How To Write An Impactful LinkedIn Headline (10+ Examples)

A LinkedIn headline is the easiest and most effective way to increase your profile views and get quality connections.

Whether it’s being viewed by business contacts or a recruiter, having a strong LinkedIn headline is key to making your LinkedIn profile stand out.

In this LinkedIn headline example guide, you’ll learn the key elements of an effective headline, tips for crafting yours, and 10 LinkedIn example headlines from real users.

Why Is Your LinkedIn Headline Important?

A LinkedIn Headline section stretches across the top of your profile page introducing your skills, role, and what you do in under 220 characters.

Your LinkedIn headline is the most visible section of your LinkedIn profile.

It appears in newsfeed posts, the “people you may know” section, and LinkedIn job applications.

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LinkedIn has over 1 billion members worldwide, so a compelling headline can be the difference maker that helps you stand out from the competition.

Marketing yourself on LinkedIn is the best way to get connections and job offers. However, it can be difficult for recruiters to find and view your page without an eye-catching headline.

How To Change Your LinkedIn Headline

Changing your LinkedIn headline only takes a few seconds.

Once your headline has been updated, the changes appear immediately.

Feel free to change it any time and experiment with different headlines to see what drives the best results.

How To Write An Effective LinkedIn Headline

An effective LinkedIn headline should include specific keywords to help it rank higher in search results.

Remember, you can change your LinkedIn headline at any time. So experiment and tweak it using different keywords, skills, and job titles to help increase your results.

Include Your Current Role

Your LinkedIn headline is meant to immediately communicate your professional identity. So, the first line should include the current job position you hold.

Be straightforward and honest about your position. The last thing you want to do is mislead recruiters.

List Skills And Expertise

The second line in your LinkedIn headline should include your skills and expertise.
These should align with your other qualifications in the “Skills” section of your page.

Value Proposition

Employers need a reason to hire you, so show what you offer in return.

In the third line of your LinkedIn headline, include the unique value you bring to the table.

Utilize Keywords

When a user searches for people on LinkedIn, the platform scans profiles for specific keywords.

Adding relevant keywords in your headline helps you rank higher in search results.

Include 3 to 5 strategic keywords in your LinkedIn headline. This will give your page visibility in LinkedIn’s search results.

If you’re not sure what keywords to use, try a word cloud generator such as MonkeyLearn Wordcloud Generator.

Copy job descriptions and requirements from some companies you would like to work for and paste them into this tool. Then choose some of the best keywords from the list.

Include Passions And Career Goals (Optional)

If you don’t want to include a value proposition, include your unique passions or career goals.

Recruiters and employers want to know what you’re passionate about and where you want your career to take you.

This makes your LinkedIn headline more personable and allows you to connect with others of similar interests.

Use A LinkedIn Headline Generation Tool

The hardest part of creating an effective LinkedIn headline is deciding how to phrase your talents and achievements. The easiest way to solve this problem is to use a Free LinkedIn Headline Generator. Input a few keywords, and it will generate ideas that you can personalize to suit your needs.

You can then refine your headline with Headline Studio’s Analyzer Tool.

How To Create A LinkedIn Headline If You’re Unemployed

If you are currently unemployed, your LinkedIn headline should include the job title you previously held or the area you specialize in, followed by a quantified sales pitch.

A sales pitch shows measurable results which is a lot better than generic phrases or words.

10 Effective LinkedIn Headline Examples

A well-crafted LinkedIn headline that aligns with the job descriptions of your desired role attracts recruiters to your profile.

We put together 10 LinkedIn headline examples for job seekers at any stage of their career.

1. Showcase Your Education, Goals, And Skills If You’re A Student

This user’s headline is a great example of how students can optimize their headlines for LinkedIn.

He establishes his career goals, next steps, university, and area of study. This shows recruiters that he has ambition and is striving to achieve these goals.

2. Highlight Your Career Goals And Aspirations

Focusing on your career goals is a smart move even if you don’t have experience.

This user includes “aspiring” plus the job title she wants.

These words are important because, without experience, it can seem presumptuous to already call yourself the job you’re targeting.

She then specifies the type of position she is seeking and lists the relevant subskills. This shows she is transparent about her lack of experience.

3. Outline Your Background And Skills As A Beginner

As a user with some experience, you can include words like junior. This typically requires 1 to 3 years of experience.

This LinkedIn user uses “Junior” in her job title to display her growing expertise and acknowledge her early career stage.

She also includes that she is eager and passionate to learn. Employers love to see this enthusiasm, as it demonstrates a strong willingness to grow and adapt to the role.

4. Utilize Your Internship Experience And Academic Success

This user is a perfect example of how to incorporate internship experience into a LinkedIn headline.

She includes her internship at the company she works for, along with her academic accomplishments and successes.

This gives employers a peek into your background and potential without having to view your profile.

5. Present Your Experience And Expertise While Keeping It Simple

In some cases, it’s good to use the full 220 characters in your LinkedIn headline.

However, most recruiters will only spend a few seconds reading your headline, so sometimes it’s better to get straight to the punch.

This LinkedIn user keeps it short and sweet while conveying her experience and expertise.
She starts with her current job title followed by the company she works at. She then lists her key areas of specialization.

6. Highlight Your Accomplishments And Awards

This LinkedIn user perfectly incorporates her awards after stating her career experience.

Showcasing awards demonstrates that you are a credible candidate who can both talk the talk and walk the walk.

So, if you have been awarded with any relevant achievements, be sure to include them in your LinkedIn headline.

7. Share Your Passions

This LinkedIn user expresses personality through her  love for digital marketing and brand storytelling.

Highlighting what excites you within your profession is a great way to attract recruiters to your page.
If your passion aligns with the company’s goals, employers will be more inclined to learn more about you.

8. Use Emojis To Help You Stand Out

This user is a great example of how to utilize emojis in a LinkedIn headline. She clearly explains her expertise while including relevant emojis throughout.

Not only do emojis make your headline fun, but they also catch the eye of employers scrolling endlessly through searches.

9. Emphasize Your Availability For New Opportunities

This LinkedIn user includes her current role and is actively looking for new possibilities.

It’s never a bad idea to state your willingness to explore new job opportunities. This can strike employers’ interests if it aligns with their company.

If you are looking for a job use the “open to work” feature. This will appear in your LinkedIn profile picture and be visible to recruiters.

10. Display Your Unique Personality

Don’t be afraid to sprinkle some fun into your LinkedIn headline. Believe it or not, recruiters appreciate unique headlines that add a personal touch to your page.
This user filled her LinkedIn headline with interests and activities she loves. These passions can be directly related to your industry or entirely unrelated. It’s all up to you!

Adding a touch of your personality can show recruiters a piece of who you are. If they find it appealing then it will prompt them to reach out.

FAQ

How Many Characters Are In A LinkedIn Headline?

A LinkedIn headline consists of 220 characters. Incorporate keywords relevant to your career or the job you are targeting. Some important things to include in your LinkedIn headline include your current role, expertise, skills, and career goals.

How Do I Add A Headline On LinkedIn?

Go to your profile > Select the “Edit” button (pencil-shaped icon) > Scroll and select the headline box > Make any necessary changes > Tap “Save”

Where Is The Headline On LinkedIn?

A LinkedIn headline is located in your profile under your name and profile picture. This section stretches across the top of your profile page introducing your skills, role, and what you do in under 220 characters.

How Do I Create A LinkedIn Headline With No Experience?

If you have no experience, create a LinkedIn headline that includes transferable skills, area of study, passions, and the exact job you are seeking. Keep applying to positions in that field even if you don’t meet the job requirements.