Your LinkedIn headline is central to your online persona. If you were a brand (and you are… but we won’t get into that now), it would be your slogan. So, what it says really matters.
Let’s break this down. When professionals — that’s everyone from clients to employers — browse your profile, it’s the first thing they see. Yes, this snappy one-liner shows up when they search for you and when you post on the social network. It gives others a small insight into who you are, what you have to offer, and why it should matter to them.
Of course, the majority of people waste this golden opportunity. Most simply use their current position or title for their LinkedIn headline. You’ve likely seen examples of this approach. They include statements like "Results-driven internet marketing expert" or just "Sales Executive". We’re sure you’ll agree that these are hardly inspiring lines.
So, in a sea of dull headlines, you have the opportunity to stand out from the crowd for the right reasons. Your LinkedIn headline should hook the reader and make them want to learn more about you as a professional. And like any sales copy — it has to do the job quickly.
Luckily, you’ve come to the right place. In the following guide, we'll show you exactly how to write a stellar LinkedIn headline that makes you stand out along with some great examples. After reading this — be sure to check out our post on writing the perfect LinkedIn summary.
Writing the Perfect LinkedIn Headline: 4 Steps
Before we take a look at some LinkedIn headline examples, let’s talk about how you can master the art of writing yours. There is a formula that you can use which will help you to create an attention-grabbing line. To help you get started, here are four steps to try:
Step #1: Include Relevant Keywords
Is your LinkedIn headline searchable? If you’re not using the right keywords in it, the answer is a hard “no”. Hiring managers, employers, and clients all use this social network to find the right people for the job. They will search for certain professionals whenever they need to fill a vacancy. Now, since they don’t know who they are searching for, they will use keywords.
For that reason, it’s important to use the wording that hiring managers are likely to use. Consider what skills, expertise, and experience you have that you can bring to the forefront of your profile. The more niche you make your LinkedIn headline, the more likely you are to hit the mark. Try to get yourself in the mindset of the hiring manager when you do this.
A little research is likely to go a long way here. You may want to get started by conducting some keyword research into your chosen career. What words and phrases are searchable in your sector? You can use a variety of keyword generators to help you with this mission. Our favorites include WordStream and SemRush. Create a shortlist of words that you may want to include in your LinkedIn headline, and take things from there.
Step#2: Find Your Headline Hook
Next up, you need to answer the all important question: Who cares? When you’re writing your LinkedIn headline, your sole aim is to make anyone looking at your profile care about it. What is it that separates you from everyone else on the network? As we have already covered, the vast majority of headlines leave a lot to be desired. They lack creativity and simply work as placeholder text. Don’t make that mistake when writing yours.
Instead, think about what is likely to “wow” the hiring manager. What is your USP? What trait do you have that others may not? When you spend time considering this, you should find that it is easier to come up with a LinkedIn headline that has real impact. Of course, there’s no cookie-cutter formula you can use here. The LinkedIn headline that works for you will depend largely on your audience, your industry, and your professional persona.
Think about what you are bringing to the figurative table here. Let’s take a look at some of the factors you may want to highlight when you’re writing your LinkedIn headline:
A major accomplishment
Years of Experience
Prestigious clients or companies you've worked with
Major certifications
Awards
Results you've delivered to clients or companies
Publications
Including these in your LinkedIn headline may be the ticket to success. When you put your most valuable attributes at the top of your profile, it means that the hiring manager won’t miss them. Take the time to pinpoint what it is that makes you unique and attractive here.
Step #3: Putting it Together
Now that you know what you want to say, it’s time to get started on putting it all together. It’s best to illustrate this point.
Let's use the example of John who's a SEO and social media marketing expert. He recently helped take a company from zero to over 1 million visitors in less than a year through SEO and social media marketing and was also featured in a Forbes post. That's an impressive accomplishment that would be appealing to anyone looking for bespoke SEO services.
With that in mind, here’s a good LinkedIn headline that John may choose to use: “SEO and Social Media Marketing | Featured In Forbes | Grew Startup traffic to 1 Million+ visitors in less than 1 year”
Now if you were a hiring manager or a business owner that needed SEO services, this headline would be a lot more attractive than just "SEO and Social Media Expert". By harnessing his most interesting attributes, John has created an eye-catching headline.
