LinkedIn · Part of LinkedIn profile optimization guide
How to Write a LinkedIn About Section (With Three Worked Examples)
By RedvicaUpdated October 3, 20268 min read
The About section is where your profile can say what the headline can't: what you do, what you've achieved and what you're looking for. LinkedIn describes it as the place to express your mission, motivation and skills (LinkedIn Help). Visitors tend to read only the opening lines before deciding whether to expand it, so structure matters more than length. All three examples below are invented samples for illustration.
What the About section is for
It's a short first-person introduction for a recruiter, hiring manager or potential collaborator who has landed on your profile. It should tell them in a few lines who you are and why you might fit, and give enough detail for a reader who expands it. It shouldn't repeat your resume line by line; the Experience section covers that.
A four-part structure
- Opening (1 to 2 sentences): who you are and what you do, with your strongest relevant proof. Many visitors read only this part.
- Middle (2 to 3 short paragraphs): your specialties, the kinds of problems you solve, and one or two results.
- Skills line: the tools and keywords people search for, written as a sentence or short list (keyword method).
- Closing: what you're open to and how to get in touch.
Length is flexible. The commonly reported ceiling is 2,600 characters, but the editor's live counter is the real reference, and a shorter About that reads well beats a long one that doesn't. Short paragraphs and line breaks help.
Example 1: early-career (sample)
Weak
Hardworking and passionate recent graduate looking for a challenging role in a dynamic organisation where I can learn and grow.
Better
I'm a statistics graduate who likes turning messy data into clear answers. During my final year I built three dashboards in Power BI for a university logistics project and wrote the SQL that cleaned the data behind them. I'm looking for a junior data analyst role where I can work on reporting for operations or supply chain teams. Tools: SQL, Excel, Power BI, basic Python. You can reach me here on LinkedIn.
Sample text. Use only tools and projects that are yours.
Example 2: mid-career (sample)
Weak
Results-driven marketing professional with extensive experience across channels and a track record of success.
Better
I run paid search and analytics for ecommerce brands. Over six years I've managed campaigns across Google and Meta, and in my current role I rebuilt the reporting setup so the team could see cost per acquisition by product line each week. I'm most useful where there's a lot of spend and not much clarity about what works. I work with GA4, Looker Studio and spreadsheets. Open to conversations about growth roles in online retail.
Sample text. Replace the numbers and claims with your own.
Example 3: career changer (sample)
Weak
Experienced professional seeking new opportunities in a different field.
Better
I spent five years in logistics operations, where I got used to tracking delivery data in Excel. That led me to learn SQL and Power BI, and I've since built two operations dashboards as portfolio projects. I'm now looking for an analyst role where I can combine operational knowledge with data work. Skills: SQL, Power BI, Excel, process improvement.
Sample text. Shows direction honestly without claiming a title you haven't held.
Mistakes to avoid
- Opening with a cliché ("passionate", "results-driven") instead of a specific fact.
- Writing in the third person, which reads stiffly on a personal profile.
- One huge paragraph with no breaks.
- Claims or numbers that don't match your resume (consistency checklist).
- No hint of what you want next, or how to contact you.
- Keyword stuffing at the end instead of using the words naturally.
Edit checklist
- Does the first sentence say what you do and why it matters?
- Is every claim true and consistent with your resume?
- Are your target keywords in there, in natural sentences?
- Would a stranger know what to contact you about?
- Have you read it aloud and cut the filler?
Drafting help
The LinkedIn Optimizer drafts an About section from the facts in your resume and your target role. Treat it as a first draft: edit it into your own voice and check each line for accuracy before you paste it into LinkedIn. For the other profile sections, see the LinkedIn guide.
Frequently asked questions
How long should a LinkedIn About section be?
Long enough to be specific and short enough to read. The commonly reported maximum is 2,600 characters, but many strong About sections use far less.
Should I write it in the first or third person?
First person is the usual choice on a personal profile and reads more naturally.
Do I need to repeat my resume?
No. Use About to frame who you are and what you want, and let Experience carry the details.
Can I use AI to write it?
As a draft, yes, if you edit it into your own voice and make sure every claim is true.
Keep reading
Sources
- LinkedIn Help: Edit the About section on your profile — describes the purpose of the About section