Your LinkedIn profile cover letter is one of the first things hiring managers see when they visit your profile, so it’s important to make a good first impression. The cover letter headline, photo, description, and media sections allow you to highlight your skills, experience, and personality. Here are some tips on what to include in each section of your LinkedIn cover to make your profile stand out.
Headline
Your headline appears just below your name and is one of the first things recruiters will see, so pick something that grabs their attention. Include keywords that describe your current role and industry. You have 120 characters to work with, so choose words carefully. For example: “Senior Product Marketing Manager | SaaS | Lead Generation”
Tips for an effective headline:
- Highlight your current job title and company
- Include industry keywords
- Mention your top skills and specialties
- Keep it concise and scannable
Photo
Use a professional headshot rather than a casual photo for your profile picture. Dress professionally as you would for an interview. Look directly at the camera with a friendly smile. Make sure the background is neutral. The photo shouldn’t be cropped – include your entire head and shoulders. If using a mobile phone, shoot horizontally to avoid distortion.
Tips for an ideal photo:
- Wear professional attire
- Smile and look directly at the camera
- Ensure optimal lighting with no shadows
- Use a plain background
- Crop closely around your head and shoulders
- Use a current photo
Description
Use the description section to expand on your headline with 2-3 short paragraphs. Outline your professional background, areas of expertise, and soft skills. Share career highlights and achievements. Align it with the type of position you are seeking. Sprinkle in keywords that apply to your target roles. Write energetically in first-person voice.
Tips for writing an engaging description:
- Open with a summary of your experience
- Include keywords recruiters search for
- List your top skills, specialties, and certifications
- Mention career highlights and measurable accomplishments
- Close with goals and value you bring to employers
- Use bullet points to break up text
- Check for typos/grammar errors
Media
The media section allows you to showcase visuals to reinforce your brand. This could include examples of your work, infographics, slides from presentations, videos, or publications. Choose relevant media that demonstrates skills for the types of roles you want. Add captions to provide context.
Tips for selecting media:
- Pick projects or content that conveys your capabilities
- Use infographics or charts you created
- Include slides from presentations
- Add publications, brochures or reports you authored
- Link to your online portfolio
- Choose clear, high-quality images
- Keep media updates and relevant
- Use caption to explain the media
Formatting Tips
In addition to your content, proper formatting makes your profile cover letter more visually appealing:
- Use bullet points and numbered lists to break up text
- Add line breaks between sections
- Use bold, italics, and caps for emphasis
- Include links to sites, publications, or media
- Check margins, spacing, fonts, and alignment
- Use proper capitalization and punctuation
Proofreading
Finally, carefully proofread your entire cover letter for typos, grammar issues, repetition, clarity, factual accuracy, and conciseness. Read it out loud and check it on multiple devices to catch any formatting problems.
Tips for proofreading:
- Read slowly and watch for errors
- Check facts, figures, and dates
- Look for repetitiveness
- Break up large blocks of text
- Simplify language and trim excess words
- Review formatting across platforms
- Ask someone else to proofread it
Conclusion
A well-crafted LinkedIn profile cover letter helps you make a great first impression on hiring managers. Use keywords, quantify achievements, showcase media, and tell your professional story. Follow the tips outlined above to create a compelling opening statement that complements the rest of your strong LinkedIn profile.
Here is an example table you could include in the article:
| Section | Key Elements | Tips |
|---|---|---|
| Headline | Job title, company, industry keywords | Be concise and descriptive |
| Photo | Professional headshot, good lighting, neutral background | Appear approachable and trustworthy |
| Description | Summary, skills, accomplishments, goals | Use keywords, metrics, bullets |
| Media | Portfolio samples, presentations, publications | Demonstrate relevant skills and expertise |
| Formatting | Good use of text formatting, proper alignment | Enhance readability and visual appeal |
| Proofreading | Check accuracy, typos, repetition | Ensure professionalism and conciseness |
This table summarizes key elements to include in each section of your LinkedIn profile cover letter along with tips for optimizing each part.
In summary, your LinkedIn cover letter should highlight your professional brand in a compelling, authentic way. Use it to tell your story, demonstrate your achievements, and show employers the value you can bring to their organization. Follow the steps above to make your cover letter informative, engaging, and effective.