How to Write a LinkedIn Summary (About Section)
Your LinkedIn About section is your opportunity to introduce yourself beyond your job titles. It helps recruiters understand your background, strengths, achievements, and career goals while adding personality to your professional profile.
Quick Answer
A strong LinkedIn summary explains who you are, what you do, your key achievements, and the value you bring. It should be easy to read, written in the first person, and tailored to the type of opportunities you want.
In This Guide
What Is a LinkedIn Summary?
The About section is a short professional introduction that appears near the top of your LinkedIn profile.
Unlike your resume, it gives you room to explain:
โ Your professional story
โ Your expertise
โ Your interests
โ Your career direction
โ What motivates you professionally
Think of it as your professional introduction rather than your career history.
Why It Matters
A well-written summary helps you:
โ Give context to your experience
โ Highlight achievements
โ Showcase your personality
โ Improve keyword relevance
โ Encourage recruiters to continue reading your profile
Many recruiters skim this section before reviewing your work experience.
The Best Structure
A simple five-part structure works for most professionals.
Introduce Yourself
Briefly explain who you are professionally. Example: "I'm a software engineer with five years of experience building scalable web applications."
Highlight Your Expertise
Mention your strongest skills and areas of specialization such as backend development, financial analysis, digital marketing, project management, or customer success.
Share Key Achievements
Include measurable accomplishments whenever possible. Examples include reducing operational costs by 20%, leading projects serving over one million users, or increasing website traffic by 45%.
Explain What Drives You
Share what you enjoy professionally such as solving complex problems, building user-focused products, leading high-performing teams, or improving customer experiences.
End With Future Goals
Briefly describe the opportunities or industries you're interested in pursuing.
LinkedIn Summary Template
Fill in This Template
I'm a [profession] with [experience] specializing in [specialization].
Throughout my career, I've worked on [projects or responsibilities], helping [results or impact].
My strongest skills include [skills], and I enjoy [professional interests].
I'm always interested in opportunities to [career goal] while continuing to learn and contribute to meaningful projects.
Examples
Example 1: Software Engineer
I'm a software engineer specializing in Java, Spring Boot, and cloud-based applications. Over the past several years, I've developed scalable backend systems, improved application performance, and collaborated with cross-functional teams to deliver reliable software solutions. I enjoy solving technical challenges and building products that create real value for users.
Example 2: Marketing Specialist
I'm a digital marketing specialist with experience in SEO, content marketing, and analytics. I enjoy helping businesses increase their online visibility through data-driven strategies and continuous optimization.
Example 3: Student
I'm a computer science student passionate about software development and problem-solving. Through university projects and personal applications, I've developed experience with Java, Python, and web technologies, and I'm excited to begin my professional career.
Example 4: Career Changer
After several years in customer service, I'm transitioning into project management, bringing strong communication, organization, and leadership skills developed through managing client relationships and cross-functional collaboration.
Tell a StoryโDon't Repeat Your Resume
Recruiters can already see your work history.
Use the About section to explain:
โ Why you chose your profession
โ What motivates you
โ What problems you enjoy solving
โ What type of work excites you
This context makes your profile more memorable than simply repeating your job titles.
Writing Tips
โ Write in the first person
โ Use short paragraphs
โ Focus on achievements, not responsibilities
โ Include relevant keywords naturally
โ Avoid buzzwords without evidence
โ Proofread before publishing
Common Mistakes
Avoid:
โ Leaving the About section blank
โ Copying your resume word for word
โ Writing one very long paragraph
โ Using vague phrases like "hardworking professional"
โ Listing every skill instead of telling your story
โ Writing only one sentence
Best Practices
โ Keep the summary between 150 and 300 words
โ Include measurable achievements
โ Show personality while remaining professional
โ Tailor the summary to your target role
โ Update it as your career evolves
โ Ensure it aligns with your resume
Build a Resume and LinkedIn Profile That Complement Each Other
Your LinkedIn summary should reinforce the story your resume tells. Resumee helps you generate professional summaries, highlight measurable achievements, and tailor your application materials so your resume and LinkedIn profile present a consistent, compelling professional brand.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should a LinkedIn summary be?
For most professionals, 150 to 300 words provides enough space to introduce yourself without overwhelming readers.
Should I write in the first or third person?
First person is generally more natural and conversational for LinkedIn.
Can I copy my resume summary?
Not exactly. Your LinkedIn summary should expand on your professional story rather than repeating your resume summary word for word.
Should I include keywords?
Yes. Include relevant industry keywords naturally to help recruiters find your profile through LinkedIn search.
What if I have no work experience?
Focus on your education, projects, internships, volunteer work, transferable skills, and career goals.