Samples of LinkedIn profiles and professional bios.

In this economy, jobs are scarce, but candidates are countless. A LinkedIn contact can turn into competition at any time. So be prepared. Transform your LinkedIn profile (or professional bio) into a marketing opportunity with an opener that has stopping power. The most outstanding intros are just personal enough to engage and disarm your reader. After all, there’s nothing more  powerful than likeability. See for yourself with the following profiles.

GRAHAM
This professional musician hired me to craft his dating profile. However, he loved the opener so much, he used it for his LinkedIn profile too.

When I was a boy, I picked up the trumpet and played Louis Armstrong’s “Wonderful World”. It made my Mom cry. I was that bad. Today I play trumpet for a living.

SONYA
After moving to a new city, Sonya also decided  to leave administrative work and get into sales. Despite a lack of experience, she was confident that her many languages would be a huge asset. I kept this in mind when I crafted the intro to her cover letter (she was hired!).

It’s been said that great salespeople know how to listen. If this is so, then that makes me an ideal candidate for the position of Sales Representative. I can listen, as well as communicate in Russian, Ukrainian, Polish and English. I have a working knowledge of Spanish too.

TED
Ted is a chemical engineer who really enjoys speaking engagements. For this reason, his bio needed to be very engaging. I kept the industry jargon in the body copy because that’s what his audience would want. However, I vastly warmed up the intro. When he saw this, Ted exclaimed, “Wow, you make me sound human!”

As a child, Ted liked to blow things up. Fortunately, this path of destruction was averted when he discovered he loved mechanical engineering more than vinegar and baking soda volcanoes.

GHANIA
After a successful run as a VJ in Saudi Arabia, as well as being the host of a popular fashion show, Ghania moved NY to further her career. When I asked what she was wearing when she arrived at LaGuardia, here’s what it inspired:

Ghania arrived in New York wearing sweats and runners and yet – she couldn’t have been more ready for the red carpet.

MARTY
Marty was a young guy who was just starting out in business. His LinkedIn profile was set up to help him apply for an entry level accounting position. We began it in with a fun contrast that didn’t just say what he does, it also spoke to his amiability:

I’m not an aggressive guy, but I can crunch numbers like no one else can.

HOW ABOUT GETTING OFF TO A GREAT START YOURSELF?

Be sure to hire me for your LinkedIn profile so that you too can’t stand out. Right now, your LinkedIn network may be connections. However, at any time, they can also be your competition. So be prepared to stand out.  If you have questions, feel free to contact me.