Here's a secret: nobody reads your About section like a resume. They read it like a story—scanning for the part where they think, "Wait, this person gets me."
Most About sections fail because they read like a job application. The ones that work? They read like the start of a conversation.
Picture this:
A founder lands on your profile. She's got 47 browser tabs open, a cold coffee, and three minutes before her next call. Your About section is competing with Slack notifications and her own wandering thoughts.
Do you open with "Results-oriented professional with 15+ years of experience"? Or with something that stops her mid-scroll?
The structure that works:
Think of it like a movie trailer. Hook them, tell the story, show the payoff, give them a next step.
- Hook (2-3 lines) - The sentence that makes them want more
- Your story (2-3 paragraphs) - Why do you do what you do? What's your journey?
- What you do now (1 paragraph) - Be specific about who you help and how
- Social proof (1 paragraph) - Let the numbers talk
- CTA (2-3 lines) - What should they do next?
Hooks that actually stop scrollers:
- "I've failed at 3 startups. Here's what the 4th one taught me..."
- "Most LinkedIn advice is wrong. After growing to 200K followers, here's what actually works..."
- "Twelve years ago, I couldn't get a single job interview. Last month, 47 companies reached out."
See the pattern? Tension. Curiosity. A promise that the rest is worth reading.
A micro-story example:
Bad: "I'm passionate about helping businesses grow."
Better: "In 2019, I watched a company I loved run out of cash because no one could figure out customer acquisition. That failure haunts me—and drives everything I do now. I've since helped 12 startups avoid the same fate."
Formatting matters:
Your About section is not a novel. It's a billboard.
- Short paragraphs (2-3 lines max)
- Line breaks for breathing room
- Bullet points for achievements (sparingly)
The CTA people actually click:
"Feel free to reach out!" is weak. Be specific:
- "DM me 'PLAYBOOK' for my content calendar template"
- "Currently taking on 2 advisory clients—message me if that's you"
- "Want to chat about [topic]? Grab 15 minutes here: [link]"
Ask yourself:
Would I stop scrolling for this? If your own About section bores you, imagine what it does to strangers.
"The hook is the most important line you will ever write on LinkedIn. If they do not read line one, nothing else matters." - Tim Queen, LinkedIn growth strategist, 200K+ followers
Ready to rewrite your About section?
Use our free LinkedIn About Section Generator to create a compelling summary that converts profile visitors into connections, clients, or opportunities.
Related resources:
- See real examples: 15 LinkedIn Summary Examples That Actually Work
- Try our free LinkedIn About Section Generator to craft your perfect summary
- Complete your profile: The Complete LinkedIn Profile Optimization Checklist
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should my LinkedIn About section be?
Aim for 1,500-2,000 characters. While you have a 2,600-character limit, you want to provide enough depth to be interesting without becoming exhausting. Use short paragraphs and clear line breaks to maintain readability (LinkedIn Help Center, 2025).
Should I write in the first or third person?
Always use the first person ("I help...") on LinkedIn. It feels more personal, approachable, and authentic. Third-person bios often feel cold and corporate, which creates a barrier between you and your audience (LinkedIn Help Center, 2025).
Do people actually read the entire About section?
Most people scan the first 2-3 lines (the hook). If those lines resonate, they will click "see more." From there, they scan for subheadlines, bullet points, and your call to action. Formatting for scannability ensures your key points land (Richard van der Blom, 2025).