Quick Answer
The recommended best practice is to write your LinkedIn profile using first person pronouns. First person helps create a more personal connection with your audience and shows you are truly the author of your profile. Third person can come across as detached or generic. However, either perspective is acceptable on LinkedIn. The most important factors are having an engaging, authentic voice and highlighting your professional accomplishments.
Should You Use First or Third Person?
When writing your LinkedIn profile, you have two main options for perspective:
- First person – using “I”, “me”, “my”, etc.
- Third person – using your name, “he/she”, “his/hers”, etc.
Here is an example intro in each perspective:
First person:
As an experienced marketing manager, I have a track record of leading successful campaigns and developing innovative growth strategies. My expertise lies in digital marketing, social media management, SEM, SEO, and campaign analysis. I excel at building high-performance teams focused on exceeding KPIs.
Third person:
As an experienced marketing manager, Jane Doe has a track record of leading successful campaigns and developing innovative growth strategies. Her expertise lies in digital marketing, social media management, SEM, SEO, and campaign analysis. She excels at building high-performance teams focused on exceeding KPIs.
The consensus among LinkedIn experts and professional profile writers is that first person is preferable in most cases. Here are some of the benefits of using first person:
Benefits of First Person
- More personal and conversational – First person helps you connect directly with your readers. Third person can come across as stiff, formal or detached.
- Shows you authored the profile – First person establishes you as the true author. Third person implies someone else wrote about you.
- Fosters trust and credibility – First person gives recruiters confidence you wrote the profile and are presenting an authentic view of your background.
- Active voice is engaging – Sentences like “I led marketing campaigns” are more dynamic than “Marketing campaigns were led by [name].”
- Avoids repetition – Repeating your name in third person can sound repetitive. First person adds variety.
However, third person does have some advantages in certain situations:
Benefits of Third Person
- Focuses on achievements – Third person puts the focus on accomplishments rather than “I.” This can work well for fact-based profiles.
- Sounds objective – For some cultures, self-promotion can be frowned upon. Third person can sound more humble.
- Allows flexibility – You can mix first and third person perspective in different sections.
Ultimately, there are no hard rules. Either perspective is acceptable. The most important factors are having an engaging writing style and showcasing your professional accomplishments.
Here are some tips for writing an impactful LinkedIn profile in any perspective:
Tips for an Engaging LinkedIn Profile
- Craft an interesting headline – Summarize your current role and specialty in your headline. Include keywords recruiters search for.
- Lead with an impactful summary – Share your greatest career achievements, skills and specialties in the introductory summary section.
- Use relevant keywords – Research keywords recruiters search for and include them naturally throughout your profile.
- Show don’t tell – Give specific examples that show your impact. Quantify your accomplishments when possible.
- Be concise – Avoid lengthy paragraphs. Use bullet points to organize information.
- Include media – Embed links, presentations, videos, images etc. to showcase your work.
- Customize by section – Tailor your writing style as needed across sections like Experience, Skills, Accomplishments.
- Proofread – Double check for typos, grammar issues and unclear phrasing.
Follow these best practices and your LinkedIn profile will stand out regardless of whether you choose first or third person perspective.
Examples of Strong LinkedIn Profiles
Here are two examples of real LinkedIn profiles with excellent writing:
First Person Example:
Daniel Norris’ LinkedIn Profile
Daniel Norris consistently uses first person on his profile. His writing is conversational and engaging. He includes unique sections like “What I’m passionate about” and “Life outside work” to share his personality.
Third Person Example:
Victoria Brown’s LinkedIn Profile
While mostly written in first person, Victoria Brown uses some third person on her profile. Her summary and experience sections use third person to crisply summarize her background. The profile includes helpful headings and bullets.
Key Takeaways
To summarize the key points on which perspective to use:
- First person is generally recommended for LinkedIn to create a personal connection.
- But third person is also fine if it fits your preferences and goals.
- The most important factors are showcasing your background and achievements.
- Whichever perspective you choose, ensure your profile is well-written and keyword optimized.
- Use sections strategically to highlight your skills, accomplishments, passions and personality.
Focus on crafting a strong profile that captures your career story and makes you stand out as a top candidate. Both first and third person perspectives can be effective. Pick the style that feels right for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some common questions about perspective when writing a LinkedIn profile:
Is first or third person better for LinkedIn?
Experts generally recommend using first person (“I led marketing campaigns that exceeded targets”). It creates a more personal connection and shows you authored the content. But third person (“Sara led marketing campaigns that exceeded targets”) is also perfectly acceptable.
Should I refer to myself in third person?
It’s not recommended to refer to yourself by name in first person profiles (avoid “I, John Smith, have 10 years experience”). But selectively using third person can vary up your sentence structure. Just don’t overdo it.
Is third person unprofessional on LinkedIn?
No, many successful LinkedIn profiles use third person. It can create a crisp, professional tone when highlighting achievements and career history. As long as the writing is strong, third person works well.
Should I switch between first and third person?
It’s fine to mix perspectives if it fits your content. For example, you could use first person for the summary and skills sections to establish your voice, and then third person for the factual experience section. This variety in perspective can help keep your profile engaging.
Is second person okay on LinkedIn?
Generally, second person (“you led marketing campaigns”) reads as awkward on professional profiles and is best avoided. Reserve second person for direct interaction, like messages.
Conclusion
When writing your LinkedIn profile, first person offers a more conversational tone while third person can sound polished and objective. But both are equally acceptable, so use the perspective you feel best captures your professional brand and story. The key is crafting optimized, keyword-rich content that convinces recruiters you are a top performer and the ideal candidate.