Why the About section matters so much
Your headline creates interest, but the About section confirms whether that interest should continue. English-speaking clients often scan it before they look at experience. They want fast answers: What do you actually do? Who is it for? Why should I trust this profile?
If your About section opens with a biography, the reader has to work too hard to find the commercial point. A stronger version starts with value. It frames your profile like a clear introduction to your offer, not like a formal summary written for internal HR.
The structural mistake francophones make
A typical weak opening sounds like this: I have 10 years of experience in... That sentence is not wrong, but it puts the emphasis on your chronology instead of the client's problem. It tells the reader how long you have been around, not why they should keep reading.
In English, the About section works better as a pitch. The reader should understand your relevance before your history. You can mention experience later, but it should support your positioning rather than replace it. C'est le point clé: start with usefulness, then add credibility.
The 4-part formula that works in English
Hook
Open with the problem you solve or the result you create, not your years of experience.
Who you help
Name the audience so an English-speaking reader can tell in two seconds whether your profile is relevant.
How you help them
Describe the work, process, or specialty that makes your offer concrete and believable.
CTA
End with a next step: message you, book a call, or ask for a sample, depending on your service.
The goal is not to sound clever. The goal is to make your value easy to understand in one screen of text. A direct structure usually feels more credible to Anglo clients than a formal paragraph full of abstractions.
Three before and after examples
These examples show the same shift in three different ways: stop introducing yourself like a dossier and start framing your work like an offer a buyer can understand quickly.
Illustrative Example — not a real client
CV-style About -> pitch-style About for a marketing consultant
Before
I have 10 years of experience in marketing. I worked in different sectors and managed communication, branding, and digital campaigns for several companies.
After
I help B2B companies clarify their positioning and turn complex offers into marketing that is easier to understand and easier to buy. My work covers messaging, campaign strategy, and English-language content for teams selling across Europe. If you need sharper positioning before a launch or sales push, send me a message.
Illustrative Example — not a real client
Too formal French-academic tone -> direct results-focused English
Before
Passionate about supporting organizations in their strategic development, I have had the opportunity to evolve in demanding environments and to contribute to numerous transformation projects.
After
I help organizations deliver change projects with less friction and clearer stakeholder alignment. My background is in complex, high-accountability environments, but my focus today is simple: move projects forward, reduce confusion, and keep teams aligned on execution.
Illustrative Example — not a real client
Missing CTA -> profile with a clear next step
Before
I advise founders on partnerships, growth strategy, and international development. I enjoy working on ambitious projects with companies that want to expand.
After
I help early-stage founders build partnership strategies that open real commercial conversations in new markets. My work usually covers partner targeting, outreach structure, and offer framing. If you are preparing to expand into an English-speaking market, message me and tell me what you are selling.
In every stronger version, the message becomes easier to buy: the value appears earlier, the audience is visible, and the final line creates a next move. That is what makes the About section feel commercial instead of merely informative.
English phrases that signal credibility
Small wording choices change how natural your profile feels. English-speaking clients usually trust direct verbs and plain business language more than literal translations from French.
A useful test is this: if a phrase sounds polite but passive, rewrite it with a visible action. Profiles that say I help, I lead, or I support usually feel more natural than profiles built from abstract nouns and indirect wording.
Avoid: I accompany companies
Prefer: I help companies...
Avoid: I am currently searching for opportunities
Prefer: I work with growth-stage teams on...
Avoid: Responsible for...
Prefer: I lead...
Avoid: Intervening on diverse subjects
Prefer: I support clients with...
Notice the pattern: help, lead, and support are simple, active, and market-facing. They feel less translated and more confident.
Want to know if your About section is working? Get an automated audit for $5.
You will receive an automated profile audit with a structured profile analysis focused on clarity, positioning, and next-step friction.