Your LinkedIn profile headline is one of the most important elements on your profile. It appears right below your name and photo and serves as an elevator pitch summarizing who you are and what you do. With limited space, your headline needs to make an impact and convince viewers to read further. This article will provide tips on crafting an effective LinkedIn headline that stands out.
Why Your Headline Matters
Your LinkedIn headline is often the first thing people notice on your profile. It gives viewers a quick snapshot of your professional identity and value proposition. A strong headline can entice connections to learn more about you, while a weak one can cause them to lose interest and move on. Here are some key reasons your profile headline matters:
- It’s prominently displayed – Your headline sits below your photo on your profile and in search results, giving it high visibility.
- It indicates your professional brand – The headline lets people know at a glance what you do and the value you provide.
- It can boost your search visibility – Headlines containing relevant keywords can help you rank higher in LinkedIn searches.
- It’s clickable – Viewers can click on your headline to go straight to your full profile and learn more about you.
In short, your headline acts as a first impression and advertisement for your capabilities. A compelling, keyword-rich headline can drive profile views, connections, and opportunities.
Headline Requirements and Best Practices
LinkedIn imposes a 120-character limit on headlines. This restriction means you must make every word count. Follow these best practices when writing your own headline:
- Keep it concise and scannable – Get straight to the point with clear, succinct language.
- Emphasize keywords – Include terms and phrases recruiters may search for.
- Communicate your value – Summarize how you can benefit employers or help others.
- Add personality – Give a sense of your personal brand while remaining professional.
- Use power words – Incorporate dynamic verbs like “transform,” “drive,” “create.”
- Avoid overused terms – Steer clear of cliches like “results-driven” or “strategic thinker.”
- Be specific – Share your niche areas of expertise instead of just your job title.
- Include call to action – Add “seeking,” “looking for,” or “open to” to signify you are job hunting.
Keep these principles in mind as you craft and refine your headline over time. Test different options and get feedback from connections.
Headline Examples
It helps to look at examples of strong LinkedIn headlines when creating your own. Here are some headline formulas you can model:
Industry + Keywords
Summarize your industry and area of expertise using keywords viewers may search for:
- Digital Marketing | SEO | Social Media
- IT Professional | Cloud Computing | Cybersecurity
- Accountant | Tax Preparation | Financial Reporting
Value Proposition + Specialization
Communicate the unique value you offer along with your niche or skills:
- Boosting Brands’ Digital Presence through Targeted SEO & Social Campaigns
- Helping Startups Succeed through Strategic Business Planning
- Leading Organizational Change and Developing Innovative Cultures
Keyword + Call to Action
Include relevant keywords and a call to action signaling you are open to opportunities:
- Data Scientist Seeking New Opportunities in Machine Learning
- Marketing Leader Open to New Client Partnerships
- Finance Professional Looking for Growth-Stage Startup Role
Keep testing variations until you create a headline that aligns with your goals and attracts your target audience.
Tips for Different Professionals
Your industry and professional role should inform your LinkedIn headline. Here are tips for some common professions:
Software Engineers
- List your specialty: Front-End Developer, Back-End Expert, Mobile Engineer, etc.
- Specify languages/frameworks: JavaScript, React, Python, .NET, etc.
- Mention platforms: Web, Cloud, IoT, Blockchain, etc.
- Add systems: Linux, MySQL, NoSQL, Docker, Kubernetes, etc.
Marketing Professionals
- Highlight areas of expertise: Digital Marketing, Brand Strategy, Market Research, etc.
- Include key skills: Campaign Management, Content Creation, Event Planning, etc.
- Specify strengths: SEO, Social Media, Email Marketing, Growth Hacking, etc.
- Mention tools: Google Ads, HubSpot, MailChimp, Hootsuite, etc.
Sales Professionals
- Specify role: Account Executive, Sales Representative, Business Development, etc.
- List industry experience: SaaS Sales, Financial Sales, Medical Sales, etc.
- Highlight skills: Cold Calling, Negotiating, Relationship Building, etc.
- Specify results: Achieved 150% quota, Grew territory by 30%, etc.
Human Resources
- Specify function: Recruiting, Talent Management, People Operations, etc.
- List areas of expertise: Sourcing, Onboarding, Performance Management, etc.
