The Most Misunderstood Box on LinkedIn
Rewriting your “About” so it sounds like the future you
I. Reflection
Most professionals open LinkedIn’s About box and freeze.
Some paste in their job title.
Others abandon it altogether.
Why? Because it’s not just a writing task, it’s an identity moment.
That blank space isn’t asking “What have you done?” It’s quietly asking, “Who are you becoming?” If you can’t articulate it, how is a recruiter going to be able to see it?
So when you don’t have language for it , you default to history.
Let’s fix that.
II. Observation
Here are 4 signs your About section needs a reframe:
You use keywords like “strategic leader” or “growth mindset” without real context
Your tone reads like a corporate brochure, not like you
You skip over what’s next and stay buried in the past
You feel invisible, even with strong credentials
This isn’t just about tone.
It’s about alignment.
If recruiters can’t tell what direction you’re heading, they won’t know where to point opportunity.
III. Transmission
So what does a meaningful About section sound like? Well, like you. But with clarity and searchable keywords. It’s a balance of science and art.
Here are a few identity-first examples with keywords baked in:
“I help quiet leaders navigate noisy transitions. With 15+ years in change management and org design, I specialize in guiding teams through uncertainty with empathy and structure.”
“After a decade in product operations, I’m shifting toward creative strategy. I bring operational rigor, digital fluency, and a knack for narrative clarity to every build.”
“Systems steward with 12+ years in administrative ops and executive support. Currently seeking roles where emotional intelligence and cross-functional coordination fuel calm execution.”
Each one carries direction, personality, and domain language.
Each one invites, rather than simply performing.
IV. Wayfinding Tools
If your About section feels stiff or outdated, try this:
1. Open with truth, not a title
What do you help with? How do you show up?
2. Anchor in keywords, but don’t let them flatten your voice
Pair roles (“project manager,” “HR business partner”) with tone and context.
3. Name your direction
Tell us what you’re moving toward, not just what you’ve done.
4. Try this prompt:
"Write a letter to the hiring manager you'd actually want to work with."
Then shape it into your About section.
And remember: LinkedIn gives you 2,600 characters.
But clarity often starts in the first 220.
V. Closing Signal
Your About box is not a summary.
It’s a mirror.
And if it doesn’t reflect who you’re becoming, it’s not working hard enough.
Rewrite the narrative. Signal the shift.
Let the next chapter begin… in your voice.
VI Monthly Field Guide
🧭 Field Guides are monthly clarity tools; one-page strategy sheets to help you navigate the job search and identity shift with focus and intention.
Each guide is designed to be practical, portable, and easy to apply right away.
For now, they’re available to all subscribers, but eventually, these will become part of the paid tier as my ecosystem grows.
This month’s guide is a LinkedIn Language Audit designed to help you revise your About section with more alignment, tone, and search-ready phrasing.
More soon,
Steve
Loved reading this and also the idea of the monthly field guide :).
This is the section that so many struggle to write. In fact, I leave it for last because it’s my biggest challenge. I appreciate your advice to focus on future-focused content while weaving in anchor terms of skills for searchability.