Many people on LinkedIn make the mistake of copying summary statements from their resume into their LinkedIn Summary section. There are three main problems with this strategy:
Problem #1: hackneyed phrases
Often, your resume summary is littered with overused phrases like “Results-oriented team player with a proven track record…” or “Dynamic and motivated initiator with extensive experience…”
If your resume summary looks like the examples above, rewrite it and hire a professional resume writer if necessary. This kind of language doesn’t belong on your resume or your LinkedIn profile.
Problem #2: LinkedIn Real Estate Overview
You have 2000 characters at your disposal for a LinkedIn Summary, vs. three to four lines maximum for your resume summary. Why would you choose not to use all that real estate to say something, really say something, about yourself?
Problem #3: Keywords
Your LinkedIn summary is an essential place to insert keywords if you want to be found on LinkedIn. By inserting a 3-line summary, you lose the opportunity to create keywords in your profile.
Sample Resume Summary – For Resumes Only
Here is an example of a very strong resume summary statement that does NOT belong in a LinkedIn Resume (note that I DO like this statement as a resume summary statement, in fact I wrote it!):
LeeAnn Dance – Producer – Writer – Editor
Award-winning television producer and innovative investigative reporter – experience covering topics ranging from pre-election to international news, with a special focus on East Africa. Creator and writer of highly acclaimed documentaries and promotional videos for non-profit organizations. Eight years as a producer for CNN.
LinkedIn Resume Example – Great Model!
What would a LinkedIn summary look like for LeaAnn? Here’s the statement we wrote for her:
- Award-Winning Investigative Television and Documentary Producer
- Video production and broadcast journalism have been my passions for over 20 years, ever since I received my Master’s in Journalism from Columbia University. I’ve produced everything from groundbreaking news for CNN to promotional videos for nonprofits, and I’m currently hosting a blog radio show for parents relaunching their careers.
- My background in journalism gave me the ability to distill a lot of material and hone in on what is true and important. I can identify the real message that needs to be conveyed, creating a human story that moves and inspires the audience.
- Promotional Videos for Non-Profit Organizations
As a freelance video producer, I specialize in creating high caliber, professional and creative promotional videos for educational and non-profit organizations. I understand the budget constraints of non-profit organizations and will work within a variety of budgets and scopes of work.
Sponsors respond to high-quality video submissions that effectively convey your organization’s message. I’ll take your message, focus it, and transform it into a concise, meaningful series of images, words, and sounds. Then you’ll have the power of impactful video to showcase your organization’s activities at fundraising events and across the web.
- back in force
In addition to being a video producer, I was a stay at home mom for 13 years and am committed to providing resources for women returning to the workforce. My blog *** chronicles my journey and shares information about the return to work process.
Blog topics include emotional roadblocks to relaunch, preparing your resume, updating your wardrobe, and preparing your family for reentry.
Check out my weekly blog radio show on relaunching your career, with guests including authors, career counselors, therapists, and employers. (www.blogtalkradio.com/***)
What works in this example?
- It conveys the story of LeeAnn and her passion (the summary summary does not).
- Contains several keywords that will get LeeAnn found on LinkedIn.
- It covers the different facets of what LeeAnn has to offer.
- Call attention to the subheadings so that readers can easily see what LeeAnn is about. The text is broken up into bite-sized chunks, not so big that no one can read it.
- You have a call to action.
Note that the resume summary does NONE of these five things, although it is perfectly fine as a resume summary.
Can you write a LinkedIn summary statement for yourself that fulfills at least four of the five functions listed above? If so, great, go for it! If you need help, consider hiring a professional to write you a LinkedIn Summary that will help you get found on LinkedIn and have the impact you want on the people who read your profile.