LinkedIn Profile Tips for Assistants

How to Create a Strong LinkedIn About Summary

The “About” section is your chance to tell your professional story. This is where you can go beyond bullet points and connect with the reader on a personal and professional level. A strong summary should be written in the first person (“I”) to feel more authentic and direct. It should articulate your passion for your work, your core strengths, and the value you bring to an organization. 

Structure for an Effective “About” Section: 

1. Opening Hook: Start with a powerful statement that summarizes your professional identity and what drives you. 

• Example: “I am a dedicated Executive Assistant with over a decade of experience partnering with C-level executives to optimize productivity and streamline operations. I thrive on creating order out of chaos and ensuring my executive can focus on strategic priorities.” 

1. Highlight Key Skills and Expertise: Detail 2-3 of your most valuable skills. Instead of just listing them, describe how you use them. 

• Example: “My expertise lies in complex calendar management across multiple time zones, detailed international travel planning, and confidential project coordination. I am proficient in Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, and various project management tools like Asana and Trello.” 

1. Showcase Achievements with Metrics: Quantify your accomplishments whenever possible. Numbers provide concrete evidence of your impact. 

• Example: “In my previous role, I successfully managed the logistics for our 200-person annual sales conference, coming in 10% under budget. I also implemented a new digital filing system that reduced document retrieval time by 40% for our entire department.” 

1. Describe Your Working Style and Values: What kind of professional are you? Are you proactive, discreet, a natural problem-solver? This helps potential employers understand your cultural fit. 

• Example: “I am known for my unwavering discretion, proactive approach to problem-solving, and ability to remain calm under pressure. I believe that a strong partnership between an assistant and an executive is built on trust, communication, and mutual respect.” 

1. Call to Action: End with a clear statement about what you’re looking for. 

• Example: “I am always open to connecting with fellow administrative professionals and leaders. Please feel free to send a connection request.” 

How to Optimize Your LinkedIn Experience Section

The “Experience” section is where you detail your work history. Instead of just copying and pasting your resume, use this space to tell a story about your growth and accomplishments in each role. For each position, focus on achievements rather than just listing daily duties. In other words, focus on your outputs, not inputs. 

Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to frame your bullet points. This structure provides context and demonstrates the impact of your work. 

• Instead of: “Managed calendars and scheduled meetings.” 
• Try: “Orchestrated complex schedules for three C-suite executives across five time zones, resulting in a 99% on-time meeting start rate and improved cross-departmental collaboration.” 
• Instead of: “Planned company events.” 
• Try: “Led the end-to-end planning and execution of the annual 3-day leadership offsite for 50 attendees, managing a $75,000 budget and negotiating with vendors to save the company $5,000.” 

Tips for Your Experience Section: 

• Use strong action verbs (e.g., Coordinated, Directed, Implemented, Streamlined, Negotiated.) 
• Include 3-5 powerful bullet points for each role. 
• Add relevant media, like links to projects you supported or photos from events you organized (with company permission.) 

Skills Every Assistant Should Feature on LinkedIn

The “Skills” section of your profile is crucial for getting discovered through LinkedIn searches. Recruiters often search for candidates based on specific skills. You can list up to 50 skills, so be comprehensive! 

Categorize Your Skills: 

• Technical Skills: List the software and tools you’re proficient in (e.g., Microsoft Office Suite, Google Workspace, Slack, Asana, Concur, Salesforce). Be specific. 
• Core Administrative Skills: Include foundational abilities (e.g., Calendar Management, Travel Coordination, Event Planning, Expense Reporting, Office Management). 
• Soft Skills: These are critical for assistants (e.g., Communication, Problem-Solving, Time Management, Discretion, Emotional Intelligence, Proactiveness). 

Once you’ve added your skills, you can pin your top three. Choose the three skills that are most important to your career goals and best represent your expertise.

How to Get More LinkedIn Endorsements (and Why They Matter)

Endorsements on LinkedIn are a powerful way to showcase and validate your professional skills to potential employers, colleagues, and industry peers. They are essentially votes of confidence from your network, where individuals vouch for specific skills listed on your profile. When someone endorses a skill, it boosts the visibility of that skill on your profile and signals to others that you genuinely excel in that area.

The value of endorsements lies in their ability to build credibility, as they act as social proof of your expertise, reinforcing your professional brand and strengthening your profile during career advancement opportunities or organizational changes. 

Endorsements from your connections add social proof to your skill set. You can increase your chances of receiving them by: 

• Having a complete and detailed skills section. 
• Keeping your profile updated and active. 
• Ensuring your skills section is up-to-date and relevant.  
• Being proactive by endorsing others to encourage reciprocity.  
• Reaching out to colleagues, supervisors, or clients within your network who can authentically attest to your abilities.  

Pro Tip: Actively engage on LinkedIn by sharing content, commenting on posts, contributing to industry discussions, and networking with professionals in your field. This visibility can inspire others to endorse you.