The LinkedIn ‘About’ section is a vital personal branding tool. It is often the first impression one leaves, the opportunity to expand one’s network, and likely the most-read version of one’s bio. Despite its significance, many professionals either neglect it or fall into common pitfalls that reduce its impact.
A weak LinkedIn ‘About’ can result in missed opportunities, lost connections, and an unmemorable online presence. An unfilled ‘About’ section leaves the profile incomplete, reducing the chances of standing out. Without an ‘About’ section, the profile is merely a list of facts and not a compelling introduction to who the individual is. This can be easily rectified by writing even a simple paragraph introducing oneself, one’s expertise, and what excites one about their work.
One common mistake is starting the ‘About’ section with a copy of the headline, which is repetitive and a wasted opportunity. The headline has already caught the reader’s attention and confirmed who the individual is. To fix this, one can start with something engaging such as a bold statement, an insight, or a quick story. The first two lines of the ‘About’ should be riveting enough to make the reader keep reading.
The ‘About’ section, once