Having a strong LinkedIn profile is important for anyone looking for work, whether you are currently employed or not. Your LinkedIn headline in particular is valuable real estate that recruiters and hiring managers will look at to get a quick sense of who you are and what you offer. But coming up with the perfect LinkedIn headline can be tricky, especially if you don’t currently have a job title to include.
Why Your LinkedIn Headline Matters
Your LinkedIn headline appears right below your name at the top of your profile. It typically includes your current job title and company. However, if you are unemployed or a student, you won’t have a job title to put there. Your headline still matters though, because it is one of the first things people notice on your profile and it helps summarize who you are as a professional.
A strong LinkedIn headline makes your profile stand out and shows recruiters and hiring managers the value you could bring to their team. It helps get your profile viewed and positions you as a top candidate. On the other hand, a weak or confusing headline could lead to your profile getting passed over.
What to Include in Your LinkedIn Headline
If you don’t currently have a job, avoid leaving your LinkedIn headline blank or putting something vague like “Seeking New Opportunities.” Instead, construct a customized headline that markets your skills and experience. Here are some elements to include:
Your Ideal Job Title or Field
Listing your target job title or field helps communicate to recruiters the type of role you are seeking. For example: “Aspiring Marketing Manager” or “Digital Marketing Specialist.” Focus on the jobs and career path you want, not necessarily what you have done in the past if it is unrelated.
Your Top Skills or Expertise
Highlighting your strongest skills or areas of expertise gives recruiters a snapshot of what you can offer their company. For example: “Social Media Marketing Strategist” or “Data Visualization Expert.” Focus on skills that would be valuable in your target roles.
Certifications or Credentials
Including relevant certifications or credentials you have attained demonstrates your investment in professional development. For example: “PMP Certified Project Manager” or “SHRM-CP Certified HR Professional.”
Personal Brand or Title
If you do freelance work or have an established personal brand, incorporating your brand name or made-up title can work for your headline. For example: “John Smith, The HR Strategist” or “Mary Jones, Public Relations Guru.” This helps reinforce your expertise.
Education Status
If you are a student or recent graduate without work experience, including your education status can be helpful. For example: “BA Business Marketing Graduate” or “Pursuing MBA in Finance.” This shows you are working to build your skills.
Volunteer Leadership
Highlighting relevant volunteer leadership roles and accomplishments demonstrates your experience. For example: “Passionate Education Advocate (PTA Committee Chair).”
Headlines to Avoid
There are also some headline options that are less ideal when you don’t have an official job title:
- “Unemployed” or “Between Jobs” – These sound negative and desperate.
- “Career Changer” or “Seeking New Opportunities” – These are very generic.
- “Stay-at-Home Parent” – This could give the impression you are not interested in or available for work.
- Job titles for jobs you no longer have or were let go from – Using outdated titles can be misleading.
- Overly promotional language like “Results-driven leader” – This lacks specifics and sounds clichéd.
Headline Examples
Here are some examples of strong LinkedIn headlines to use if you are currently unemployed or a student:
| If you are… | Try using… |
|---|---|
| An accounting student | Pursuing Bachelor’s in Accounting – Projected Graduation June 20XX |
| A recent marketing graduate | Innovative Marketing Specialist – BS in Marketing from ABC University |
| A public relations professional between jobs | Public Relations Leader – Media Relations | Corporate Communications | Brand Strategy |
| A project manager looking to pivot careers | Analytics-Focused Data Scientist – PMP Certified |
| A retail store manager who was laid off | Passionate Retail Professional – Store Management | Client Relations | Visual Merchandising |
| A financial analyst seeking new opportunities | Financial Planning & Analysis Leader – Budgeting | Forecasting | Modeling | Strategic Planning |
| An accountant who stopped working to raise kids | CPA Returning to Accounting After Hiatus – Payroll | GL | AR | AP | Compliance |
Tips for Optimizing Your Headline
Follow these tips to ensure your LinkedIn headline is as compelling as possible:
Lead with Your Best Asset
Put your strongest skill, experience, or credential first so it stands out immediately.
Use Keywords
Incorporate keywords recruiters may search for that apply to your target roles.
Quantify Achievements
Include measurable results or quantifiable accomplishments if possible.
Show Range
Mention multiple skill sets, strengths, and areas of expertise to showcase your versatility.
Be Authentic
Avoid exaggerating or making up false credentials that could come back to haunt you.
Review Examples
See what language other professionals in your field use for ideas.
Check Character Limits
Headlines can be up to 120 characters. Use all the space available to include important info.
Be Concise
Edit down wordy phrasing to make every word count.
Match Your Pitch
Align with how you talk about yourself on your resume and in interviews.
Customize for Each Application
Tailor your LinkedIn headline for each application by featuring keywords from the job posting. This helps show your relevance. Just make sure to change it back after so your profile remains consistent.
Update it Regularly
Reevaluate your headline over time as you gain new skills, experience and credentials. Update it so it always reflects your latest capabilities and professional goals.
Conclusion
Your LinkedIn headline is valuable profile real estate, so take the time to craft one that captures your strongest attributes if you don’t currently have an official job title. Emphasize your skills and experience, certification, education, or brand. Steer clear of negative phrasing. Optimize your headline with keywords, quantify achievements, showcase range, and customize it when applying for roles. Keep it compelling yet authentic.
With these tips, you can create a LinkedIn headline that makes recruiters take notice despite not having a current job title.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why should I customize my LinkedIn headline for job applications?
Customizing your LinkedIn headline to include keywords from each job posting you apply to helps show your relevance to recruiters. It signals you took the time to carefully align your profile with the requirements of the role.
What if my work history is not related to the jobs I want now?
Focus your LinkedIn headline on the types of roles, skills, qualifications and career path you want now rather than past unrelated experience. Highlight transferrable skills from other industries that apply to your target field.
Should I include my LinkedIn profile URL in my headline?
It’s best not to include your LinkedIn profile URL, as this takes up valuable character space. Recruiters can click your name to be taken to your full profile anyway. Use the 120 characters to say more about your professional brand.
What if I am a stay-at-home parent re-entering the workforce?
Emphasize your capabilities, background, credentials and desire to return to your profession rather than identifying only as a stay-at-home parent. For example: “CPA returning to accounting after 5-year career break focused on family priorities.”
Can I include hobbies or interests in my headline?
It’s best to leave out non-professional hobbies or interests. The limited space should highlight skills, credentials and career focus relevant to potential employers and recruiters.
How often should I reassess my LinkedIn headline?
It’s a good idea to reassess your LinkedIn headline every 6 months to a year. Update it whenever you gain new skills, experience, credentials or professional goals so it stays current.
What if I am starting an online business or side hustle?
Incorporate your personal brand into the headline, such as “First Name Last Name, Social Media Marketing Strategist” or “John Smith, Business Consultant and Life Coach.”
Should I put my desired job title or target field first?
Leading with your target job title or field first clearly communicates to recruiters the type of professional you aspire to be. Putting your strongest skills after that further highlights your capabilities.
What if I am still early in my degree program?
Mention your degree pursuit first, followed by projected graduation date. For example: “Pursuing BS in Computer Science – Expected Graduation May 20XX”. Then highlight relevant skills or experience.
