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13 Creative LinkedIn Summary Examples & How to Write Your Own

Writing a LinkedIn summary is incredibly difficult. Whether youโ€™re looking for a new job, sprucing up your Linkedin profile after graduating, building your following on the platform, or seeking to engage prospects, youโ€™ll face the following challenge: What should you put on your LinkedIn summary?

A recounting of your prior roles? A list of your accomplishments? Should you write it in first person? Or in third?

Or should you forgo the difficulty of it all and use the standard bio LinkedIn wrote up for you?

The answer to that question is no, but not to worry: Youโ€™ll soon have an enviable and unique LinkedIn summary youโ€™ll be proud to publish.

In this blog post, we’ll dig into what to include in your LinkedIn about section to make it stand out, as well as some examples to give you inspiration. Letโ€™s get started.

Whether youโ€™re a job seeker starting your search on LinkedIn or a tenured professional, your summary should speak to your skills, experience, and professional interests โ€” think of it as your digital elevator pitch.

Hereโ€™s an example:

“I’m a sales rep dedicated to helping local Oklahoma City services businesses grow their customer base and decrease customer churn. I have 6 years of experience in local sales and I’ve consistently met and exceeded my quota throughout my career. Within the last year, I’ve topped our leaderboard six out of 10 months. On average, I close business 10% faster than my peers.”

LinkedIn summaries are hard โ€” especially for salespeople, marketers, and other professionals whose work relies on networking. You’re not targeting recruiters and hiring managers; you’re appealing to potential buyers and clients. On top of finding an interesting and genuine way to describe your professional background, you must also come across as a subject matter expert.

Regardless of your background, writing a good LinkedIn summary is incredibly important.

Why a Good LinkedIn Summary is Important

Writing a LinkedIn summary may feel like an unnecessary step โ€” especially if you keep your profile up to date. You might also see it as unnecessary if you donโ€™t spend a lot of time on the platform or arenโ€™t looking for a job.

But a good LinkedIn summary is crucial for career success. For salespeople, it can be a handy tool for social selling; for other professionals, it could be the gateway to a new career opportunity.

Letโ€™s go over the reasons you should most definitely write a LinkedIn summary.

You get to introduce yourself in your own words.

You no longer have to let your latest role speak for you. A LinkedIn summary will allow you to make a personable first impression and highlight your accomplishments and expertise in a succinct way. While your prior roles may be notable, theyโ€™re not the only things people should know about you.

You get to show your personality.

Add a little flair and humor, or keep it super professional. Either way, your LinkedIn summary will give recruiters and other users a taste of what they can expect if they reach out to you. It can also help recruiters gauge culture fit and help prospects and potential clients get a sense of whether theyโ€™d like to work with you.

You can rank higher in LinkedIn search results.

LinkedIn uses the about section in its algorithm, as well as your LinkedIn headline, current title, and other factors. By writing a keyword-rich LinkedIn summary, you can become more visible to potential prospects and recruiters in search results. If you include keywords such as โ€œcontent,โ€ โ€œmanagement,โ€ and โ€œanalysisโ€ in your bio, you may attract more views.

Ready to get started writing your LinkedIn summary?

Think of your LinkedIn summary as the objective section of your resume: In just a few sentences, it should give the reader a clear idea of who you are, what sets you apart, and what you’re looking for from the viewer.

LinkedIn differs from a resume because resumes are usually shared in job applications or interviews, but someone can review your LinkedIn profile at any time. For that reason, you want to make sure the summary is generally targeted: You donโ€™t want to call out recruiters specifically, not unless youโ€™re looking for a new role.

1. Create a quick outline prior to writing your About section.

While your LinkedIn profile isn’t an academic essay, you should still outline the things you want to say and the order in which you want to say them.

The last thing your audience needs is long, rambling paragraphs with no clear progression from sentence to sentence.

Sticking to a predetermined structure will help you communicate clearly and concisely.

Consider following a format similar to this:

  • Hook: A sentence that makes the reader want to keep reading. Remember: only the first 3 lines are visible when a user enters your profile. With a hook, you ensure they click โ€˜See more.โ€™
  • Mission: Tell the reader why you do what you do.
  • Expertise and Skills: Tell the reader what youโ€™re good at.
  • Accomplishments: Show the reader how your expertise delivered results in the past.
  • Call to Action: Tell the reader what you want them to do after theyโ€™re done reading your summary.

If youโ€™re not sure how to get started, use our free professional bio templates, which you can use to write your LinkedIn bio.

Featured Resource: Free Professional Bio Templates

LinkedIn Professional Bio Templates

Use HubSpot’s free professional bio templates to write a standout LinkedIn summary for your profile.