- Highlight capabilities: Workforce Planning, Change Management, Labor Relations, etc.
- Mention achievements: Reduced Turnover, Launched DE&I Initiatives, etc.
Tailor your headline to your profession’s important capabilities, technologies, and value areas.
Keywords to Include
Incorporating relevant keywords in your headline allows you to get found more easily by recruiters and opportunities. Consider including these impactful words:
Keywords | Alternative Options |
---|---|
Leadership | Management, Executive |
Strategic | Innovative, Analytical |
Creative | Inventive, Original, Imaginative |
Expert, Specialist | Skilled, Talented, Proficient |
Solutions, Problem-Solving | Troubleshooting, Diagnosing |
Value, Results | Impact, Achievements, Successes |
Sprinkling these dynamic words throughout your headline helps convey your capabilities and professional brand.
Words to Avoid
Some words are so overused in LinkedIn headlines they have become meaningless. Avoid these cliched terms:
- Strategic thinker – This blanket statement applies to nearly anyone.
- Creative innovator – Too vague and tells nothing about your function.
- Thought leader – Unless you are published, this will ring hollow.
- Change agent – How specifically are you changing things?
- Passionate – Passion is demonstrated, not proclaimed.
- Guru, ninja, wizard, rockstar – Cutesy superlatives that sound inauthentic.
- Digital, social, global – Unless these directly relate to your expertise, leave them out.
The more specific and unique your wording, the better. Even common terms like “motivated” or “driven” take up valuable space without adding meaning.
Formatting Tips
Proper formatting can make your headline more scannable and eye-catching. Follow these structural tips:
- Place important keywords and phrases first – Lead with your main professional brand.
- Use parallel structure – Keep parts of headline consistent and balanced.
- Utilize punctuation – Dashes, slashes, and commas break up long headlines.
- Capitalize strategically – Capital letters highlight key words.
- Watch character limits – Concise phrasing ensures the full headline displays.
A cleanly structured headline with strong flow improves readability and impact.
Tone and Messaging
Though limited in length, your headline still needs to convey the right tone and messaging:
- Professional – Avoid overused language, emojis, or attempts at humor.
- Confident – Demonstrate your capabilities without sounding cocky.
- Benefit-focused – Highlight what you offer, not just what you do.
- Specific – Share details about your skills and experience.
- Forward-looking – Use action words like “seeking,” “expanding,” “adding.”
Maintaining a professional, benefit-driven tone will make your headline more credible and appealing.
Optimize for Mobile
Many LinkedIn users view profiles on mobile. Make sure your headline displays effectively on smartphones by:
- Putting important content first
- Using short, single-word modifiers
- Minimizing articles like “a” or “the”
- Optimizing length for small screens
View your headline on a mobile device and tweak as needed so it’s mobile-friendly.
Review and Refresh Frequently
Your headline should evolve as your career develops. Set reminders to revisit your headline every 3-6 months and ask:
- Does it still reflect my professional brand and expertise?
- Can I make it more concise and impactful?
- Are there relevant keywords to add or remove?
- Does it communicate my current goals and interests?
Refreshing your headline ensures it stays up-to-date and aligned with your skills and aspirations.
Tools to Help Build Your Headline
Keyword and headline tools can assist in optimizing your phrasing. Here are some helpful ones:
Tool | How It Helps |
---|---|
LinkedIn Profile Headline Generator | Creates headline options based on your profile details |
Portent’s Headline Analyzer | Checks for issues and suggests improvements |
CoSchedule Headline Analyzer | Rates headline’s emotional impact and clarity |
HubSpot Blog Ideas Generator | Produces headline ideas based on topic |
BuzzSumo | Shows popular keywords in your industry |
Google Keyword Planner | Reveals frequently searched terms and phrases |
AnswerThePublic | Shows autocomplete questions related to your focus |
Leverage these tools to discover relevant terms and create compelling phrasing.
Conclusion
Your LinkedIn headline is invaluable real estate to communicate who you are and attract opportunities. Follow the tips in this article to craft an appealing, keyword-rich headline that makes a strong first impression.
Keep it concise, demonstrate your professional value, and opt for unique phrasing over cliches. Refresh regularly to keep it aligned with your brand and goals. With a compelling, benefit-driven headline, you can showcase your best professional self and propel your career forward.