Having the right LinkedIn headline is crucial for standing out and getting found in LinkedIn searches. But one common question people have is whether their LinkedIn headline should simply be their job title.
The short answer is: not necessarily. While using your job title as your headline can work in some cases, you generally want to go beyond that and create a headline that describes both who you are and the value you provide.
The Purpose of Your LinkedIn Headline
First, let’s look at what your LinkedIn headline is designed to do:
- Summarize who you are professionally in a compelling way
- Communicate the value you can bring to a connection or employer
- Stand out in LinkedIn profile searches
With those goals in mind, a headline that simply states your job title often falls short. It doesn’t provide enough unique context to effectively summarize your professional identity or differentiate you from others with the same title.
How Job Titles Fall Short
Here are some of the potential drawbacks of using your exact job title as your headline:
- It’s generic – Many other people likely have the same job title. This makes it harder for you to stand out.
- It’s limiting – Your job title may not fully or accurately reflect your broader capabilities and value.
- It lacks personality – A basic job title doesn’t convey your unique voice, style or professional brand.
- It’s static – Even if your job title changes, you want your headline to remain consistent.
Key Elements of an Effective Headline
The most effective LinkedIn headlines include some or all of these elements:
- Key skills/expertise – Incorporate 1-2 areas of expertise or key skills that differentiate you.
- Industries/specialties – Mention your top industry or specialty areas if relevant.
- Positioning – Include some words to characterize your professional persona or brand.
- Values – Communicate what matters to you or what principles guide your work.
- Mission – Describe the impact you make or value you add in your roles.
Headline Examples
Here are some examples of strong LinkedIn headlines that go beyond just a job title:
Executive-Level
- Global Marketing Leader | Digital Transformation | Growth Strategist
- Chief Technologist Envisioning the Future of Work | AI | Quantum Computing
- People & Culture Innovator | Employee Experience | Developing Talent
Management
- IT Project Manager | System Migrations | Agile Expert | Improving Efficiencies
- Supply Chain Leader | Logistics Optimization | Reducing Costs | Improving Services
- Sales Manager | Cloud Technologies | Strategic Partnerships | Customer Success
Individual Contributors/Technical Experts
- Software Engineer | Cloud | Microservices | Problem Solver
- Cybersecurity Analyst | Incident Response | Intrusion Detection | Protecting Your Data
- Research Scientist | Nanotechnology | Next-Generation Materials | Commercializing Innovation
Career Changers
- From Finance to UX Design | User Research | Building Intuitive Products
- From Teaching to IT Training | Course Development | Enabling Teams
- From Marketing to Data Analytics | Visualization | Telling Powerful Stories with Data
Tips for Writing Your Own LinkedIn Headline
Follow these best practices when crafting your own compelling, keyword-rich LinkedIn headline:
- Identify your target audience and what matters to them – what value and expertise can you highlight?
- Look at other strong headlines in your industry for inspiration.
- Prioritize showing off your skills vs formal job titles.
- Aim for brevity – summaries longer than 120 characters will get cut off.
- Use descriptive verbs and positioning adjectives.
- Quantify achievements or impact whenever possible – metrics stand out.
- Incorporate relevant keywords – this boosts discoverability.
- Add some personality and human elements vs just credentials.
- Test different versions and get feedback from colleagues.
- Update it regularly as your focus evolves.
Should You Use Your Exact Job Title?
In some cases, using your exact job title in your headline may make sense:
- If you have a very senior or recognizable executive title like Founder, CEO, President, etc.
- If you’re between roles and want to specify your most recent title.
- If your formal title succinctly conveys your capabilities and is unique enough to stand out.
However, in most cases, crafting a more descriptive and keyword-rich headline will better serve you. Just be sure to keep your headline realistic – don’t claim an exaggerated title or expertise you can’t back up.
Get Creative
Your LinkedIn headline is valuable real estate, so take advantage of the space to communicate who you are, what you do best, and the value you offer. Get creative in summarizing your professional brand beyond just your job title.
Test different options and see which ones generate the most profile views, connection requests, and messages. A compelling headline is a key piece of your online presence, so it’s worth the investment to craft one that captures attention.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some LinkedIn headline templates I can follow?
Here are a few LinkedIn headline template formulas you can customize:
- [Position or Key Skills] | [Expertise Areas] | [Specialties]
- [Skills] + [Mission Statement or Impact]
- [Number of Years Experience] + [Skills] + [Specialization]
- [Industry/Field] + [Skills] + [Human Element]
How often should I update my LinkedIn headline?
Plan to revisit your headline every 6-12 months. Update it when you take on new responsibilities, expand your skills, or want to reshape your professional brand. Regular refreshers will keep your headline relevant.
What makes a bad LinkedIn headline?
Bad LinkedIn headlines include ones that are very generic, long and unfocused, overly self-promotional, hard to understand, or inaccurate. Don’t include gimmicky titles you can’t backup or claims that are misleading.
Is a LinkedIn background photo important?
A background photo is less critical than your profile and headline photos. However, a relevant, professional background photo can further reinforce your brand. Just don’t let it distract from your main profile photo.
What are LinkedIn profile tips beyond my headline?
Other key LinkedIn profile optimization tips include:
- Have a professional headshot photo.
- showcase your background experience and key skills in the summary.
- Get endorsements and recommendations.
- Showcase projects, publications, and other content.
- Customize your profile URL.
Headline Type | Pros | Cons |
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Exact Job Title |
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Custom Keyword-Rich Headline |
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Conclusion
Your LinkedIn headline is prime real estate for showcasing your best professional self. Take advantage of the space by going beyond just your job title. Highlight your most sought-after skills, expertise and capabilities. Quantify your achievements. Communicate the value you provide. You want a headline that immediately captures attention.
A well-crafted, keyword-rich headline drives more profile views, connections and engagement. So get creative in summarizing who you are as a professional. Just be sure to keep it concise, compelling and honest. Your headline should illuminate a professional brand that aligns with the rest of your profile content and with how you present yourself in person. With a little thought, you can craft a headline that powerfully communicates the value you provide.