2. Hook readers with a strong opener.

The goal of the first sentence of your LinkedIn summary is to get your audience to continue reading. That’s why it’s important to pique their interest early and compel them to keep reading.

This tactic is called a hook.

You can hook readers with your LinkedIn summary by opening a loop that can only be closed with further explanation or making a claim so outlandish that it needs further justification.

Hook Example

“It took me more than X sales demos to learn the secret about Y, but since then, something unexpected has happened.”

3. Tell the reader why you do what you do.

People connect with stories and values more than the straightforward “what you do.” While the “what” is important, consider also including the “why.”

Understand what has attracted you to your profession and what your mission is in your role. These will make your LinkedIn profile more emotionally resonant.

Mission Example

“I grew up on the Mississippi River and watched it get clearer over time as manufacturing standards improved. Since then, I knew I wanted to spread the word about sustainability in business environments.”

4. Speak to your industry expertise.

Next, itโ€™s time to bolster your mission with your industry expertise. Describe your background and qualifications in two-to-three sentences.

For example, are you a salesperson using LinkedIn to connect with prospects? Your summary should speak to your expertise in your industry, and your interest in helping people achieve results. Maybe you’re a customer success manager using LinkedIn to connect with customers. Your summary should speak to your expertise in your industry and your availability for consulting.

Industry Expertise Example

“I have 7+ years of sales experience in both SDR and account manager roles.”

5. Call out your specialties and skills.

After highlighting your expertise, tell us what you focus on in 1-2 sentences. For instance, if youโ€™re a digital marketer, do you focus on SEO or social media?

If you recently graduated from college, did you study something specifically within your field?

Calling out your specialties is especially critical in sales. There are many types of sales jobs out there in a vast number of industries with an infinite number of buyer personas and markets. Whether your goal is to appeal to employers or prospects, be sure to call out the things you do well to attract the opportunities best aligned with your goals.

Specialties and Skills Example

“Iโ€™m a mid-market sales executive with experience in direct sales and SAAS product demonstrations.”

6. Provide data to back up your results and prove your expertise.

Itโ€™s time to prove that youโ€™re actually an expert by sharing important data points. No need to give prospective employers a laundry list of your accomplishments โ€” that’s what the section below is for โ€” but it can be impactful to weave a few of your most impressive data points into your summary paragraph.

Proof Example

“Over the past five years, I’ve made it into the President’s Club three times and my closed-won business has seen less than 10% churn during the first 12 months.”

7. Mention if your team is currently hiring and invite people to apply.

This is optional, but it will serve you in several ways. First, it will show that youโ€™re a team player, and second, it will show that youโ€™re committed to both your professional growth and your current companyโ€™s growth.

Itโ€™s a must-have if youโ€™re in the business of recruiting, as this can serve as an excellent recruiting tool. For example, are you a team manager using LinkedIn to recruit for job openings? Your summary should speak to the fact that you have openings, the type of work you do, and why a candidate would want to work at your company.

Team is Hiring Example

“We’re currently hiring account managers for our Pacific Northwest territory. The ideal candidate has 5+ years of sales experience and a demonstrated familiarity with the region. We’re a fast-growing team with no cap on commission. Click here to learn more and apply.”

8. Highlight your professional interests.

Next, itโ€™s time to highlight your professional interests. What do you help others do? Whatโ€™s your goal in doing so? This is different from your skills in that itโ€™s not necessarily as quantifiable or fact-driven. Because these are your interests, you donโ€™t have to provide data to prove them.

Show that youโ€™re committed to pursuing them and be sure to sound passionate about them.

Professional Interests Example

โ€œI’m a sales coach thatโ€™s interested in assisting small teams (five-10 people) optimize their time and workflows so businesses can grow without adding more headcount and reps can advance their careers.โ€

9. Include a call-to-action with your contact information.

Last but certainly not least, include a call-to-action and potentially share your contact information. Are you a freelance or contract worker hoping to find more work on LinkedIn? Your summary should end with how to get in contact with you. If you want to seal the deal, include a list of your most impressive clients.

CTA Example

“Reach me at [email protected] or book time on my calendar here: [Calendar link]. Previous clients include [Your most impressive client], [Your second most impressive client], and [Your third most impressive client].”

If youโ€™re not looking for more work, you can also simply end with, โ€œFeel free to message me โ€” Iโ€™d love to chat.โ€

10. Tip: Break up large blocks of text.

If you find your summary is on the longer side (which isnโ€™t a problem as long as itโ€™s compelling), try breaking up large blocks of text to make it easier to read. When initially viewing a profile, many people are scanning for high-level context. If you are posting long paragraphs, some of your notable highlights can get lost.

