personalbranding