Why You Should Write Your LinkedIn Summary in the First Person

Your LinkedIn About section is one of the first things people read when they visit your profile. Whether they’re recruiters, potential employers, or professional contacts, their initial impression of you will often be shaped by these opening lines.

One of the most common questions we’re asked is: “Should I write my LinkedIn summary in the first person or the third person?”

Our recommendation is clear: always write your LinkedIn summary in the first person.

Here’s why:

• First-person writing feels authentic. It mirrors the way you naturally speak and makes it easier for profile visitors to connect with you.

• Third-person writing often feels awkward. Referring to yourself as “Jane is an experienced marketing leader…” can create unnecessary distance between you and your reader.

• It builds rapport. Writing in the first person helps you appear approachable and genuine, encouraging others to reach out or continue reading.

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Think of it this way: LinkedIn is not your CV. It’s a professional social network. People expect to see some personality in how you present yourself.

When you read summaries written in the first person versus the third, which ones feel more human? Which people seem easier to approach?

Chances are, it’s the first-person profiles.

Neil Patel, for example, is an entrepreneur who is looking to grow his brand and drive traffic to his website. As a result, his summary doubles as a sales pitch, so to speak.

Satya Nadella’s about section, on the other hand, is a one-line mission statement. His job title tells most visitors all they need to know.

Andi Pimentel does a fine job weaving her personality traits into her description, providing a stark contrast to Kevin O'Leary's summary that follows.

Note that her profile headline, on the other hand, is simple and straightforward.

Kevin O’Leary’s profile, written in the third person, reads as a standard professional biography.

While we generally recommend writing in the first person, there are circumstances where a third-person professional biography may also work.

If you already have a polished biography prepared for use on a company website, speaking engagement, or conference programme, it can double as your LinkedIn summary. This approach can make sense if you work in a highly traditional or conservative sector where a more formal presentation is expected.

That said, if you are starting from scratch, keep it personal. Writing in the first person makes it easier to tell your story, share your goals, and connect with readers on a human level.

Ultimately, the style you choose should match both your industry norms and the professional image you want to project.

To find out more, visit our website www.cvpilots.co.uk If you have any further questions, you can either book a consultation call with one of our team, or get in touch via email on team@cvpilots.co.uk