5 LinkedIn Summary Examples and Tips

LinkedIn Summary examples are considerably helpful to inspire you to write your own. The platform focused on the business world is a very important place to be, to be updated with the latest news from several industry sectors, and to create a valuable network with professionals from your area.

If you are looking for a new job,  you can find several opportunities through LinkedIn. But, it's essential to know how to present yourself and highlight your qualities. When someone visits your profile, they should see why you are a good professional, and what differentiates you from others.

How can you do that? A good start is by writing an impressive summary, which is like your bio on LinkedIn. But, remember, you need to be authentic, no lies about skills and experiences you don't have. Neither copying other LinkedIn summaries. The examples here are to give you insights and help you see how you can write your own, but keep in mind the importance of being original.  

What's The LinkedIn Summary?#

The LinkedIn summary is the text box that is placed at the top of your profile. Is your "about section", where you can present yourself, and is one of the first things people see when visiting your profile.

You can use it to write about your professional experiences, goals, and current work. The summary can have 2000 characters at the maximum. However, only the three first lines are visible, so to read the rest the user needs to click on "see more". So, it's important to catch the reader's attention from the beginning. 

The Importance of Having a Well-Written LinkedIn Summary#

When building your LinkedIn profile, it's important to pay attention and think carefully about how to write your LinkedIn Summary. People can indeed see more information about you when looking at the timeline of where you have worked or reading the posts that you publish.

However, the LinkedIn summary allows you to present yourself in your own words. You can talk about your experiences, how they made you the professional you are now, what are your perspectives for the future, and highlight your values.

This can be the opening door for new career opportunities, finding clients, or making new partnerships. You also have the chance to show your personality, and when you complete this section, the LinkedIn algorithm sees your profile as complete. This can help you gain more visibility on the platform. 

How to Write a LinkedIn Summary#

So, you understand the importance of writing a LinkedIn summary, right? But, sometimes, in front of the white page, there is the fear of having a blank and getting stuck. The first tip is to begin by making a draft, write a list of the things you would like to include in your summary. 

Structure the Summary#

Once you have listed what information you wish to include in the summary, it's time to define what should go first. The introduction needs to be appealing to the reader, and use language that can catch their attention. Be clear and direct to the point. You can follow this structure:

• Hook: the introduction where you start presenting yourself but also instigates the reader's curiosity to want to keep reading.
• Mission: explain what you do, and what your values are. 
• Expertise and skills: tell what you do best, and highlight your professional qualities.
• Accomplishments: present what you have conquered until now, like success cases, and awards. 
• Call to action: write a call to action that is suitable to what opportunities you are looking for. 

Tips to Write a LinkedIn Summary#

Consider Your Target Audience#

If you take the time to browse through LinkedIn, you will find thousands of summaries with different approaches. Some of them have a very formal tone of speech while others include jokes and emojis. Why is that? 

There isn't a shape or tone of voice that fits all. You need to consider who you want to talk to when writing your profile. What are the characteristics of the business sector you are focusing on? In the case of people who work with publicity and design, for instance, creativity is an essential skill, and you can show that in how you will write your summary, for instance. 

Write an Attractive Introduction#

As you must have already noticed your full bio won't appear on your profile, just the beginning. So, it's essential to write an introduction that instigates the reader's curiosity. There are several ways to do that, as you will notice in the LinkedIn summary examples. 

For example, you can build a storyline talking about how an event from your childhood led to your career. Begin with an impact statement that will make the reader want to understand it, or even start with a joke. Find what works for you and your niche, but be original. 

Explain What You Do and Why#

Tell the reader about your current job, explain what your functions are, and highlight the importance of your work. Beyond that, you should also show what motivates you, and what your values are. What is your mission, and how do you feel you are following it through your work? Try to answer that question. 

Show Your Accomplishments and Skills#

What have you conquered so far? In the LinkedIn summary, it's also important to emphasize the success cases in your career, which are proof that you are actually good at what you do. Talk a little bit more about your skills, if you have data to back up what you are saying even better. 

Finalize with a Call To Action#

What are you looking for on LinkedIn? A new job? Sell your products? Hire employees? Make that clear in the summary and write a call to action (CTA) according to your goals. 

LinkedIn Summary Examples#

1. Tanmoy Saha#

Tanmoy Saha is the director of talent acquisition at Peloton and his LinkedIn Summary stands out for several reasons. He starts telling more about his upbringing, which creates a closer connection with the reader, it humanizes him. 

Then, he explains more about his current job, and his expertise, and avoids the use of jargon. He doesn't use an arrogant tone of speech which makes him more likable, and neither is too formal. The text flows as a conversation, so it's easy to read, and not boring. 

2. Desiree Thompson#

Desiree Thompson's profile is a great LinkedIn summary example because it shows how you can use storyline strategies to present yourself interestingly and emphasize your qualities. She starts talking about her childhood and how one of her personality traits that were already very strong back there has become one of her greatest skill, 

Her writing style is persuasive, and it flows. In just two paragraphs she can show what she is good at. 

3. Gary Pope#

In this LinkedIn summary example, the Kids Industries and The League co-founder, starts by talking about how he changed his career, and that is something many people can relate to, he can connect with the reader. 

Then, still in the introduction, the first three lines already show some of his accomplishments. That's a great example of how it's possible to say a lot with just a few words. It's challenging, but you can do it as well. 

4. Shanay Smith#

Different from the previous LinkedIn summary example, Shanay Smith starts her summary by talking about her current position as C-Level Executive Assistant and Operation Manager. She explains what she does and how she excels at it. 

However, in the text, she also shows a little bit of her personal life, she talks about how being a mom is so important to her, which gives the reader a view of what she values in life, beyond work. She is able to write a summary that shows her professional qualities but also makes the reader feel closer to her, for example, to send a message. 

5. Sharon Van Dankelaar#

This is a bold LinkedIn summary example. Sharon Van Dakellar uses the strategy of sarcasm and being funny to connect with the reader. Starting with "'Hey {first_name}, let's connect!'

Haha, just kidding! Did you fall for it?", is unusual considering LinkedIn, but makes the reader curious to see what's next. 

Then, she explains in just a few words what she is good at, presents some of her achievements,  and finalizes with a call to action. It's interesting to notice that different from the other examples in this one we see the use of emojis, which can be interesting to include depending on your target audience. 

Start Writing Your LinkedIn Summary#

Now that you have seen some amazing LinkedIn summary examples, the most important thing to write an excellent one for yourself is to start writing. Make drafts, don't think you need to write the perfect bio in the first tentative. 

Write the text, leave it alone for some time, then go back, read it once more, and check what you can enhance. Do that as many times as you think necessary. Select the best LinkedIn summary examples to serve as an inspiration. If you feel insecure, ask a co-worker or a friend to read your bio. Make the most of LinkedIn opportunities.