Virginia Franco
Did you know that after the headline section LinkedIn is the second most widely-read section on your profile? Furthermore, studies show readers spend more than 90% of their total time focused solely on this section.
THE BOTTOM LINE? If you don’t hook the reader with a persuasive Summary Section your chances are slim the reader will feel compelled to take a deeper dive and read about your job history, education, certifications, and awards.
MY RECOMMENDATION? LinkedIn gives you 2000 characters worth of space in the summary section…use them to their full advantage. Here’s how:
#1 MIND YOUR TONE
Unlike a resume that is formal in tone, the tone on LinkedIn is more conversational. This allows you to tell your story in your voice and even use the word “I” without the reader frowning with disapproval.
#2 INCLUDE A VALUE PROP
No doubt you bring something to the table professionally that is unique – this is your value proposition or your brand. Make sure to spell out your value and explain how you stand out in this section.
#3 ENTICE WITH HIGHLIGHTS
Once you’ve outlined your value proposition, what better way to back it up and prove your worth than to include a handful of highlights?
Remember that numbers often speak louder than words, which is why I recommend selecting highlights that include measurable or quantifiable statistics.
#4 INCLUDE SKILLS
Including a list of job-related skills serves two purposes. It’s an ideal place to include keywords that enhance your profile’s searchability and also allows the reader to quickly skim to see that your skills align with positions of interest.
#5 MULTIPLE POINTS OF CONTACT
Make it easy for people to connect by including several options for people to get in touch. While people can always send you a connection request or direct message you, including an email and a mobile number makes it easy for folks to reach you without the hassles of character or word limitations.
STILL STRUGGLING? Check out my LinkedIn summary section at linkedin.com/in/virginiafranco, where I’ve incorporated these points and attained status amongst the Top 1% of viewed LinkedIn profiles.
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