After your photo, the first thing people look at when visiting your LinkedIn profile is your headline. Even if they don’t read any other section of your profile, they’ll read your LinkedIn headline.
Remember, your LinkedIn headline is how you present yourself to the professional world. So it’s worth taking a few minutes to get it right.
In this article, we’ll tell you how to create a LinkedIn headline that tells people who you are, what skills you have, and the value you offer to companies or organizations. We’ll also present you with plenty of LinkedIn headline examples to inspire you.
What is a LinkedIn headline?
A LinkedIn headline is a short blurb that sums up who you are professionally. It’s “your first impression to the reader,” says recruiter Kelli Hrivnak. “Come in strong with a hook that grabs their attention and keeps them reading.”
If you don’t create your own headline, LinkedIn will generate one for you. But it will be basic and boring, leaving out what makes you unique.
Your LinkedIn headline appears right beneath your name and profile picture on your LinkedIn profile page.
How to create a powerful LinkedIn headline
Here’s a basic formula you can follow to help you create an effective LinkedIn headline. You can copy and paste this formula into the writing platform of your choice.
[Current Role/Profession] | [Primary Skills/Areas of Expertise] | [Unique Value] | [Notable Achievement] | [Personal Passion or Career Goal]
Let’s take a closer look at each element of this formula.
1. Include your current role or profession
Your LinkedIn headline should quickly establish your professional identity. Use the exact title you hold at your current company. Include your level of experience, such as “Senior,” “Manager,” “Director,” etc.
If your current job title is not perfectly aligned with your career goals, you can tweak it slightly to better fit your aspirations. But don’t mislead.
- Senior Marketing Manager | SEO & Content Strategy Expert
- Project Manager | Expert in Agile & Scrum Methodologies | Delivering High-Quality Projects On Time
- Software Engineer | Full-Stack Developer | Specialized in React & Node.js | Passionate About Building Scalable Solutions
2. List your primary skills or area of expertise
Many companies now prioritize skills-based hiring. This is why it’s crucial to include any standout skills or certifications in your headline.
To choose skills for your headline, look at job listings to find the most in-demand skills. Then highlight the ones you excel in and that match your career goals.
- Project Manager | Agile & Scrum Specialist | Leading High-Impact Teams
- Graphic Designer | Adobe Creative Suite & UX Design | Creating Engaging Visuals
- Financial Analyst | Data Analysis & Forecasting | Enhancing Business Decisions
3. Highlight your unique value
Your unique value is what makes you stand out from everyone else in your field. It could be your specialized expertise, innovative problem-solving skills, or any other trait that makes you valuable to employers or clients.
- Marketing Manager | SEO & Content Strategy Expert | Growth-Driven Marketing Leader
- Business Analyst | Business Analytics & Data Solutions | Cost-Cutting Strategist
- Data Scientist | Machine Learning & Data Analytics Expert | Innovator in Predictive Modeling
4. Include a measurable accomplishment (optional)
If possible, try to include a measurable accomplishment in your LinkedIn headline. A measurable accomplishment uses numbers to show the impact you had. Tangible results are a powerful way to boost your credibility.
- Project Manager | Agile & Scrum Specialist | Efficiency-Driven Leader | Delivered Projects 15% Under Budget
- Sales Director | B2B Sales & Account Management | Revenue Growth Strategist | Boosted Revenue by $1.5M in FY2023
- Customer Experience Manager | Service Improvement Specialist | Champion of Customer Satisfaction | Raised Satisfaction Scores by 30%
5. Mention a personal passion or career goal (optional)
Make your LinkedIn headline more compelling by adding your personal passion or career goal. This highlights your enthusiasm and helps you connect with others who share your interests and values.
