How to Write a LinkedIn About Section That Actually Works
Most About sections say too much or say nothing. This guide walks through a simple three-part structure that communicates who you are and where you are headed.
6 min read
The About section is the most underused space on LinkedIn. Most students either leave it blank or paste in their personal statement. Neither works. The blank section looks like you could not be bothered. The pasted personal statement reads as if you are not sure what LinkedIn is for. This guide shows you a structure that actually works.
The three-part structure
Part 1: The hook
LinkedIn shows only the first two lines of your About section before cutting to 'see more'. Those two lines are your hook — they determine whether anyone reads the rest. A hook is not an introduction. It is a reason to keep reading.
Strong hook approaches:
- –A specific claim: "I have spent the last three years learning what makes a brand memorable — and it is almost never the logo."
- –A question: "What does a hospitality job actually teach you? More than most people expect."
- –A statement of direction: "I am finishing my degree in September and I am looking for a graduate role in data analytics in financial services."
- –A concrete fact about what you have done: "Over the past year I ran the marketing for a 400-member student society with a £3,000 annual events budget."
Part 2: Your story
Your story is 3–5 sentences about who you are, what you study, and what you have done. The goal is to give a picture of you as a person — not just a list of experiences. What drew you to your field? What have you done in university that you found genuinely interesting or challenging? What have you learned from your work experience?
Part 3: Your goal
End with something forward-facing. Where are you heading? What kind of opportunity are you looking for? This is especially important if you are actively job searching — it tells a recruiter exactly why they should reach out.
A worked example
Example About section (Marketing student, placement year):
Over the last year I have managed the social media presence for a student society with 400+ members — growing our Instagram from 200 to 1,400 followers and increasing event attendance by 60%. I am a second-year Marketing student at Bath Spa University with a particular interest in social media strategy, content creation, and brand voice. Outside of my degree, I work part-time in retail — which has given me a sharp understanding of customer behaviour and what actually drives purchase decisions. I am currently looking for a placement year starting in 2025, ideally in a digital marketing team where I can bring both strategic thinking and hands-on content skills. Open to conversations — feel free to connect.
Common mistakes
- –Writing in the third person ('John is a dedicated marketing student...'). Write in first person — LinkedIn is not a CV
- –Using filler phrases: 'passionate', 'driven', 'results-oriented'. These say nothing. Show don't tell
- –Making it too long. 150–250 words is the sweet spot for most students
- –Not ending with a call to action. Tell people what to do — 'feel free to connect', 'reach out if you are hiring in this area', 'open to placement year discussions'
- –Leaving it blank because you are waiting until you have something impressive to say. You already have something to say
💡 Write it, then cut it
Write your About section without worrying about length. Then cut anything that is not adding specific value. Every sentence should be doing something — introducing you, demonstrating capability, or signalling direction. If a sentence does neither, remove it.
For a one or two-sentence summary of who you are and where you are heading — useful as the opening hook of your About section — read Writing a Personal Brand Statement as a Student at /resources/personal-brand-statement.
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