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The LinkedIn summary, also referred to as the LinkedIn bio or LinkedIn About section, is a few paragraphs of text that appears right before a LinkedIn user’s list of current and prior roles. LinkedIn gives a limit of up to 2,000 words, but only the first three lines are visible before a visitor has to click ‘See More.’

If you’re a marketing or sales professional like myself, writing a LinkedIn summary is especially hard. You’re not targeting recruiters and hiring managers; you're appealing to potential clients and buyers. To catch their attention, you need to be a little more flashy with your expertise.

When I first crafted my summary almost a decade ago, I simply regurgitated key points in my background: I went to [X] college, then joined [X] company, and so on. Looking back, I was missing a clear narrative to pull it all together.

I also realized that potential clients aren’t just looking for someone with a shiny, perfect track record — they’re looking for a bigger story, a solution to their problem, and a relationship they can trust.

Whether you’re a job seeker starting your search on LinkedIn or a tenured professional, your summary should speak to your skills, experience, and professional interests — think of it as your digital elevator pitch.

Why a Good LinkedIn Summary is Important

Writing a LinkedIn summary may feel like an unnecessary step — especially if you keep your profile up to date. You might also see it as unnecessary if you don’t spend a lot of time on the platform or aren’t looking for a job.

But, from my experience, 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.

Kaitlin Milliken, senior program manager at HubSpot, believes that having a good LinkedIn summary is key for professionals who want to get hired.

“LinkedIn summaries offer a window into your experience,” she says. “If I‘m looking to fill a position, I can see not just where you worked but how those positions play into the narrative of your career. I can understand what type of work you’re most passionate about, so I can see if you're a good fit for a position.”

Let’s go over the reasons you should most definitely write a LinkedIn summary.