Why Your Linkedin Summary is So Critical

Why Your Linkedin Summary is So Critical Your Linkedin summary is one of the most important parts of your profile, yet it’s usually the part that is the most overlooked. I see this in probably 98% of professionals that come my way for help generating more interest on Linkedin. The Linkedin summary is the profile part that requires the most effort and strategy because it requires time, writing skills, career branding skills and a hint of self-praise, and quite frankly who has time for that?! Despite those who think of Linkedin as just another social network the fact remains: Linkedin has the power to transform your career and attract incredible life-changing opportunities.  Tweet this now! If you slapped together a few sentences or worse yet, completely skipped setting up your Linkedin summary section altogether, it’s time to spend some time getting this right. Here’s why. It’s a Huge Contributor to Your Search Ranking Think about your last Google search.  Did you end up looking through all 20 pages or did you only click on the top 2 or 3 links?  Your Linkedin profile follows the same principle.  No one is going to spend time digging through all 20 pages to find you.  A beefed up summary is necessary if you want to end up anywhere close to page 1.  BTW here are a few more  ways you can be sure youre covered when it comes to SEO and  how your profile ranks. It Contains the Most Compelling Content The summary is the meat of what people are stopping on your profile to read so you better make it interesting. Your professional summary copy/pasted from your resume is not compelling (so dont include in your summary). Readers are hoping to get a glimpse into what makes you so special as a professional and a person. Keep it interesting, honest, strategic and above all authentic! It Sells You More Than Your Resume This is where people are going when they want to know more about you. If you get this wrong, you’re losing valuable traffic opportunities. Since your Linkedin profile is likely what people will see before they ever get to your resume (in fact your Linkedin profile is actually what will compel them to ask for your resume) you must be  selling yourself throughout your profile.  The most important sales script?  You guessed it your summary. It’s the “Free Space” for Keywords SEO Strategy If your Linkedin profile were a bingo card, the summary would be your free space.  If youve been in the job search recently, you will know the importance of keywords.  If you havent, check out this post for the 4-1-1 on keywords.  The Linkedin summary section allows for up to 2000 characters, so make very strategic use of your keywords as  they  will be part of determining  the search results  in which you will appear. Its a Huge Eye-Catcher Opportunity In the world of online platforms,  its all about user experience.  Since your professional profile is being viewed online, its important you are giving other users (hiring managers, recruiters, etc.)  the experience they expect.  Since your readers will scan  your profile from the top down, (similar to a resume)  youll want to give them a place to pause their scroll. If you don’t catch them here there’s no way your experience section will stop them in their tracks. It’s Where You Really Shine If theres one concept thats critical to lifelong career success its this: people hire, buy from, and are influenced by other people.  Tweet this Now!  People work with people they like so  showcasing a bit of personality in addition to professional flare is key. Your Linkedin summary  is where this happens (along  with your Linkedin photo which is equally important). Spend some time getting your Linkedin profile right.  Youll be glad you did.