- Marketing Manager | SEO & Content Strategy Expert | Proven Engagement Innovator | Increased Website Traffic by 200% | Passionate About Digital Transformation
- Data Scientist | Machine Learning & Data Analytics Expert | Innovator in Predictive Modeling | Improved Forecast Accuracy by 25% | Dedicated to AI Advancements
- Sales Director | B2B Sales & Account Management | Revenue Growth Strategist | Boosted Revenue by $1.5M in FY2023 | Focused on Building Strong Client Relationships
NOTE: The LinkedIn headline formula we’ve provided is just a handy guide for job seekers. Don’t feel like you have to stick to it rigidly. Tweak the formula to showcase your unique personality.
10 things NOT to say in your LinkedIn headline
How to change your LinkedIn headline
To change your LinkedIn headline, click on the edit button (the “pencil” circled in red in the image above).
You’ll then see an “edit intro” screen. Scroll down until you see the headline section. Update your headline and hit the “save” button.
LinkedIn headers can be up to 220 characters long. This is valuable real estate so try to pack in as much information as you can.
Why is your LinkedIn headline important?
The goal of your headline is to convince people to read the rest of your LinkedIn profile. This is an important first step on a path that could eventually lead to new opportunities.
In fact, studies show that 6 people are hired on LinkedIn every minute.
“A candidate’s LinkedIn presence can make a huge difference in getting an interview, especially in today’s digital world,” says professional resume writer Clair Levy. “Recruiters and hiring managers love to do a little LinkedIn snooping (in a good way!) before deciding who gets that golden ticket to an interview.”
20 LinkedIn headline examples to inspire you
Now that you know how to write a compelling LinkedIn headline, let’s dive into some real-world examples.
1. Show off your skills and drive for growth
“Recruitment Manager | Staffing | Recruiter | Customer Service | Negotiation | Problem Solving | Leadership | Dedicated to Driving Revenue Growth & Building Strong Client Relationships”
Chris’s headline is a dynamic mix of key roles and skills. What really stands out is his commitment to driving revenue growth and building strong client relationships. It’s not just a list of skills; it’s a promise of value and results.
By using all the space provided, Chris makes every character count. It grabs attention and sets the stage for a professional who’s ready to make a big impact.
2. Stand out with awards and roles that scream leadership
“2023 AdWeek Future is Female Winner | Change Agent | Super Connector | Director, DE&I”
Nicole grabs attention right from the start by showcasing an achievement that establishes her as a thought leader. The terms “Change Agent” and “Super Connector” further highlight Nicole’s ability to drive transformation and build powerful networks.
3. Promote your soft skills
“Professional Troubleshooter | Expertly Delivering Branding, Visual Identity, and Digital Marketing Solutions On Time, Within Budget, and To Specification”
Marin brands himself as a “Professional Troubleshooter” who delivers on time and within budget. This showcases his knack for problem-solving, time management, and attention to detail, all crucial soft skills.
4. Show off your mission-driven leadership
“Made to make a difference. | VP of Marketing at Chair Product and Service Innovation Committee”
Justin kicks off his headline with a powerful mission statement, “Made to make a difference.” This immediately grabs the reader’s attention and sets a positive vibe right away.
This headline is a great mix of personal mission and professional titles, making Justin stand out as a dedicated and forward-thinking leader.
5. Highlight your academic excellence and diverse talents
“BBA Scholar, Provost Scholar, Hilltop Scholar, and Meadows Scholar at SMU | Business Management and Dance Performance Majors”
Christina grabs attention right away by showcasing an impressive array of scholarships. Adding dual majors that blend business with creativity makes this profile even more unique and remarkable.
6. Keep it simple while conveying your expertise and leadership
“Data Architect and Tech Leader Driving Innovation in Cloud Solutions | Head of Data and Al at [redacted]”
Sophia’s headline nails it with a clear, no-nonsense approach. She clearly conveys both her professional identity and her impact – the two things a LinkedIn headline needs to do.
7. Be bold and memorable
“Growth and Innovation-minded CXO Leader. Scaling disruptive brands. Customer data ‘truffle pig’. Driving marketing performance and rigor. Creating irrational brand love.”
