Key Takeaway: The LinkedIn About section is your digital elevator pitch. It’s where recruiters and connections get a snapshot of your professional story, skills, and goals. Optimizing it can significantly boost your visibility and opportunities.
Why the About Section Matters on LinkedIn
Recruiters spend an average of 7 seconds scanning a LinkedIn profile before deciding to engage. Your About section is prime real estate to make an immediate impact. Unlike the experience section (which lists what you’ve done), the About section explains who you are professionally and what value you offer.
Benefits of a Strong About Section:
- 🚀 Higher search rankings (LinkedIn’s algorithm prioritizes complete profiles)
- 💡 Showcases personality beyond resume bullet points
- 🔍 Attracts opportunities with keyword optimization
- 🤝 Encourages networking by clarifying your goals
Step-by-Step: How to Add or Edit Your About Section
Desktop Instructions
- Log in to LinkedIn and click your profile picture (top right)
- Select “View Profile”
- Under your profile header, click the “Add profile section” button
- Choose “About” from the dropdown menu
- Type or paste your summary (2,600 character limit)
- Click “Save”
Mobile App Instructions
- Tap your profile picture (top left)
- Select “View Profile”
- Tap the “Edit” pencil icon
- Scroll to “About” and tap to edit
- Save changes
Pro Tip: Draft your About section in a separate document first. This allows for spell-checking and length monitoring before publishing.
Optimizing Your About Section for Maximum Impact
Keyword Strategy
Recruiters search using specific terms. Include:
- 🔑 Job titles you’re targeting (e.g., “Digital Marketing Specialist”)
- 📊 Skills (e.g., “SEO, Google Analytics, Content Strategy”)
- 🏆 Achievements with metrics (“Increased web traffic by 150%”)
Structure That Converts
| Section | Purpose | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Opening Hook | Grab attention in 1-2 sentences | “Data-driven marketer passionate about turning analytics into action.” |
| Value Proposition | What you offer uniquely | “Specializing in SaaS content that converts casual browsers into loyal customers.” |
| Proof Points | Quantifiable achievements | “Grew organic traffic from 10K to 75K monthly visitors in 12 months.” |
Visibility Settings: Who Sees Your About Section?
Control this under:
- Profile > Edit public profile & URL (right sidebar)
- Toggle “About” to public or connections-only
Job Seeker Tip: Set to public when actively looking for roles. This allows recruiters to find you even without shared connections.
Critical Use Cases for the About Section
1. Job Searching
Align your text with:
- 📌 Target job descriptions’ language
- 🎯 Clear career objectives (“Seeking senior product management roles in fintech”)
2. Networking
Include:
- 🤝 Collaboration interests (“Passionate about connecting with edtech innovators”)
- 📬 Contact preferences (“Open to speaking engagements about AI ethics”)
3. Personal Branding
Showcase:
- 🌟 Unique perspectives (“Believe customer support is the new marketing”)
- 📚 Thought leadership (“Regular contributor to HR Tech Weekly”)
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- ❌ Writing in third person (use “I” not “John is…”)
- ❌ Overusing buzzwords without context (“dynamic team player”)
- ❌ Leaving it blank or using default placeholder text
- ❌ Making it purely academic (include personality)
Final Checklist Before Publishing
- ✅ Included 3-5 relevant keywords naturally
- ✅ Broken into short paragraphs (max 3 lines)
- ✅ Added a call-to-action (“Let’s connect to discuss…”)
- ✅ Proofread for typos
- ✅ Set appropriate visibility
Remember: Your About section evolves with your career. Revisit it quarterly or when changing roles.