Right off the bat, let’s get one thing clear: LinkedIn is where real people make genuine connections. So why would you opt for a LinkedIn summary with a robotic, third-person narrative when describing yourself? Break down the barriers and let’s talk about how to make your LinkedIn summaries as relatable as a face-to-face meeting.
LinkedIn: A Place for Genuine Connections, Not Resumes
You’re not going to introduce yourself at a conference by saying, “John is a charismatic manager with an impressive background,” are you? LinkedIn serves as a digital handshake, a platform where you not only showcase your professional achievements but also let your personality shine. It’s definitely not the place to copy and paste your resume.
Crafting an Engaging First-Person LinkedIn Summary
Imagine you’re saying, “G’day, I’m John. As a senior IT executive, I might still know just enough programming to be a bit mischievous! I’m a massive cricket fan, but professionally, I’m all about leveraging IT to drive business growth.” Now, wouldn’t you want to know more about John?
He has told us his role, hinted at his career progression, and made it clear he’s a business-focused individual. If you’re an employer, you’re now super intrigued. If you’re a sports fan, you’ve found your opening line.
Structuring Your Summary for Maximum Impact
What comes next can vary. You might include anecdotal bullet points that highlight your key achievements, or go for themed headings like “Who I Am,” “My Career Journey,” and “Let’s Connect!” Just steer clear of clichés that weigh down your profile. No one wants to read that you’re an “excellent communicator” for the umpteenth time.
The Finer Details: Keywords and Contact Information
Sprinkle in relevant keywords to make your profile easily searchable. If you’re not a first- or second-level connection with a recruiter, consider adding a temporary phone number or email address. For those with unique or commonly misspelled names, list the alternative spellings to increase your findability.
The Final Check
Before hitting that “Save” button, read your summary aloud. Does it sound like someone you’d want to meet? If the answer is yes, you’ve nailed it!
So, what’s your take on LinkedIn summaries? Are you embracing the human touch?
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I’ve used a combination of objective and personal. It’s a tough call, as there is so much advice out there as to how to do it. I’m not sure if something has changed in the last 1.5 years, but the market is slow. I haven’t been out of work for so long in my entire career, unless I have chosen it. I get plenty of invitations to connect. But, that’s where is seems to stop, unless they have something to sell. I am more careful to screen now. It could be that I am not good at networking. I don’t know, but the changing rules are driving me crazy. Of course, I could be in a job seeker funk…I just don’t know. But, good article, which I shared on Twitter. I like the approach. Thanks! Susan
Thanks Susan for your comment. You’re right. There’s a lot of advice out there and you can’t follow all of it. LinkedIn is great for research. Looking for where you want to work, who has left, who has come in, and who you know that can get you in front of decision makers for that company. So from that perspective, it is terrific, but you’ve just got to use LinkedIn like it is a sales and follow-up tool. Those people who want to sell you something, honestly have no idea! You’re doing the right thing by vetting carefully. Good luck and thanks for the share! Most appreciated.
This was exactly what I was looking for. Appreciate it!