John’s headline brings the energy. The phrases “scaling disruptive brands,” “customer data truffle pig,” and “creating irrational brand love” are unique and memorable.
8. Use emojis to establish your personality and stand out
“Mental Health Advocate ✨ | Amplifying Quiet Voices 💥 | Proud Introvert 📚 | Creative Soul 🎨 | Keynote Speaker 🎤 | Job Search & LinkedIn Branding 🚀 | Influencer Marketing 💌”
Linda’s headline pops with vibrant emojis. They add a fun, personal touch while showcasing Linda’s advocacy, creativity, and skills.
9. Blend internship experience with academic achievement
“Product Marketing Intern at [redacted] | Enterprise SaaS | Final Year BSc in Business and Management at Brunel University London”
Bastian’s headline is a great example for student interns. It blends work experience, specialization, and education seamlessly, making it perfect for a student intern looking to make a strong impression.
10. Offer your unique value proposition
“Blockchain expert | Founder of [redacted] | International Web3 Speaker | I offer the knowledge, support & solutions founders need to run their businesses better in Web3.”
Your unique value proposition is a brief statement that explains what makes you different and valuable to your target audience.
After establishing himself as an expert and an entrepreneur, Karnika offers his unique value proposition – that he provides “the knowledge, support & solutions founders need to run their businesses better in Web3.”
11. Highlight your studies, goals, and skills if you’re a student
“Electronics Engineering Student | Aspiring Future Embedded Software Developer | Web Development | C++ & C Programming | Content Writing | Python”
Muhammad’s headline is a perfect example for students who feel they don’t have much to say. It begins with Muhammad’s academic identity, followed by his career goals, and then lists his relevant skills.
12. Use buzzwords that resonate in your field
“Passionate Kindergarten Teacher | Expert in Early Childhood Development | Crafting Creative & Inclusive Learning Environments”
Petol’s headline is a fantastic example of using industry-relevant buzzwords. “Passionate,” “creative,” and “inclusive” are terms that strongly reflect the core values of modern education.
13. Highlight specific accomplishments
“Content Marketer| Freelance long-form content writer Bylines in HubSpot, Yahoo Finance, Monday.com, Scribe, Akiflow”
Aanchal’s headline is a great example of how to combine professional identity, specialization, and notable achievements (the list of bylines). It’s simple but effective.
14. Showcase top credentials and specialized expertise
“Magnet & Pathway to Excellence Program Appraiser @ American Nurses Credentialing Center, Accomplished Service Line Nurse Leader, & Internationally Certified Practice Environment Specialist | CCRN, CGNC, HACP-CMS-IC”
This headline shines by putting impressive credentials front and center, all capitalized. This headline immediately establishes credibility and demands attention from the reader.
15. Get the most out of your 220 character limit
“International education enthusiast, Boston College first-year M.A. student, foreign language teacher, editor and translator-empowering students to grow in global citizenship and intercultural competencies”
Noelle’s headline maximizes all available space, packing in passion, education, diverse teaching roles, and a clear value proposition. It’s a perfect snapshot of her commitment to her field.
16. Focus on who you are and the value you offer
“Viral Marketing Strategist for Coaches & Educators | Teaching Creators and Brands How To Dominate Social Media without Ads Media”
This LinkedIn header nails it with just two elements. 1) a clear professional identity and 2) a unique value proposition. This is all you need to stand out.
17. Uses numbers to highlight experience and expertise
“SEO Specialist at [redacted] • 7+ Years of Experience • Worked With 50+ Client’s • SEO Consultant | SEO & SEM Expert | Digital Marketer”
This headline uses numbers to grab attention and build credibility. Overall, it combines identity, experience, and specialized skills, which makes for a compelling LinkedIn headline.
