Nailing that linkedin profile summary to get headhunted
Writing a professional LinkedIn profile summary is crucial to making a strong first impression and attracting potential employers, clients, or professional connections. Here are some tips to help you craft an effective and engaging summary:
Start with a strong opening: Begin your summary with a compelling opening statement highlighting your expertise, passion, or unique selling proposition. This sentence should immediately grab the reader's attention and encourage them to continue reading.
Focus on your target audience: Tailor your summary to your target audience. Consider what type of connections you want to attract or what opportunities you seek. Speak directly to their needs and interests.
Highlight your key skills and achievements: Showcase your most relevant skills, accomplishments, and experiences. Use specific examples to demonstrate your expertise and show the value you bring.
Show your passion and personality: Let your personality shine through in your writing. A well-crafted summary lists achievements and reveals your enthusiasm for what you do. Be authentic and let your passion for your work come through.
Be concise and clear: LinkedIn summaries have a character limit, so make every word count. Avoid jargon and overly complex language. Aim for clarity and simplicity to ensure your message gets across effectively.
Use keywords: Incorporate relevant and industry-specific terms that recruiters or potential clients might use to find someone with your skills. It will increase the chances of your profile appearing in relevant searches.
Add a Call-to-Action (CTA): End your summary with a clear call-to-action. You can invite others to connect, express interest in job opportunities, or direct them to your website or portfolio.
Consider adding media and links: LinkedIn allows you to include images, documents, and links in your summary. If you have relevant work samples, publications, or a personal website, consider adding them to provide additional credibility.
Update regularly: Your LinkedIn profile is not static; it should evolve with your career. Remember to update your summary regularly to reflect your latest achievements and goals.
Proofread and edit: A well-written summary is free from grammatical errors and typos. Before publishing, thoroughly proofread and edit your summary to ensure it appears polished and professional.
An example structure for a LinkedIn profile summary:
Opening statement: Start with a compelling sentence introducing yourself and your expertise.
Key skills and achievements: Highlight your top skills and significant accomplishments.
Passion and motivation: Share your enthusiasm for your field or industry.
Value proposition: Explain your value to potential employers or clients.
Call-to-action: End with a clear call-to-action to encourage profile visitors to connect or engage with you.
EXAMPLE
I’m a positive, motivated and hard-working customer service, marketing and administration all-rounder with expertise in data analysis and technical systems – I also have a bit of a creative flair. I’m organised and have a great eye for detail, which allows me to manage competing projects to client requests. I enjoy challenges and learning on the job, and am seeking an entry- level marketing and administration role to utilise these broad range of skills.
Key skills include:
Marketing and Communications
Administration
Stakeholder engagement
Communication
Customer Service
Data Analysis
Remember, your LinkedIn profile summary is a dynamic tool constantly amended to suit different purposes and audiences. Tailor it as needed, and ensure it aligns with your professional brand and career goals.
contact Bernadette to have your LinkedIn profile tailored and branded to suit you, so you get headhunted!