Passion is the heart of some of the best LinkedIn profile summaries. Opening up about what you love to do adds context to your career. Think about what excites you most professionally — what drives you besides your paycheck?
For inspiration, ask yourself:
Have you ever become so engaged in what you’re doing at work that you lose track of time? What work activity(ies) bring that on?
What’s something you do for fun that uses the same or similar skills you use at work?
Is there any work task(s) you’d do even if you didn’t get paid for it?
When you wake up in the morning, what work duties do you look forward to the most?
Put your job title aside and describe what you do in simplest terms. Sharing the problems you solve, for whom, and how is a great way to demonstrate your skills, industry knowledge, and work style.
For inspiration, ask yourself:
Who are you helping when you do your job?
What’s their main problem and how do you help solve it?
What’s the impact of you doing your job well versus not as well?
If you didn’t do your job, what would happen?
You have the freedom to call out what’s important in your job history and to gloss over what’s not. If you’ve made career pivots or have held seemingly unrelated roles, connect the dots so they make sense. Better yet, frame the discord as an advantage and explain why it sets you apart.
For inspiration, ask yourself:
In what way(s) do your past career choices make sense? In what way(s) do they appear to not make sense? Are there any patterns?
What was missing from your previous job(s) that you enjoy now?
How do you use your undergraduate studies in your work life?
Cite the biggest takeaway from your experience section. Look across roles and combine accomplishments if you can. This is especially applicable if you’re in mid- to late-stage career.
For inspiration, ask yourself:
The greatest compliment I ever got at work was . . .
I’m best known for ___ (hard skill) amongst my coworkers.
I’m the go-to person for all things ___ on my team.
I’ve made X (e.g., number of hires, $ in sales, $ value in acquisitions) in the past X years.
I received X recognition/award/honor for doing Y.
Choose stories and words that show who you are as a person, not just a professional. Great summaries hint at traits such as gratitude, humility, and humor. Authenticity is key, so be honest with yourself. Think of the one trait you’re most known for and weave it in.
For inspiration, ask yourself:
I’m best known for ___ (soft skill) amongst my coworkers.
My friends would describe me as X, Y, and Z.
You wouldn’t be able to detect that I’m __ in an interview, but if we worked together on a project for three months, it’d be clear.
What’s your most unique quality?
Is there anything your friends, family, or coworkers tease you about that you’re secretly proud of?
Round out your identity by sharing a hobby, interest, or volunteer role. Relate your outside passions to your work if you can. If you share a personal story, be sure it serves to reinforce your professional strengths.
For inspiration, ask yourself:
What do you do in your spare time? Why do you love it?
Is there anything you do for pleasure that makes you better at your job? Or give you a different perspective on it?
Is there anything you do for fun that you don’t excel at but keep doing anyway? Why?
To what extent is being a parent, grandparent, or a pet owner a part of your identity?
Stories make you memorable. Leading with “When I was 11 years old . . .” or “My former boss sat me down one day . . .” to reveal why you love learning and development has more punch than just stating, “I’m passionate about L&D.”
Think about what you want your audience to do after reading your summary. An invitation to connect is a great way to end, but depending on your goal, you may ask for something else. Be specific and you’ll be more likely to get what you want.