Show, Don't Tell
Don't say "I'm passionate about innovation." Describe the project you built, the problem you solved, or the result you achieved. Specificity beats adjectives.
Include a Call to Action
Tell people what to do next: "DM me if you're struggling with X" or "Connect with me to discuss Y." Make it easy for people to reach out.
Use Line Breaks and Formatting
Walls of text get skimmed. Use short paragraphs, line breaks, and even emojis (sparingly) to make your About section scannable and engaging.
Add Keywords Naturally
Your About section is searchable. Include relevant keywords — job titles, skills, industry terms — in natural sentences. Don't stuff them; weave them in.
Keep It Under 2,600 Characters
LinkedIn's limit is 2,600 characters. That's about 400-500 words. Be concise — every sentence should add value.
Curious how your LinkedIn About section stacks up? Our LinkedIn roast tool analyzes your entire profile and gives you a grade — plus specific suggestions to attract more connection requests and messages.
The First Two Lines Decide Everything
Your About section is truncated behind a "See more" toggle, and most viewers never click it. The first two lines — roughly 90 characters — are the entire advertisement for the rest of the section. If they read like a summary ("Marketing professional with 10 years of B2B experience"), the reader knows what you do but has no reason to read on. The hook's job is not to describe you; it is to earn the click on "See more."
Structure That Rewards the Scroll
Once someone expands your section, structure it in three beats: the hook (two lines), the proof (short paragraphs with numbers and names, one per paragraph), and the invitation (a specific CTA with a low-friction next step). Keep each paragraph under three lines. The section reads faster, looks intentional, and — critically for search — lets keywords sit in natural sentences rather than a stuffed list.
What to Cut From Your About Section
- The "hello, I'm..." opener — they already know your name; it is on the profile.
- Buzzword stacks: "dynamic, results-oriented, strategic, passionate" says nothing.
- A list of every tool you have ever loaded — keep the five that matter to your target.
- Career history as a timeline — save that for the Experience section.
LinkedIn About Questions, Answered
How do I write an About section without bragging?
Write it as a story with evidence instead of a list of superlatives. "I led a team that cut onboarding time from eight weeks to three" is a claim supported by a fact; "I am a results-driven leader" is a claim supported by nothing. Readers accept confident facts; they distrust confident adjectives. Let the specifics carry the bragging, and you will not sound like you are bragging.
Should I write in first person or third person?
First person, almost always. First person reads as authentic and conversational, which is what the platform rewards and what a recruiter reading for fit wants. Third person is for when your LinkedIn acts as a corporate bio page, a rare case for founders or public figures. For job seekers, "I" sections convert better than "she/he is" sections.
Do I need keywords in the About section if my headline is optimized?
Yes. The headline gets you found; the About section gets you connected. Recruiters who click in read the About to validate the headline's promise, and LinkedIn's search relevance draws from both. Use the About section to restate, expand, and prove the keywords the headline promised, with enough natural variation to read as a human wrote it.
How personal is too personal in an About section?
Personal is a force multiplier up to the point it distracts from your professional identity. A line about your background or values builds connection; a novel about your hobbies edits your focus. The test: after reading, can the recruiter still state precisely what you do and for whom? If yes, the personality is adding; if no, it is editing.
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