Writing an Outstanding LinkedIn Profile: Writing Tips for Non-native English Speakers

LinkedIn, the Facebook for professionals around the world, is an essential tool for people in international business. Since English is the international language of business, and since most of the content on LinkedIn is in English, many Non-native English speakers may not be confident enough to set up an account or participate in the world of business opportunities that LinkedIn offers.

This article will suggest some tips and guidelines to help Non-native Speakers of English get started and worry a little less. 

What is LinkedIn?

LinkedIn is essentially a networking and news-providing service. Its members include both workers and employers who create profiles which can let them “connect” to each other in an online social network. This network can easily translate into real-world professional relationships.  

LinkedIn is for all workers in International business – both Native and Non-native Speakers of English

On its website, LinkedIn says its vision is to “Create economic opportunity for every member of the global workforce” (LinkedIn, 2021). And while it may not be clear how it creates economic opportunity for many local or manual workers, LinkedIn has almost ¾ billion members, and this means that it is indeed indispensable for the global workforce actively involved in international trade,

With more than 740 million users in over 200 countries, LinkedIn’s grand mission statement of “to connect the world’s professionals to make them more productive and successful” is not an exaggeration. With probably less than 200 million Native English Speaking (NES) users, that means that more than 500 million users are Non-native English Speakers (NNES) and understand very well the challenges of using a non-native language to conduct business. For that matter, it is worth noting that most international business transactions happen between speakers whose native language is not English!

Even so, the Profile page of the LinkedIn user — whether NES or NNES — is like a Resume, and mistakes there suggest a careless and unprofessional character. Therefore, It is important to make the Profile as correct, accurate and engaging as possible.  

So, let’s get into some tips to help you — especially if you are a NNES — to write an attention-grabbing Profile … for the right reasons, of course.

Language tips to optimize your LinkedIn profile

To minimize the time it takes for others to read your profile … and to minimize the number of language mistakes that you might when using a second language … here are some general guidelines to follow:

• Keep the paragraphs short, like newspaper paragraphs
• Keep the sentences short and avoid complicated grammar
• Keep the tone more conversational (which uses simpler vocabulary and sentence structure)
• Keep the vocabulary simple and common, but 
• Use specific vocabulary to describe your experiences and skills, such as “key words” from relevant job ads and “Action words” for experiences
• Highlight achievements with numbers and specific details if possible 
• Use bullets and perhaps some symbols/emojis to make important information stand out
• Get a good English language user to review your writing. 

Content and language tips to optimize your LinkedIn profile

There are several features on a LinkedIn account, but there are 3 main areas on your profile that require content and language attention: 

1. “Headline” phrase under your name
2. “About” Section which is a short summary of you as a professional  
3. “Experience” section, which is like your Resume.

Let’s go through each section and look at some samples and their revision to help you get started.

Headline 

This phrase allows a maximum of 120 characters, and it should be eye-catching because it is the first thing that someone sees on your profile after your name. This short message is like a billboard that briefly describes you, what you do and perhaps how you are passionate about it.  

Let’s take a look at an original and improved version of a “Headline” with revision notes in the middle column. 

Original   🙁 (101 characters)	→ (Revisions)	Improved   🙂 (102 characters)
I am an Advertising Sales Representative and I help many clients make successful branding strategies.	– More concise – no SV0  – Add 1 more strong adjs:  “winning” and “successful” – Add number of successful clients	Advertising Sales Rep helping clients create winning branding strategies. Over 300 successful clients.

About Section

This section provides 2000 characters to let you come alive in the mind of the reader, though it is recommended that you make this section about 1000 characters to be less of a burden on the reader. The About Section gives you the chance to stand out from others and make an impression. Here, you need to describe your past experiences, accomplishments and what you can do well. It is a chance for you to express your passion and personality as well. In short, you need to clearly describe what you can bring to the employer. 

Like an essay, this section can have 3 clear parts: an introduction, main message, and conclusion. 

The Introduction can be a paragraph of 1 sentence that aims to grab the attention of the reader. The Main Message highlights your experiences, skills, personality traits and education and training. These are your values and potential contributions to the company. Finally,  the Conclusion can be a brief summary statement and call to action (CTA).

Now, let’s take a look at an original and improved version of the “About” Section with revision notes (modified from Rubin, n.d.). 

The original is 495 characters:

Every day, I protect sensitive patient information from hackers and cyberattacks. As an information security analyst at Acme Hospital System in Sacramento, I manage the day-to-day flow of information. My work focuses on database management, which means that my job ensures critical computer systems remain active and never fail. My team and I stay updated on the latest trends in information security to keep the Acme Hospital System not only safe but also on the cutting edge. A hospital never sleeps, and the same goes for IT.  

