A LinkedIn short summary, also known as a LinkedIn headline or profile headline, is a brief statement that appears at the top of your LinkedIn profile to summarize who you are and what you do. Your LinkedIn headline gives viewers a quick glance at your professional identity and goals.
LinkedIn headlines are limited to 120 characters, including spaces. This condensed space requires you to craft a succinct, compelling headline that captures the essence of your professional brand. An effective LinkedIn headline optimizes your profile for recruiters and conveys your value as a potential employee, partner, or connection.
The importance of a good LinkedIn headline
Your LinkedIn headline offers the first impression of your personal brand. It’s one of the most prominent elements visible on your profile in search results and connections’ feeds.
With limited space to make an impact, an engaging, informative headline is vital to stand out and get noticed by the right people.
A strong LinkedIn headline can:
- Summarize who you are as a professional
- Communicate your professional identity and brand
- Attract career opportunities and valuable connections
- Increase profile views and engagement
On the other hand, a weak headline fails to convey your skills, experiences, and value. Generic or vague headlines also get lost among the crowd of LinkedIn profiles. Failing to optimize your headline means missing out on prime real estate for showcasing your best professional self.
How to write an excellent LinkedIn headline
With so much riding on your 120-character LinkedIn headline, how can you craft an appealing summary? Follow these tips for writing an effective headline that puts your best foot forward.
1. Identify your target audience
Before writing your headline, think about who you want to reach with your LinkedIn profile. Your ideal audience may include recruiters, hiring managers, future employers, clients, partners, or influential connections in your industry.
Understanding your target audience helps shape creative messaging that speaks directly to their interests and needs.
2. Determine your professional identity
Your headline should reflect your core professional identity and personal brand. Are you an industry expert? Rising star? Solutions-focused leader? Seasoned educator? Determine what makes you and your skills stand out.
Summarize your professional identity clearly and succinctly. This gives viewers instant insight into what makes you unique.
3. Include important keywords
Incorporate relevant keywords in your headline so your profile appears in LinkedIn search results. Include key terms and phrases related to your occupation, skills, qualifications, and industry.
For example, “Digital Marketing Professional” or “Senior Finance Manager.” Tools like LinkedIn’s Profile Strength Meter can help identify keywords to work into your headline.
4. Communicate your value proposition
Explain the specific value and impact you provide in your role. For example, “Passionate Educator Cultivating Future Innovators” or “Solutions-Focused Software Engineer.” This gives a snapshot of the difference you make.
5. Use power words
Incorporate powerful verbs and adjectives like “transform,” “master,” “specialize,” and “excel.” This adds energy and enthusiasm.
For example, “Transforming marketing strategies to drive business growth” or “Master of financial analysis and strategic planning.”
6. Showcase expertise
Highlight specialized knowledge, training, certifications, and thought leadership. For example, “Certified Public Accountant specialized in audits and financial reporting.” This establishes your qualifications.
7. Keep it concise
Condense your professional identity into a tight, scannable headline without extraneous fluff. Lead with the most important information. Stay below the 120-character limit.
8. Add creativity and personality
While informative, avoid making your headline dry or overly corporate-sounding. Sprinkle in creativity, emotion, and personality to stand out while remaining professional.
LinkedIn headline examples
The following examples demonstrate strong LinkedIn headlines tailored to different professional identities and goals:
| Industry | Headline |
|---|---|
| Technology | Solutions-driven software engineer excelling at complex problem solving and system design. |
| Healthcare | compassion Pracicing nurse bringing kindness and quality care to patients everyday. |
| Education | Lifelong educator inspiring students’ curiosity and personal growth. |
| Marketing | Creative marketing leader driven by innovation and customer engagement. |
| Sales | Award-winning sales professional dedicated to building partnerships and exceeding revenue goals. |
Tips for an engaging LinkedIn headline
Follow these best practices to take your LinkedIn headline to the next level:
- Spotlight achievements, awards, certifications, and credentials that demonstrate your capabilities.
- Quantify results and impact such as “Increased sales by 30%” or “Reduced costs by 15%.”
- Refresh your headline regularly as your career evolves.
- A/B test different versions and leverage LinkedIn data to identify the most effective headline.
- Use relevant hashtags like #softwaredeveloper to expand discoverability.
- Research successful headlines in your industry for inspiration.
- Ask for feedback from colleagues, mentors, and recruiters to optimize your headline.
Common LinkedIn headline mistakes
While crafting your LinkedIn headline, avoid these common pitfalls:
- Generic or vague language like “Experienced professional.” This tells viewers nothing about your value.
- Overly broad descriptions like “Results-driven leader.” Narrow in on your niche.
- Buzzwords and jargon that don’t communicate tangible skills and impact.
- Outdated information that no longer reflects your current role and professional goals.
- Grammatical or spelling errors that undermine your professionalism.
- Passive, dull language. Opt for active verbs and descriptive adjectives.
- Exaggerations or unsubstantiated claims about your capabilities.
How to update your LinkedIn headline
Review and refresh your LinkedIn headline regularly to keep it current. Follow these steps to easily update your headline:
- Click “View profile” from your LinkedIn home page.
- Next to your existing headline, click the “pencil” edit icon.
- Delete the old headline and type your new summary.
- Click “Save” to apply the updated headline.
Your new headline will instantly go live on your profile. Continue optimizing it over time as your experience, goals, and brand evolve.
Conclusion
Your LinkedIn headline offers a prime opportunity to make a strong first impression and get your professional identity noticed. An optimized, compelling summary succinctly conveys who you are, what you do, and the value you provide to your target audience.
Invest thought and creativity into crafting the perfect headline. Refresh it regularly to accurately reflect your professional brand as it grows. Follow the tips and best practices outlined above to showcase your greatest value in 120 characters or less.
With a little finesse, you can write a LinkedIn headline that captures your professional essence and makes a lasting impact on viewers.
