LinkedIn Summary Tips to Make Employers Stop Scrolling
- Dr. Kristy Taylor, Certified Career Coach
- Sep 4
- 4 min read
Hiring managers don’t read every LinkedIn profile they come across. They skim—fast.
And if your summary doesn’t catch their eye in the first few lines, they scroll right past.
But the goods news is your LinkedIn summary is one of the few places where you control the narrative. It’s your chance to sound human, show confidence, and bring your career story to life.
A boring, outdated summary could be holding you back. A strong one? It can open doors, spark conversations, and lead to opportunities you never saw coming.
Why Your LinkedIn Summary Deserves Attention
Your LinkedIn summary is one of the first things people see when they land on your profile, and it’s one of the few places where you can speak in your own voice.
It’s not just a digital elevator pitch. It’s your opportunity to set the tone for your entire profile, connect the dots between your experience and future goals, and show employers the person behind the resume.
A strong summary helps:
Tell your career story in a way that feels personal and strategic
Build trust by showing confidence, clarity, and authenticity
Hook recruiters within the first few seconds of reading
Highlight what sets you apart beyond your job titles
Increase visibility when keywords match recruiter searches
Many profiles stop at listing jobs and skills, but a thoughtful summary gives your profile personality and purpose. If you want employers to stop scrolling past your name and start seeing your value, this is where it begins.
Now let’s get into the five tips to write a LinkedIn summary that works.
1. Start With a Strong Hook
Think about your LinkedIn summary the way a journalist thinks about a headline. If your opening line doesn’t grab attention, the rest may never get read.
Begin with a line that speaks directly to who you are, what you do, or why you’re passionate about your work. You can open with a career-defining statement, a surprising fact about your path, or a mission that drives you.
Example:
“I help mission-driven organizations turn complex data into clear insights that drive change.”
Or:
“After 10 years in the classroom, I now coach educators on how to grow into district leadership roles.”
Keep it simple. Avoid buzzwords. Make it conversational.
2. Tell a Brief Career Story
Once you’ve hooked your reader, give them a sense of who you are and how you got here. You don’t need a full career history (save that for your Experience section) but a short narrative helps humanize your brand and make your journey relatable.
Highlight what led you into your field, how your role has evolved, and what motivates you now.
Example:
“I started in nonprofit fundraising, but soon realized my passion for systems and operations. Today, I lead program strategy at a national nonprofit, where I combine data, design thinking, and community insights to drive better outcomes.”
Stay focused. Your goal is to show growth, direction, and values.
3. Speak to the Reader You Want to Attract
A great linkedin summary should feel like a conversation between you and the recruiter, hiring manager, or client you want to impress. Write in first person and imagine what they care about. Use plain language that highlights what you’re great at and how you help others succeed.
Think of your summary as your personal pitch.
Prompt to help you frame it:
“I’m the kind of person who ________, and I love helping ________ by doing ________.”
Example:
“I’m a problem-solver by nature, and I love helping organizations grow stronger by improving their HR systems and team culture.”
This type of summary feels clear, personal, and purpose-driven.
4. Include Keywords (Naturally)
Your LinkedIn profile is searchable. Recruiters use filters to find candidates by job title, skills, and industry. If your summary lacks the right keywords, your profile may never be found.
Use job descriptions from roles you’re targeting to identify important keywords and phrases. Then, work them into your summary without sounding robotic.
Example of keyword integration:
“As a certified project manager with experience in agile methodology, stakeholder communication, and cross-functional collaboration, I help tech teams deliver complex projects on time and on budget.”
Don't just list skills. Show how you’ve applied them.
Avoid keyword stuffing. One or two natural mentions go a long way.
5. End With a Clear Call to Action
Don’t leave your reader guessing about next steps. End your summary with a simple invitation, whether it’s to connect, collaborate, or reach out for opportunities.
Example:
“If you're looking for a strategic thinker who brings energy, empathy, and execution to every project, let’s connect.”
Or:
“I’m currently open to full-time roles in corporate training and instructional design. Let’s talk.”
This tells the reader you’re approachable and clear about what’s next.
Your LinkedIn Summary Doesn’t Have to Be Perfect
Your summary is a living part of your profile. The most important thing is that it feels like you, reflects where you’re going, and makes the reader want to learn more.
Even small improvements, like changing your first sentence or adding an achievement, can make a big difference. Don’t overthink it. Speak to your future employer or collaborator with clarity and confidence.
Want to Go Further?
If you’re working on your LinkedIn summary as part of a bigger career reset, we’ve got you covered.
You can now access all three of our Labor Day career strategy workshops inside the Quick Pivot Replay Bundle:
Resumes with Impact: The C.R.A.S.H. Course
The LinkedIn Playbook Masterclass
The 90-Minute Career Pivot
These replays are packed with tips you can use right away, plus each session comes with a Certificate of Completion.
And if you’d rather join us live, our next set of workshops will be held on October 13. You can reserve your spot for one or all three:
Transition Like a Pro: Navigating Career Change with Confidence
The LinkedIn Playbook Master Class: Build Your Career, Network, and Connect
P.A.C.E. Yourself – Interview Like a Pro
These sessions are designed to help you update your brand, feel more confident, and get noticed in today’s job market.
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