Guide · CVs and job hunting · About a 5-minute read
How to write a LinkedIn About section
Your About section is the one part of LinkedIn written entirely in your own words, and most people either leave it blank or paste in their CV. A good one takes about an hour. Here's a simple four-part formula and three examples you can adapt.
The basics
- Limit: 2,600 characters. Aim for 1,000 to 2,000.
- What people see first: the first two or three lines before "see more". That's your hook.
- Voice: first person, plain English, short paragraphs.
- Keywords: the job titles and skills from adverts you want, used naturally.
A four-part formula
- Hook (one or two lines). What you do and who for, in plain words. "I'm a payroll specialist who keeps 400 people paid on time, every time."
- Proof (one paragraph). Two or three results with numbers or specifics: what you improved, saved, built or fixed.
- How you work (one paragraph). Your strengths and what colleagues come to you for. A line about what you enjoy outside work is fine.
- What's next (one or two lines). The roles or projects you want, and how to contact you.
Example 1: experienced professional
I'm a payroll and HR administrator who keeps 400 people across three sites paid accurately and on time.
Over six years at a Midlands logistics firm I moved payroll from spreadsheets to Sage, cut pay queries by about a third, and handled auto-enrolment pensions, statutory sick pay and two TUPE transfers without a single late payment.
People come to me when something doesn't add up. I like tidy processes, clear explanations and fixing problems before they reach anyone's payslip. Outside work I run the treasurer's side of a local junior football club.
I'm looking for a senior payroll or HR operations role in the East Midlands or remote. Get in touch at [work email].
Example 2: career changer
After eight years managing a busy restaurant, I'm moving into operations and project coordination, bringing the same calm under pressure.
I ran a team of 22, managed rotas and a £1.1m annual budget, and cut food waste by 18% by changing how we ordered. In the last year I completed the Google Project Management Certificate and organised two charity events for over 300 guests.
I'm at my best juggling suppliers, people and deadlines at once, and I'm happiest when a plan comes together on the day.
Open to operations coordinator and junior project manager roles in Greater Manchester. Message me here or email [work email].
Example 3: school leaver or graduate
I'm a recent business graduate from the University of Kent looking for my first role in marketing.
For my final-year project I ran the Instagram account for a local café for three months and grew its followers from 600 to 2,100. I've also worked part-time in retail for four years, so I'm used to customers, targets and Saturday rushes.
I'm curious, organised and quick to learn new tools; I've taught myself Canva, Meta Business Suite and the basics of Google Analytics.
I'd love to hear about marketing assistant or graduate roles in Kent or London.
Common mistakes
- Starting with "I am a highly motivated, results-driven professional". Everyone says it; nobody reads past it.
- Writing in the third person as if someone else wrote it.
- One huge paragraph. Break it up so it reads on a phone.
- No numbers. One real figure beats five adjectives.
- Leaving it identical to your CV statement.
Frequently asked questions
- How long can a LinkedIn About section be?
- LinkedIn allows up to 2,600 characters, but only the first two or three lines show before "see more" on most screens. Put your strongest line first. Somewhere between 1,000 and 2,000 characters is usually enough.
- Should my LinkedIn About section be in the first person?
- Yes. "I help small businesses..." reads as a person; "Experienced professional with..." reads as a CV pasted in. First person is the normal style on LinkedIn in the UK.
- What keywords should I put in my About section?
- Use the words that appear in the job adverts you want: job titles, skills, tools and qualifications. Recruiters search LinkedIn using those terms, so mention each important one naturally at least once.
- Is my LinkedIn About section the same as my CV personal statement?
- They overlap, but the About section can be warmer and longer. Your CV statement is three or four lines aimed at one job; your About section explains who you are, what you're good at and what you want next.
- Should I add contact details to my About section?
- A work email at the end is fine and makes it easy for recruiters. Don't add your home address or personal phone number.
Want it written for you?
TCH Works rewrites CVs to a clear UK standard. The full pack is £60: your CV, a cover letter, and your LinkedIn headline and About section, written from your real experience with the keywords recruiters search for. You get Word and PDF files within 2 working days, and we never add experience you don't have. A CV on its own is £25.