First person or third person for LinkedIn profiles? There is a lot of debate on this one and I am still measuring the value. Recently I switched to first person and will determine after a few weeks which profile seems to get more hits. Why do I like first person?
- It is more intimate
- It offers a more immediate connection to the reader
- It feels more authentic in that I am less likely (most may feel this way) to embellish a skill or an accomplishment I do not possess.
When might I use third person?
- If I am a C-level professional in a medium to large firm.
- If I am not seeking a new career.
- When it serves me better to appear as if my bio was written by another.
- If I am working on behalf of a cause, as a board-member or representing a firm in that the firm wants a sense of cohesion with all profiles that are published
Third party implies stability in a career, a sense of high-level professionalism and is a bit disconnected from the reader. It feels almost as if someone was inportant enough to have another party construct the profile for him/her.
Culturally, we are often accustomed to this style of profile especially from specific professions such as:
- Medical
- Law
- Accounting
- Criminal Justice
There are great arguments for both third person and for first person in LinkedIn profiles. My inclination however, for people transitioning in their careers who do not fall under the categories above, first person may yield better results. One word of caution - be careful about incorporating too many "I" pronouns and language that could come across as too self-indulgent or conceited.
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