How to Write Your LinkedIn Headline (With 20 Examples)

The biggest mistake people make with their LinkedIn headline? They don’t know what story they’re trying to tell.

Instead of a clear, powerful message, their headline turns into a confusing mix of old jobs, random skills, and lost opportunities.

This is a problem because your headline is one of the most important parts of your LinkedIn profile. It’s the first thing people see when you show up in a search.

In this guide, I’ll show you exactly how to write a LinkedIn headline that tells your story clearly, builds curiosity, and sets you up for new opportunities.

What is a LinkedIn headline?

Your LinkedIn headline is a short blurb that sums up who you are professionally. And it’s more important than you might think.

“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.”

If you don’t create your own headline, LinkedIn will generate one for you. But it’ll be basic and boring, and won’t show off what makes you unique.

Your headline appears right beneath your name and profile picture on your LinkedIn profile page.

How to create a powerful LinkedIn headline

Here’s a simple formula you can use to create an effective LinkedIn headline.

You can even copy and paste it into the writing platform of your choice to get started:

Let’s break down each part of the formula:

1. Add your current role or profession

Your headline should quickly establish your professional identity. Use the exact title you hold at your current company. If it makes sense, include your level of experience too—words like “Senior,” “Manager,” “Director,” etc.

If your current job title doesn’t perfectly match your career goals, you can tweak it slightly to better reflect where you’re headed. Just be careful not to mislead.

2. List your primary skills or area of expertise

Many companies today focus on skills-based hiring. That’s why it’s so important to include your standout skills or certifications right in your headline.

To choose the right skills, take a look at job listings for roles you’re targeting. Find the skills that show up the most. Then highlight the ones you’re great at and that align with your career goals.

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 or innovative problem-solving skills. Or it could be any other trait that makes you valuable to employers or clients.

In today’s competitive market, being just qualified isn’t enough. You need to be memorable.

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.

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.

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.

6. Use an online tool to generate a headline

A faster—and easier—way to create a strong LinkedIn headline is to use an online tool.

Jobscan’s LinkedIn Optimizer includes a headline generator that uses your LinkedIn profile and the job descriptions you’re targeting.

It analyzes your skills, experience, and career goals. Then it creates a customized LinkedIn headline based on what employers are looking for.

Here’s how it works:

Here’s what the headline section of the LinkedIn Optimizer looks like:

The LinkedIn Optimizer doesn’t just analyze your headline. It also looks at your summary section and gives you a Match Score showing how closely your entire profile aligns with your target roles.

This helps you create a stronger, more recruiter-friendly LinkedIn profile that gets you noticed.

You should see immediate results. “Once I crafted the profile to match what the recruiters were looking for, it connected and it worked,” said one Jobscan user.

How to change your LinkedIn headline

To change your LinkedIn headline, first go to your profile. Then click on the edit button in the upper right (it looks like a pencil).

You’ll then see an “edit intro” screen. Scroll down until you see the headline section. Update your headline and hit the “save” button.

Your LinkedIn headline can be up to 220 characters long. It’s valuable space, so make every word count.

Read more: 28 LinkedIn Profile Tips to Supercharge Your Job Opportunities

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’ headline is a dynamic mix of key roles and skills. His commitment to driving revenue and building client relationships stands out. 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” show Nicole’s skills. They highlight her ability to drive change and build strong 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 blends a personal mission with professional titles. It makes Justin stand out as a dedicated, 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, skills, and education perfectly. It’s ideal for a student intern wanting to impress.

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 short statement. It explains what makes you different and valuable to your target audience.

After becoming an expert and an entrepreneur, Karnika offers his unique value. He provides “the knowledge, support & solutions founders need to run their Web3 businesses better.”

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. 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.

10 things not to say in your LinkedIn headline

Key takeaways