Why a First-Person LinkedIn Profile Will Help Your Job Search

Trying to attract more traffic to your LinkedIn Profile – and impress employers who drop by to visit?

No matter if you’re in an active job search or just want to be courted for a top career opportunity, you’ll gain a unique advantage by writing your LinkedIn Summary and other sections in first-person.

Why? It helps convey the all-important WIIFM (What’s In It for Me) message that can capture your reader’s attention.

 

1 – It engages me on a different level.

There’s something about reading another “results-oriented professional in the xxx industry” paragraph that just leaves me cold. It’s boring and unoriginal.

However, when your profile tells me about your goals, value proposition, or passion, then I sit up a little faster and take more notice. After all, these aspects of your career are personal and unique to you… and no “proven team player” or “experienced professional” is identical to you.

 

2 – I feel as if you’re speaking directly to me.

Instead of getting the impression that your summary was developed for everyone, I am drawn in when you address ME directly.

Writing in first person forces you to get to the point faster, too. This way, you can tell me why your profile is worth reading and note the salient points in your background.

Online reading is different than reviewing a resume or biography. Social media is designed for engagement and short attention spans. By catering to your online readers, you’re demonstrating a thorough knowledge of social media and its purpose.

While I’m on the subject, let’s not forget that LinkedIn is all about connecting with others to form relationships. Why not remind me that there’s a REAL person (not just a bag of credentials) behind your Profile?

 

3 – I get the impression that you care about my needs.

 

 

A first-person LinkedIn presence allows you to address your target audience, looking them in the eye (so to speak) and asking them where their pain lies.

If you tell me that you’re the solution to my predicament, I’d like to know what you think you can fix, and what you’ve done that has helped others.

All in all, this makes me believe that you care enough to conserve my time, and that you realize my needs (or an employer’s requirements) are important.

So there you have it… reasons why writing your LI profile in first person helps others tune in to your value.

 

If you’re struggling to get your point across on LinkedIn or other social media, take a few minutes to translate your message into your own original thoughts and convey your passion. You’ll be surprised at the results.