18. Show passion for your field
“Content Marketing Strategist | Social Media Manager | SEO Specialist | Project Manager | UX, Tech, & Al Enthusiast”
Employers and clients love hiring passionate people, and this headline blends professional roles with personal passion.
19. Be specific about the value you offer
“Dynamic Sales Executive | Expert in Consultative Sales & Relationship Building | Revolutionizing Orientation & Recruitment with Video Storytelling Platforms”
Being specific about your value is key, and this LinkedIn header does just that. After establishing her professional identity, Kathleen goes on to explain that she uses “video storytelling platforms” to revolutionize orientation and recruitment.
20. Present a vibrant, engaging personality
“singer/songwriter/trilingual DAngel/This girl? Oh, she’s got a heart of gold, humor as sharp as a tack, and a sassy streak that’s simply delightful! Los Angeles, Berlin, Europe“
This catchy headline showcases Katharina’s personality alongside her professional skills. This can be especially effective if you work in a creative field.
Your headline is the perfect place to add keywords
To find potential candidates, recruiters type keywords into the LinkedIn search bar. These keywords are usually job titles and skills. If your profile includes these keywords, recruiters will see it.
Your LinkedIn headline is prime real estate for these keywords.
But how do you figure out the right keywords to use in your headline? One way is to manually scan job descriptions for positions you’re interested in. Highlight the job titles and exact skills listed, and try to include those keywords in your headline or LinkedIn summary.
A faster and more effective way is to use an online tool.
Jobscan’s LinkedIn Optimization tool compares your LinkedIn profile with relevant job postings. It identifies the exact keywords recruiters are searching for and even scores your LinkedIn profile.
You can see immediate results using this tool. “Once I crafted the profile to match what the recruiters were looking for, it connected and it worked,” said one Jobscan user.
Read more: 28 LinkedIn Profile Tips to Supercharge Your Job Opportunities
Key takeaways
- Your LinkedIn headline is a concise tagline under your name that summarizes who you are, your skills, and the value you can bring to an organization.
- You have up to 220 characters to create your headline, so use this space wisely.
- A good LinkedIn headline can attract more profile views and help you get noticed by recruiters.
- A suggested formula for the best LinkedIn headline includes your current role, primary skills, and unique value.
- A good headline for LinkedIn highlights what makes you stand out, such as specialized expertise or measurable accomplishments.
- Mentioning your personal passion or career goals can make your headline more compelling and help you connect with others who share your interests.
- If you’re changing careers or have no experience, focus on transferable skills, relevant coursework, certifications, and enthusiasm for your new job.
- Use keywords related to job titles and skills that recruiters search for to improve your chances of appearing in search results.
FAQs
For a great LinkedIn headline, aim to capture your professional identity, key skills, and unique value.
Here’s a formula to help you create an effective headline:
[Current Role/Profession] | [Primary Skills/Areas of Expertise] | [Unique Value]
For example: “Marketing Manager | SEO & Content Strategy Expert | Successful Track Record of Driving Growth and Engagement”
A good LinkedIn profile headline is a brief description of your professional role, highlights key skills, and emphasizes your unique value. Aim to make it concise, specific, and impactful to attract the attention of recruiters and connections. For example:
Project Manager | Agile & Scrum Specialist | Delivering Projects On Time and Under Budget
The best LinkedIn headline is one that quickly and clearly communicates who you are, what you do, and what sets you apart. It should be engaging, use keywords relevant to your industry, and reflect your professional strengths and goals.
For LinkedIn users, a professional headline is a brief, impactful summary of your role, expertise, and unique value. It’s designed to grab attention, highlight your key skills, and appeal to your target market.
When you’re between jobs, your LinkedIn headline should emphasize your skills, the type of role you’re seeking, and your value. For example: “Experienced Marketing Specialist | Expertise in Digital Strategy & Brand Growth | Open to New Opportunities.” This approach keeps the headline positive, professional, and forward-looking.