Try keeping your text blocks to two or three sentences max, making your summary easier to read and digest.

Your LinkedIn summary should sum up your biggest value propositions for the outcome you’re hoping to achieve. The summary is one of the first things people read when they land on your profile, so write a paragraph that succinctly and convincingly tells the reader why they should keep scrolling. Additionally, close your summary with a call-to-action, such as how to contact you.

Now, let’s discuss what to avoid when crafting your LinkedIn summary.

What (Not) to Put in a LinkedIn Summary

Cheesy or Clichรฉ Terminology

Your profile should be free of terms such as “guru” or “master.” These terms are highly subjective, and donโ€™t speak to your actual skills or abilities. Instead of trying to be a self-proclaimed โ€œguru,โ€ share a tangible piece of work youโ€™ve done that demonstrates your expertise, or describe a specific initiative where your work drove business results.

Your Resume

Avoid copying and pasting points from your resume to your LinkedIn summary. Not only is it redundant because your work history should be up-to-date on your profile, but recruiters and potential connections are looking for a brief introduction to who you are, not a regurgitation of your resume.

Spelling or Grammatical Errors

Weโ€™re all human, and spelling mistakes happen. Before publishing your profile, make sure you review it a few times to catch any misspellings or grammatical errors. Having typos on your profile can challenge your credibility, and can be a distraction from your positive attributes.

Your Full Life Story

LinkedIn summaries are not the place to publish your autobiography (though Iโ€™m sure your autobiography is lovely). If users are scanning your profile looking for relevant information pertaining to a role or opportunity, you want those points to be front and center.

When you update your LinkedIn summary, aim to include information thatโ€™s relevant to the jobs and opportunities youโ€™re open to, and keep things clear and concise.

LinkedIn Summary Examples

If you need some inspiration, good news. These LinkedIn summary examples will help you find the right words.

1. Demonstrate your passion.

LinkedIn summary example that shows passionThis sales professional draws potential customers in by describing his enthusiasm for “building thriving organizations in the education ecosystem” โ€” a goal he probably cares highly about, too.

His next line tells prospects he’s interested in learning their needs, not just selling them. Then he establishes his expertise.

Try it yourself: Describe the most rewarding aspect of your job, whether that’s helping small businesses go mobile or making corporations more efficient. Next, highlight why you’re qualified. How many people or companies have you worked with? What are their average results? Which high-level problems are you well-equipped to solve?

2. Speak to your prospect’s pain.

LinkedIn summary example that speaks to prospects' painWhen actively connecting with prospects on LinkedIn, speak directly to them with your Linkedin profile but do so in a way that says you understand their struggles.

In essence, position yourself as a solution provider rather than a product seller.

This digital marketing and sales expert does this well for his marketing agency by calling out the problem. He does this before introducing himself or his solution.

Try it yourself: Write a whole introductory paragraph appealing to your customer’s pains and emotions without mentioning yourself. You can offer a piece of advice or ask a question.

3. Show some personality.

LinkedIn summary example that shows personalityThis HubSpot inbound marketing specialist shows his personality in his summary. The detail about his previous life as a standup comedian is intriguing, and the line about “realizing his children didn’t like starving” is funny and relatable.

Sally gets more serious in the second section, highlighting his impressive track record at HubSpot.

Try it yourself: Begin your summary with an unexpected, interesting fact about yourself. In your next paragraph, tie it into your sales career.

For example, you might write, “I was the third runner-up of the National Spelling Bee in 1997. (You better believe the spelling of โ€˜euonym’ is now etched into my memory.) These days, I use my innate desire to learn to help customers.”

4. Indicate they’re in the right place.

LinkedIn summary example that shows users they're in the right placeBy calling out the audience you’re targeting, you can get them to self-identify with your message. Specifying who you’re talking to indicates to the audience that they’re in the right place.

This sales consultant and career coach does this in her first sentence when she says, “[I] love being an early stage employee at fast growing and innovative companies where I can make an impact.”

Try it yourself: Identify your buyer persona and then include a description of them in your summary.

5. Make yourself seem approachable.

LinkedIn summary example that's approachableAlthough it might be a bit untraditional to mention your personal hobbies on your LinkedIn profile, it’s a good way to make yourself more human off the bat. A prospect reading this summary might think, “Oh, I also love to travel.” They’ll immediately feel more connected to you.

Try it yourself: List a few of the things you like to do in your free time (steering clear of anything controversial, of course). Then explain why you chose your current role and how your customers derive value.