The revised version is improved and expanded (944 characters):

Hi, thanks for checking out my profile! 

Every day, I protect sensitive information on thousands of people from hackers and cyberattacks.

As an information security analyst at Acme Hospital System in Sacramento, I manage the day-to-day flow of information into and out of five hospitals and two emergency centers. My work focuses on database management, which means that my job ensures critical computer systems, medical files, and patient history remain active and never fail. 

My team and I stay updated on the latest trends in information security to not only keep Acme Hospital System safe but also on the cutting edge.

A hospital never sleeps, and the same goes for IT. If everything runs smoothly and nothing suffers a glitch, then I take pride in knowing I did my job. 

If any of the above sounds interesting and you think I could make a contribution to your organization, please send me an invitation to connect. I’d love to hear from you. 

“About” Section Revision notes

In the revised version, you will notice some revisions:

• the paragraphs are shorter and easier to read
• there is a polite and friendly welcome
• the main job duties also add numbers and more specific details that sound more impressive
• the conclusion is a catchy and passionate summary
• the last sentence is a polite call to action (CTA)

The Experience Section

This is a section that mirrors your resume with your specific skills, accreditations, education and work experiences.  However, the Experience section should not have as many details as your resume, and should rather be a summary of your experience that spotlights your main accomplishments. It is important to use specific details and numbers to support your experiences and achievements, if you have them.  

Proctor (2019) recommends a three-step re-writing formula to convert Work Experience from your resume to your LinkedIn Experience Section:

Step 1: Copy the information

• Copy the work experience from your resume over to your LinkedIn profile. Break it up by company or position.

Step 2: Reformat

• Remove the bullet points. Select your major achievements–quantifiable if possible–and remove the rest of the content. Put the most important information in the first four lines (before the cutoff).

Step 3: Edit

• Make your content language like a conversation and engaging. It’s okay to say “I did XYZ.” Switching to the first-person perspective might take some rewriting, but it will make it more readable. Also, get a good English speaker to check your English.

Now, let’s take a look at an example of how a resume duties description compares to a LinkedIn Experience Section  with revision notes in the middle column (modified from Proctor, 2019). 

Resume Experience Section:

Director of Sales, Southwest Region – Chase | Los Angeles, CA                                                               
Led a team of two account executives. Together we managed a portfolio of 50+ clients and agencies. Our client base consisted of Fortune 500 companies from a wide range of industries including Entertainment, Auto, Technology, Fashion, Technology, and Travel.

• Launched the company’s first app download campaign with a re-targeting strategy resulting in a two-day $500K package.
• Managed risk by partnering with clients and other stakeholders for a seamless campaign launch.
• Achieved sales pacing of 70% for the year a 150% year-over-year increase in annual revenue to $7.5M.
• Built relationships to foster better communication between the sales and operations teams, including weekly calls to collaborate on campaigns that resulted in a 33% increase in performance.
• Streamlined client communication to be more responsive and timeline management that increased staff productivity.

In the Revision below for the LinkedIn Experience Section, you will notice that the main information is retained and their is a focus on achievements.

LinkedIn Experience Section:

Led a team that managed a 50+ client portfolio; we launched the firm’s first app download campaign while partnering with stakeholders to minimize risk and to streamline client communication. Increased annual revenue by 150%, and team performance by 33%.

The writing of your Profile is the most important thing you will do on your LinkedIn account, so the writing needs to be clear, concise, correct and effective. The tips offered above will help you here. However, here are some additional bonus tips to enhance your LinkedIn user account:  

• Customize your URL to make it easier to remember
• Make connections 
• Endorse people for skills
• Ask others to endorse you
• Add attachments to the “About” section, such as awards, certificates, case studies, relevant reports or case studies you made, or testimonials; these attachments can be PDFs, photos or videos.

Now you have the guidelines to write an outstanding LinkedIn profile, just do it and get on the network that can help you make connections with over 740 million users who might be a recruiting headhunter, potential business connection, client or partner. 

References 

LinkedIn. (accessed Feb. 1, 2021). “About” on homepage.  https://about.linkedin.com/?trk=homepage-basic_directory_aboutUrl 

Proctor, C. (2019). Writing Your LinkedIn Work Experience Section (Examples + 3 Tips). https://www.zipjob.com/blog/linkedin-work-experience-section/ 
Rubin, D. (n.d.). How to Write a Powerful LinkedIn Profile Summary. https://www.topresume.com/career-advice/how-to-write-a-powerful-linkedin-profile-summary