Making LinkedIn More Magnetic

FACT: Most people have a boring — or worse, completely empty — “About” section on LinkedIn.

And here’s why that matters…

Your About section sits near the top of your profile. That makes it prime real estate.
If you waste it, you’re missing a major opportunity to stand out.

🛑 Your goal is simple: stop them from scrolling.

If a recruiter or hiring manager lands on your profile, your About section should instantly answer:

✅ Who are you?
✅ What do you do best?
✅ Why should I keep reading?

To help you do that, here’s a simple framework I recommend for nearly everyone:

The 3 S’s of a Great LinkedIn “About” Section

(Story → Strengths → SEO)

✅ ABOUT Section Template / Format

1) STORY

Start with a short, compelling story — something interesting that shows how you create value.

Use the S.T.A.R method to structure it:

Situation: What was happening?
Task: What were you responsible for?
Action: What did you do?
Result: What was the measurable outcome?

📌 Pro tip: Add numbers, percentages, revenue, time saved, efficiency gained, etc.
A strong story makes your profile memorable.

Here’s an example of a short but powerful career story:

When I worked for XYZ Company, our profit margins were shrinking on a popular new protein bar — mainly due to the cost of a key ingredient. I was tasked with increasing profitability.

I researched alternative ingredients and found one that performed just as well at 1/5 of the cost. After switching, we reduced cost by $0.24 per bar. With over 1 million bars sold per week, that single change increased profitability by $12.5M per year on just one product.

I then identified other products using the same ingredient, recommended the same improvement, and helped the company save an additional $8M annually.

 

2) STRENGTHS

Next, list 5–7 strengths in bullet form. These should be skills and traits that describe how you work — not generic buzzwords.

Examples (don’t copy — create your own versions!):

• Strategic problem solver who thrives in ambiguity

• Data-driven decision maker with strong business instincts

• High ownership mentality — I treat every project like it’s mine

• Strong communicator who simplifies complex ideas

• Known for building trust and alignment across teams

• Fast learner with a bias toward action

• Calm, organized leader during high-pressure situations

3) SEO (Keywords)

End with a keyword section: 15–20 keywords, separated by commas or dashes.

Why? Because LinkedIn Recruiter searches heavily depend on keywords.
This helps you show up more often — and more accurately.

Examples of keyword types to include:

• Job titles

• Industry terms / acronyms

• Tools/software

• Certifications

• Technical skills

• Functional specialties

Example:

Keywords: Product Management, Business Strategy, GTM, Cross-functional Leadership, Agile, OKRs, SQL, Salesforce, Power BI, Stakeholder Management, Operations, Pricing Strategy, P&L Ownership, Process Optimization, Vendor Management 

If you want your LinkedIn profile to actually open doors, don’t leave your About section to chance—use the 3 S’s to make it memorable, searchable, and impossible to scroll past.

Brian Howard
Job Seeker Pro