LinkedIn can be a very beneficial tool for professionals of all levels, particularly when you’ve got a lot of experience behind you that you want to shout about. It gives you a chance to go into far more detail than you can fit on your resume.
Not only that, but your profile gives you a chance to establish a professional online presence and build your network, as well as discover job opportunities.
But in order to do that, you need a captivating profile that is going to attract recruiters, and that starts with your profile summary.
So, if your introduction could do with a refresh, you’re in the right place. Below, we’ll share five tips for crafting a persuasive and captivating LinkedIn profile summary that will increase your chances of getting noticed.
1. Nail the first two sentences
When recruiters and potential employers land on your LinkedIn profile, they will only see the first couple of sentences. Until they click on the ‘see more’ button, that is. For that reason, you need to nail the introduction of your summary.
You want to grab the reader’s attention right away and encourage them to click that button and keep on reading.
With that in mind, your summary should read like a narrative, telling your story and hooking in the reader. To do that, you need to ensure the first two sentences are catchy and quickly state who you are.
This might take a few drafts to get right, so take your time and play around with your profile until you perfect your introductory sentences.
2. Show your personality
It’s important that you show off your personality throughout your profile summary, including the opening sentences as we discussed above.
By injecting personality into your summary, you can stand out from other professionals in your field. This can be helpful if you work in a competitive industry. It’s also vital for piquing the reader’s interest.
There are several ways you can do this. For example, you could start by outlining something you are proud of, sharing a personal anecdote, or highlighting your passion and expertise. Alternatively, you could simply address the reader directly.
Whatever you choose to do, make sure that your personality shines through. Again, this might take a little while to get right, so don’t rush. You want your summary to reflect who you are and what makes you so great.
3. Include keywords and skills
Another key tip for your LinkedIn profile is to include keywords and skills throughout your summary. This is important for optimizing your profile and making it easier for employers to find you.
It also gives them a better idea of whether or not you’re a good fit for their business.
Just be careful that you don’t end up using too much industry jargon or filling your profile with buzzwords. You need to be careful and purposeful with the keywords and skills you choose. Be sure to highlight those that are most important and relevant in your position and industry.
4. Detail your biggest accomplishments
Your profile summary gives you an opportunity to showcase your biggest and most impressive achievements. For example, you can go into detail about what you’ve done to improve something in a past role or how you’ve achieved impressive results.
You should detail what led to these accomplishments, following the narrative structure we mentioned earlier. This can also help the reader to get a sense of your value and the impact you can have on their business.
If you can include facts and figures to illustrate these achievements that’s even better. Using numbers can help you to grab the reader’s attention and could make you stand out from other applicants.
5. Close with a call to action
Finally, you’ve spent time carefully crafting a captivating profile summary, you don’t want to fall at the final hurdle. Adding a call to action can be very helpful and could be the final push the reader needs to reach out about possible opportunities.
With that in mind, you should close your summary with a sentence or two encouraging the reader to get in touch or connect with you on LinkedIn (if they haven’t already).
This gives them options, they can reach out to you via LinkedIn messages, which also helps you to build your network and foster future opportunities.
Alternatively, you might also wish to include your email address or phone number and encourage them to reach out, depending on your preferred communication method.
Are you ready to create a captivating LinkedIn profile summary?
Whether you’re starting from scratch or updating your existing profile, getting your LinkedIn summary right can open you up to loads more exciting opportunities.
That is why it is so important to take your time and consider the five tips we’ve shared in this guide. By telling your story and showcasing your skills and achievements, you can impress recruiters and potential employers, particularly if you include your LinkedIn handle on your resume.
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