The LinkedIn headline, also known as the tagline, is one of the most important elements of your LinkedIn profile. It appears right below your name and photo and is often the first thing recruiters and hiring managers see when viewing your profile. Your headline gives them a quick overview of who you are as a professional and what value you can bring to a company or role.
An effective LinkedIn headline makes you stand out from other candidates and encourages viewers to continue reading your full profile. It should be customized for the types of roles you are targeting and highlight your most relevant skills, experience, and achievements. Writing a compelling yet concise headline takes thought and strategy.
Here are some quick tips for crafting the ideal LinkedIn headline as a job seeker:
Keep it concise
You only have 120 characters for your headline, so make them count. Get right to the point and include key information about your professional identity and goals. Avoid fluff, cliches, and repetitive phrasing.
Tailor it for each application
Customize your headline for each application rather than having one generic headline. Research the company and role you are applying for and incorporate relevant keywords. This signals to the recruiter that you took time to understand their needs.
Lead with your top strength or skill
Since your headline is brief, be strategic about what you highlight first. Lead with your top skill, achievement, certification, or other strength to grab attention fast.
Structure it like a compelling title
Write your headline using powerful action verbs and nouns to intrigue the viewer, just like a good title does. Avoid passive phrasing. Go for dynamic statements that convey what you offer.
Quantify your impact
If possible, include metrics, numbers, or data that quantify your achievements and value. This gives tangible evidence of what you can contribute. For example, “Increased sales by 30% in 2 years”.
Leverage keywords
Research terms and keywords frequently used in LinkedIn headlines for your target roles. Work those words organically into your headline without keyword stuffing.
Avoid overused cliches
Phrases like “Passionate”, “Creative thinker”, “Problem solver” are vague and overused. Try to be more specific about your skills and experience.
Be authentic
While you want your headline to align with your target, make sure it is still an accurate representation of who you are as a professional. Don’t exaggerate or make false claims.
Examples of Good LinkedIn Headlines for Job Seekers
Here are some examples of strong LinkedIn headlines for different types of professionals and situations:
Highlighting Certifications
PMP Certified Project Manager – 10+ years driving digital transformation
Six Sigma Green Belt Certified Quality Expert – Process Optimization Specialist
Summarizing Experience
Digital Marketing | SEO | Social Media Campaign Strategy
Product Manager | 5+ Years | Consumer Goods Industry
Communicating Transition
Technical Account Manager – Seeking Product Owner Role in FinTech
Financial Analyst – MBA Student Recruiting Summer 2023 Internships
Pinpointing Expertise
JavaScript Developer | React | Node.js | 5+ Years Experience
UX Researcher and Designer | Expert in Qualitative User Studies
Specifying Goals
Aspiring Machine Learning Engineer Currently Studying Python and TensorFlow
Recent Marketing Graduate – Seeking Entry Level Digital Marketing Role
Location
Software Engineer | San Francisco Bay Area
Account Manager – Boston Area
Key Elements of an Effective LinkedIn Headline
Based on the examples above and best practices, here are the key elements to include in your LinkedIn headline as a job seeker:
Target Keyword
Include 1-2 keywords relevant to your target roles. This signals to recruiters what you specialize in and do.
Key Skills
Highlight 1-2 of your strongest skills, tools, or technical expertise near the start of the headline. Show what you can offer.
Certifications
If you hold relevant certifications for your industry or niche, feature those prominently. They add credibility.
Years of Experience
Briefly summarize your experience level in your field. For example, “5+ years experience” or “Recent graduate”.
Transition or Goal
If you are in a career transition or recently completed a degree, note your current goal. This provides helpful context.
Location
Optionally include your location or willingness to relocate to point recruiters in the right direction.
Measurable Achievements
Quantify your accomplishments with numbers or data if possible. This gives proof of value.
Personality and Specialties
Let a bit of your unique personality and professional brand shine through. What makes you stand out?
Common LinkedIn Headline Mistakes to Avoid
While crafting your headline, be sure to avoid these common pitfalls:
Too Generic
Headlines like “Experienced professional seeking new opportunities” are too generic to be meaningful. Tailor to your niche.
Overused Cliches
Phrases like “passionate” and “strategic thinker” have become cliche. Use specific, quantifiable examples instead.
Exaggerations
Avoid embellishments or exaggerating your skills and experience. Be truthful.
Too Wordy
Max out those 120 characters, but don’t go over. Ramble on too much and key info will get lost.
Spelling or Grammar Errors
Double check for typos, spelling errors, or poor grammar. These mistakes can undermine your credibility.
Dated Information
If your headline references outdated skills, experience, or goals, update it. Keep it fresh.
Too Sales-y or Gimmicky
Avoid overpromising or sounding like an advertisement. Keep your headline professional.
Means Nothing to Recruiters
If your headline is filled with industry jargon or vague concepts, rework it to be clearer to recruiters.
Tips for Headline Visibility
To ensure your strong LinkedIn headline gets seen:
Place it Front and Center
Your photo and headline always appear prominently at the top of your profile. Leverage this prime real estate.
Keep it Consistent
Use the same headline consistently on your resume and other professional materials for maximum impact.
Refresh it Regularly
Revisit your headline every few months and adjust as needed based on your current career situation and goals.
A/B Test Different Versions
Try out a few different headline options and see which gets the best engagement from recruiters.
Ask for Feedback
Get a second opinion from colleagues, mentors, or career coaches to choose the most compelling headline.
Monitor Performance
Check your LinkedIn profile analytics to see your top viewed and engaged with sections. Refine based on insights.
Conclusion
Your LinkedIn headline is valuable real estate for conveying your professional identity and credentials to recruiters. To maximize its impact, craft a customized, keyword-rich headline focused on your target role and audience. Quantify achievements, highlight relevant certifications, and summarize your experience level and skills. Avoid generic or exaggerated phrasing. Regularly update your headline and leverage profile analytics to refine it over time. With this strategic approach, your LinkedIn headline can capture attention and opportunities.
Element | Example | Tips |
---|---|---|
Target Keyword | Digital Marketing Manager | Include 1-2 keywords relevant to your target role |
Key Skills | SEO | Social Media Strategy | Highlight 1-2 of your strongest skills near the start |
Certifications | PMP Certified | Feature relevant certifications prominently |
Years of Experience | 8+ Years Experience | Briefly summarize your experience level |
Transition or Goal | Recent Marketing Grad – Seeking Entry Level Role | Note career transitions or goals if relevant |
Location | Boston Area | Optionally include your location |
Achievements | Increased Sales by 30% | Quantify accomplishments with data if possible |
Personality/Specialties | Digital Marketing Guru | Let your unique brand and personality shine through |
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should you update your LinkedIn headline?
Aim to revisit your LinkedIn headline every 2-3 months and adjust as needed based on your current career situation. When actively job searching, update it more frequently to match target roles.
Should you put your current job title as the LinkedIn headline?
Your current job title can work in some cases. But it’s often better to customize it further based on your goals. Highlight transferable skills, specialties and certifications.
What if you are unemployed or in career transition?
If you are currently out of work, specify your previous title and industry then indicate you are seeking new opportunities or list relevant skills.
Is it better to be creative or professional with your headline?
Stick to a professional tone, but feel free to showcase a bit of creativity and personality if it aligns with your brand and industry.
How much should keywords factor into your headline?
Keyword optimize your headline moderately without going overboard. It should still sound natural and convey your authentic self.