How to Write a LinkedIn About Section in the First Person

Your headline gets someone to click. Your About section decides whether they keep reading, reach out or move on. It is the one place on LinkedIn where you can explain your story in your own words.

Many people leave it blank or paste in a resume summary written in the third person. Both are missed chances. Here is how to write an About section that sounds like a real person and still does the work of a sales page.

Why first person works

Writing "I lead operations teams" instead of "This candidate is a results-oriented operations leader" makes you sound human and approachable. LinkedIn is a social platform. People reading your profile are deciding whether they'd like to talk to you. First person makes that easier.

It also keeps you honest. It is harder to write grand, empty claims about yourself in the first person than in the third.

The structure

A clear About section has five parts. You don't need headings inside it, just short paragraphs.

1. The opening hook

The first two or three lines show before the "see more" cut. Make them count. Say what you do and who you do it for, or open with a short line about why you do the work.

• "I help growing companies turn messy operations into simple, repeatable systems."
• "For 12 years, I've cared for patients in critical care units, and I've spent the last four teaching new nurses how to do the same."
• "I build backend systems that stay fast when traffic spikes."

2. What you do and how

In a short paragraph, explain your core work. Name your field, your level and the kinds of problems you solve. Use the words your target employers use, since About text can help you show up in searches.

3. Proof

Give two to four examples of results or achievements. Short lines or a small bullet list work well here. Keep them concrete and honest. If you don't have exact numbers, describe scope instead. Our guide to quantifying resume bullets has ideas.

4. Your skills and strengths

A short list of your main skills helps both readers and search. Keep it to the ones that matter for your next role.

5. What you want next and how to reach you

Close with what you're looking for or open to, and invite contact. This is especially useful during a search.

• "I'm exploring operations leadership roles in logistics and manufacturing. Feel free to message me here."
• "I'm open to conversations about senior backend roles on product-focused teams."

Before and after

Here is an invented example for a project manager.

Before

Results-driven, detail-oriented project management professional with a proven track record of success in delivering projects on time and on budget. Excellent communication skills. Team player.

After

I keep complex projects moving when lots of people, deadlines and moving parts are involved.

For the past eight years, I've managed software and process projects for mid-size companies, usually with teams spread across several departments. I like turning a fuzzy goal into a clear plan everyone can follow.

A few things I've done:

• Led the rollout of a new customer system across four regional offices, with training for every team.
• Rebuilt our project intake process so new requests get scoped and prioritized within a week.
• Coached three coordinators into project manager roles.

Skills: project planning, Agile and hybrid delivery, stakeholder communication, risk management.

I'm open to senior project or program manager roles where cross-team work is the norm. Message me anytime.

The "before" version could describe anyone. The "after" version sounds like one specific person with specific strengths.

Tips by audience

Veterans

Open with what you did in plain terms, then connect it to your target. Skip acronyms and unit names. Mention your clearance only if it matters to your target roles and you are comfortable sharing it. For help with civilian wording, see our guide to translating military experience.

Career changers

Tell the "why" story briefly. Explain what draws you to the new field and which skills come with you. End with the role you're targeting so there is no confusion.

Executives

Focus on scope and outcomes: the size of the organization, the kinds of turnarounds or growth you've led, and your leadership approach. Keep it tight. Senior readers value brevity.

Tech workers

Name your stack and the kinds of systems you build. Link the story to impact on users or the business, not just tools.

Mistakes to avoid

• Copying your resume summary. The About section can be warmer and more personal.
• Writing a wall of text. Use short paragraphs and line breaks. Most people read on a phone.
• Using only buzzwords. Replace "passionate" and "dynamic" with what you actually do.
• Sharing too much. Personal details like health, family issues or the reason you left a job usually don't belong here.
• Forgetting the call to action. Tell people what you're open to and how to reach you.

Make it match

Your headline, About section and resume should tell the same story. If your headline says "Data Analyst" and your About section talks only about teaching, readers will be confused. Our LinkedIn headline formulas can help you align the two.

Your About section is also a written version of your elevator pitch. If you can say it out loud, you can write it. Try our tell me about yourself framework as a starting point.

FAQ

How long should a LinkedIn About section be?

Long enough to tell your story and show proof, short enough to read in a minute or two. Many strong About sections fall in the range of a few short paragraphs plus a brief list. Make sure the first two or three lines work on their own, since that's what shows before "see more."

Should I use keywords in my About section?

Yes, as long as they read naturally. Use the job titles, skills and tools your target employers mention in postings. Avoid stuffing a long list of terms that makes the text hard to read.

Is it unprofessional to write in the first person on LinkedIn?

No. First person is the normal style for LinkedIn About sections. It reads as more direct and personal than third person. Keep the tone professional and the content focused on your work.

Should I mention that I'm job hunting in my About section?

If you are comfortable being public about it, a closing line about what you're open to can help. If you're searching quietly, keep the closing line general, such as being open to conversations in your field. You can also use LinkedIn's recruiter-only open-to-work setting.

Want a first draft built from your resume? Use the LinkedIn profile tools in the Sortie toolkit to generate an About section in your own voice, then edit it to fit.