6. Tell a story.

LinkedIn summary example that tells a storyIt’s worth re-mentioning that stories resonate with people. While your LinkedIn profile includes where you’ve worked and the skills you have, your summary is prime real estate for revealing the real you behind your job history.

This leader in the B2B sales and marketing space does this by sharing her difficulty being a Black woman in sales. Being told this short story about her, we get to know her mission and values as a professional.

Try it yourself: Be vulnerable. Isolate a single moment that encapsulates you as a professional or embodies your values. Then briefly write it as if you were telling this story verbally.

7. Engage prospects.

LinkedIn summary example that engages prospectsThis account executive opens with his mission: Enabling businesses to become more personable using video. His next two sentences help you get to know him on a personal level.

The summary is short enough that readers are guaranteed to finish it โ€” but he makes every line count. He makes you interested in learning more about him.

Try it yourself: In the simplest words possible, state how your company makes its customers’ lives easier, better, more enjoyable, etc. Then reveal something about your background (“I was born in Spain and raised in Texas,” “I’ve lived in Chicago my entire life,” “My hometown boasts the largest Beanie Babies museum in the world”) and end with “Always,” “Constantly,” or “Frequently” followed by your favorite thing to do (“Always reading,” “Constantly cracking dad jokes,” “Frequently juggling.”).

8. Intrigue your readers.

LinkedIn summary example that intrigues readersThis LinkedIn user uses the same formula as the previous โ€” but in reverse. He begins with his former jobs, which immediately tells you he’s (already) had an interesting career. He then tells you what he’s currently up to.

Try it yourself: List your former jobs. If you’ve always been in sales, get creative. Did you ever have a lemonade stand as a child? Were you a camp counselor as a teenager? What was your college gig?

For example, you might write, “Ex-lemonade stand CEO, CMO, and COO; ex-juggler; ex-college tour guide. Currently helping prospective homeowners in Arizona find their next dream place to live. (And still juggling when asked nicely.)”

9. Give a 360-degree view of you, your role, and your company.

LinkedIn summary example that gives a 360-degree viewThis LinkedIn summary showcases the userโ€™s passion and enthusiasm for the role. She highlights her main responsibilities and values, tells the reader why she’s proud to work at The Muse and what sets the business apart, and lists some fun facts about herself.

Try it yourself: Explain why you’re so fired up about coming into work each day. What excites you? Why do you love your company? What makes your product, culture, and/or team different from your competitors? Conclude with four or five personal tidbits about yourself.

10. Win immediate credibility.

LinkedIn summary example that shows credibilityThis user earns instant credibility with her LinkedIn summary.

She starts with a bold statement: “I like to solve problems.” She proves it with multiple examples from her career, then spotlights her specialties. Finally, she describes a few of her interests.

Try it yourself: Use a short, impactful one-liner to highlight why you’re successful or what you’re best at. Give two to four examples of how this skill or desire has manifested itself throughout your life. Discuss your areas of expertise, then wrap it up with your favorite topics of discussion.

11. Share your passion.

LinkedIn summary example that shows passionThis Boise-based consultant and business owner displays her sources of expertise. She concisely shares what inspired her work, and gives potential clients a preview of the benefits they can expect from working with her.

Try it yourself: Do you have an origin story related to your career path? Share a brief description of what has inspired your work, and what makes you want to do the work you do.

12. Speak directly to who you want to serve.

LinkedIn summary example that speaks to whom the person servesFor consultants, business owners, and sales reps, speaking directly to who you want to serve in your LinkedIn summary is a smart approach to take. This career strategist and author does this masterfully in the first few sentences of her LinkedIn summary. By immediately calling in who she aims to serve, she can hook the right readers, increasing her chances of connecting with the right people.

Try it yourself: In the first few sentences of your summary, try writing a hook that would appeal to your ideal customer or client and keep their attention.

13. Highlight your wins.

LinkedIn summary example that highlights the person's winsHave you received any notable awards, or had exciting features highlighting your work? Include them in your summary to build credibility. This Senior Business Development Manager shares relevant awards and accolades in her LinkedIn summary to provide valuable context around her skills and abilities.

Try it yourself: Highlight accolades and wins specifically related to roles you would like to be considered for.

LinkedIn Summary Template

Below is a basic template you can use to customize with your own details for a succinct and effective LinkedIn summary. Make sure to add personal details to make it memorable for readers:

LinkedIn Summary Sample Templateslinkedin summary template

Stand Out with an Exceptional LinkedIn Summary

With these LinkedIn summaries to draw on, you should have plenty of ideas and inspiration for your own description. Make it personal, unique, and engaging โ€” and prospects and potential employers will feel like they know you already.

Editor’s note: This post was originally published in August 2017 and has been updated for comprehensiveness.

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