Thank you to Stacy Smyk-Santiago, one of our certified career coaches, for this article!
With the prolific use of LinkedIn, the job search has evolved into a dynamic networking landscape. Knowing it’s a sure bet that employers will Google you before an interview and recruiters are searching for your talent, it’s time to ramp up your LinkedIn profile and take one career step forward.
It can be overwhelming to learn how to navigate the technical options on LinkedIn on top of learning how to create super star content. It might help to approach it like a puzzle, taking it piece by piece. I recommend first working on your summary statement because it’s a must-have, powerful element in your profile. Here’s some advice to get you started…
What a summary statement is not:
- It is not a copy and paste of the profile statement from your resume
- It does not have a lot of blank space and only one or two sentences that leave the reader hanging
- It is not a boring third person account of your work history
What a summary statement is… The LinkedIn summary section of your profile is where you demonstrate the core of your brand. This is where your passion, purpose, and expertise come to life in a signature melody of energetic narrative and specifically tailored bullets. Claim first person tense and personality here. Ignite the reader with your enthusiasm for your career path. Be creative and entice the reader to connect with you.
What goes into the summary? Start by brainstorming:
- What you’re passionate about
- What you want to offer an employer or client
- What’s important to you and what you stand for
- A list of your specific areas of expertise to highlight your value
Stay tuned, in our next blog post we’ll talk about the formula to write your summary statement and give you a real example as well.
Hallie Crawford and Stacy Smyk-Santiago
Certified Career Coaches
P.S. Get one of the most information-rich career newsletters on the web delivered straight to your email inbox! Check out our Free Newsletter to help you along your career journey today!
