What is appropriate for a LinkedIn header?

Your LinkedIn header is one of the first things people will see when they visit your profile. It’s a key part of making a good first impression and catching a viewer’s interest. But with so many options and so little space, it can be tricky to know what to put in your header.

Quick answer: Your LinkedIn header should complement your profile and contain a professional headshot, your name and current job title, and a clear value proposition. Avoid using unprofessional images or oversharing personal details.

Your header has just a few seconds to tell visitors who you are, what you do, and why they should connect with you. This article will walk you through what is and isn’t appropriate to include, with tips and examples to help you create an eye-catching yet professional header.

Should You Use a Photo?

Using a photo of yourself in your header is strongly recommended. According to LinkedIn, profiles with photos receive 21 times more profile views and 36 times more messages than profiles without. Visitors want to see who they are connecting and doing business with.

Your photo should be:

– A professional headshot taken in the last year. Selfies and group or scenic photos are too casual.

– Well-lit with a solid background. Avoid busy backgrounds that will distract.

– Depicting you alone and looking at the camera with a friendly smile.

– Showing you dressed professionally in typical work attire.

Here are some examples of appropriate LinkedIn profile photos:

✅ Professional headshot with a smile	✅ Well-lit photo in professional dress

And here are examples of photos to avoid:

❌ Selfie with odd angle	❌ Outdated hairstyle and dress

Your photo should look current and representative of how you present yourself today. Avoid anything unprofessional.

What Should You Include in the Header Text?

The text portion of your header has a 220 character limit, including spaces. Be succinct. It should include:

– **Your full name:** This helps people find you and confirms they are on the right profile. Use the name you are commonly known by in your industry.

– **Your current job title:** List your most recent title and company to convey your role and industry. If currently between jobs, list your area of expertise.

– **A value proposition:** A short tagline or slogan that communicates what you offer. Examples:

– Strategic thinker driving growth through innovative marketing campaigns

– Passionate educator developing future generations

– Seasoned journalist telling impactful stories

– **An invitation:** A call to action for what you want visitors to do, like “Let’s connect!” or “Contact me about speaking opportunities.”

Keep the text professional. Avoid oversharing personal details or using unprofessional images or sayings.

Here are some examples of appropriate header text:

And here are examples of headers with inappropriate text:

❌ Overly personal details	❌ Unprofessional photo
Samantha Jones Wife, Mother, Yoga Instructor Downward dog enthusiast, adventure seeker, love being a mom!	Alex Johnson Sales Associate @ABC Stores

Stick to the key professional details you want viewers to know. There are better places to share personal interests than in your header.

How Can You Optimize Your Header for Search?

In addition to making a strong visual impact, you also want your header text to be optimized for LinkedIn search. This increases the chance you will show up in searches related to your industry and expertise.

Here are some tips:

– **Include relevant keywords:** Sprinkle in keywords like job titles, skills, certifications, and areas of expertise. But do so naturally – no awkward keyword stuffing.

– **Leverage your name:** If you have a unique name, take advantage by making it prominent to stand out in searches.

– **Use your company name:** Listing your current company helps you appear in searches for that employer.

– **Summarize your value simply:** Use clear language free of buzzwords that communicates your differentiating value.

– **Mention your location:** Including your city and state helps you show up in location-based searches.

Optimizing for search doesn’t have to clutter your text. Here is an example integrating relevant keywords:

“`
John Smith
Certified Public Accountant @ Ernst & Young | New York, NY
Helping clients optimize finances through strategic partnerships and analysis. Let’s connect!
“`

This header balances professional details with concise messaging likely to perform well in searches.

How Long Should You Spend Creating Your Header?

With limited space, it’s important to put thought into crafting the right header. Here are some tips on investing your time wisely:

– **Brainstorm concepts first:** Jot down ideas for visuals, text, keywords, and calls to action before creating anything.

– **Gather the elements:** Take a quality headshot photo and have your value proposition and keywords ready.

– **Try out mock headers:** Using a tool like Canva, mock up some header options to finalize positioning and text.

– **Refine and simplify:** Cut unnecessary words and rework text to be as concise and scannable as possible.

– **Check mobile:** Preview how your header looks on a mobile device and make adjustments to optimize for small screens.

– **Ask for feedback:** Get a second opinion from colleagues or mentors before finalizing your header. Fresh eyes can provide perspective.

– **Update it occasionally:** Revisit your header every year or with major job changes to keep it current. Archive old headers.

Spend the time upfront to create a polished header. But avoid overthinking or obsessing over tiny details. Stick to the core components that strengthen your first impression and brand.

Conclusion

Your LinkedIn header has a big job to do in a small amount of space. Use the header to make yourself stand out while communicating your expertise and value in a professional manner. Include an updated headshot, your name and current title, value proposition, and a call to action. Optimizing your text for search can help you get discovered by more of your target audience. Invest time to craft your header thoughtfully, and revisit it periodically to keep your profile looking fresh and current. With the right header that balances visual impact and concise messaging, you can make a strong first impression on LinkedIn.