As a college student, your LinkedIn headline is one of the first things recruiters see when they look at your profile. With over 722 million users on LinkedIn, standing out from the crowd is critical. Your headline should quickly communicate who you are, what you’re studying, and what type of roles you’re interested in. Here are some tips on crafting the perfect student headline.
Keep it concise
LinkedIn only allows 120 characters for your headline, so you need to be concise. Focus on the key details you want to get across. Include your year of study, degree major/minor, university name, and area of interest. For example: “Sophomore at UC Berkeley studying Business Administration. Interested in marketing internships.”
Highlight relevant skills
Given the 120-character limit, you won’t be able to list all your skills. Choose 1-2 hard skills that align with the roles you want. For technical roles, mention programming languages or software proficiency. For marketing, highlight social media platforms you’re skilled with. Here are some examples:
- “3rd year Computer Science major at MIT. Proficient in Java, Python, C++.”
- “Studying Finance at UPenn Wharton. Skilled in financial modeling, valuation, Excel.”
- “Northwestern Student pursuing PR degree. Experienced in social media strategy and content creation.”
Quantify accomplishments
Recruiters want concrete evidence of what you’ve achieved. Include numbers, stats, results, etc. to showcase your capabilities. For example: “Generated 10,000+ YouTube views by creating viral content for brand X. Looking for digital marketing internships.”
Communicate your goals
Your headline is valuable real estate to express what roles or companies you’re targeting for internships or jobs. Being specific helps recruiters understand if you’re a good fit for open positions. For example: “Seeking product management internship at tech startup.”
Tailor for each application
Tweak your headline for each application rather than using a generic one-size-fits-all headline. Highlight skills or accomplishments relevant to that company’s work. Research the job description and company’s needs so you can align your headline. Show you understand their business.
Use keywords strategically
Incorporate keywords from the job description in your headline to get past applicant tracking systems. Many companies use software to screen profiles before a human recruiter reviews them. Matching keywords will ensure you don’t get filtered out.
Focus on action verbs
Start your headline with a strong action verb like “seeking”, “pursuing”, “experienced in”, etc. to grab the reader’s attention. Avoid passive language like “student at X university.” Lead with what you want and the actions you’ve taken.
Show leadership
If you hold leadership positions like club president, sports team captain, or other titles, find a way to work it into your headline. This demonstrates your ability to lead teams and manage responsibilities.
Proofread meticulously
Typos or grammatical errors in your headline will immediately disqualify you. Proofread, double check, and have others review it before adding it to your profile.
Refresh regularly
Update your headline at least once a semester to reflect new skills, accomplishments, leadership roles and goals. As you progress through school, keep your headline current.
Examples of Strong Student Headlines
Here are some examples of LinkedIn headlines that do an excellent job showcasing the student, degree, skills, and goals:
- “3rd Year Neuroscience Major at UCLA. Published 2 research papers on neuroregeneration. Seeking pharmaceutical research internship.”
- “Northwestern Computer Science ’24. Proficient in Java, JavaScript, MySQL. Seeking software engineering internship.”
- “Columbia MBA Candidate ’25. Led 50+ marketing campaigns. Seeking product marketing internship in NYC.”
- “Rutgers English Major ’23. Created content for 1M+ follower social media account. Seeking digital marketing role.”
- “Duke Engineering Junior. Co-founded campus robotics club. Seeking mechanical engineering internship.”
Headlines to Avoid
Here are some types of headlines students should avoid since they are either too generic or don’t communicate key details:
- “Student at XYZ University”
- “Graduating in 2024”
- “Young professional seeking opportunities”
- “Explorer and go-getter”
- “Passionate marketing specialist”
Tools to Help Craft Your Headline
Here are some online tools that can help you create, refine, and optimize your LinkedIn headline:
- LinkedIn Headline Generator: Creates catchy headlines based on your profile details.
- Upwordly Headline Analyzer: Rates your headline and suggests improvements.
- Sensei Headline: Generates intelligent headlines personalized to your profile.
- SEMRush Headline Analyzer: Checks how engaging and SEO-friendly your headline is.
- Headline Analyzer: Gives your headline an A-F grade and feedback on how to optimize it.
FAQs
Should I put my GPA in my LinkedIn headline?
Only include your GPA if it is above a 3.5. Anything lower may hurt more than help your chances.
What if I don’t have any internship experience yet?
Highlight relevant coursework, skills, online certifications, leadership experience, or specific companies you are targeting.
Should I include skills I’m still developing?
Only include skills you are confident with. It’s okay to list skills you are in the process of developing in your skills section.
Is it okay to be creative or funny with my headline?
LinkedIn is generally not the platform for being overly creative. Have a simple, professional headline focused on showing your qualifications.
What if my interests change over time?
Update your headline regularly to accurately reflect your degree, skills, accomplishments and professional goals.
Conclusion
As a student, treat your LinkedIn headline as valuable real estate. Craft it carefully using the right keywords, accomplishments, leadership experience and goals. A compelling, optimized headline is crucial for getting your profile viewed by recruiters and hiring managers. Use the 120-character limit strategically to make an impact. Keep it updated over time and tailored for each application you submit. With a little work, your headline can give you an edge in your career search during school and after graduation.