Anybody looking at this particular LinkedIn headline will know just what he can do for them. Rather than there being a large question mark about what John can bring to a business, he has mapped it out plainly and simply for all to see. That way, whenever someone comes across his profile, they are immediately aware of what he can do for them in real terms.
Step #4: Get Creative with Your Writing
You don’t need to be a poet to craft an inspiring LinkedIn headline. However, the words that you choose along with the structure is important. When you’re working on this part of your profile, you need to make sure that the terminology you use fits your audience well.
Now, it’s time to be a real showman. Give your LinkedIn headline a sense of pizazz. Here are some of the ways that you may choose to jazz up your one-liner for your audience:
Include powerful verbs in your headline
Use vertical bars to break up your sentence
Add numbers and statistics, if possible
Name-check big bands you’ve worked for
Speak directly to your audience
Read your LinkedIn headline and edit it
We won’t beat around the bush — it may take a few shots before you craft your perfect LinkedIn headline. However, it’s well worth spending time and energy on this task. When you use a killer statement that grabs the reader’s attention, it will open the door to opportunities.
LinkedIn Headline Examples that Pack a Real Punch
Ready to get started and write your LinkedIn headline? We’ve got all the inspiration that you need. Here are 15 LinkedIn headline examples that teach us how to get it right:
1. “CEO & Creative Director of Good Shout / Bestselling author & poet / Sociologist / Satirist / LinkedIn Top Voice / TYCOON / Campaign ‘Trail Blazer’ / BIMA Hall of Fame / I’m obsessed with the psychology of voices”
Amy Kean is a professional with many feathers in her caps — and she’s not afraid to shout about it. In her LinkedIn headline, she hits on the main points of her career, demonstrating the value that she brings. However, it is the final line that truly makes a statement. She says what she is “obsessed” with, giving her audience a taste of her professional interests.
Lesson: Don’t be afraid to tell people what you love about your job.
2. “I help more women become execs and thrive as senior leaders - Former Exec / Certified Coach”
Katy McFee understands the value of speaking directly to her audience. In her killer LinkedIn headline, she targets them directly by explaining who she is and what she can offer clients.
Lesson: If you’re on a mission to achieve big things, let your audience know.
3. “I got 99 personalities & LinkedIn Ghostwriter is one. Marketing specialist for AI Startups, Founders & Newsletters.”
Can the real Luke Matthews please stand up? He already has. Sliding puns into your LinkedIn headline is a surefire way to stand out from the crowd. The memorable one-liner is certain to draw in an audience. You simply have to make sure that it suits your brand.
Lesson: Puns can be eye-catching — so long as it suits your audience!
4. “Blog as a Service 📝 - I help companies drive more sales with SEO + Content 📈”
What do you have to offer your audience? Rami Somo tells his followers what he has to offer in the first line of his LinkedIn headline. Placing your services at the top of this statement means that anyone who comes across your profile will understand what it is that you do. As if that wasn’t enough, he goes on to share how his services work in the next line.
Lesson: Get to the point and do it quickly.
5. “Founder & Exec. Chairman of Webmart, a Marxist-capitalist B-Corp; Co-Leader Yorkshire Party; NED; Barnsley FC charity Trustee, hates inequality & vested interest. Ducati & Triumph rider”
Dr Simon Biltcliffe DBA spells out what he has to offer in simple terms in her LinkedIn headline. This statement includes all of the keywords that a recruiter uses but goes one step further. The professional also talks about his unique brand of “Marxist-capitalist” business.
Lesson: Do your keyword research and use it well.
6. “Retail Entrepreneur & Start-Up Advisor | Forbes 30 Under 30”
Georgie Hyatt’s LinkedIn headline is a calling card. It lets people know what they will get should they choose to connect with her on the social media platform. But more than that — she also name-checked Forbes Magazine and her high-value accomplishment.
Lesson: Speak up about your highest achievements.
7. “That Fintech Girlie | Founder @ Fintech Content | Power your marketing machine with content created by fintech experts | 7+ years experience marketing in the financial and tech industries”
How would you like others to see you? Deborah Boyland puts the answer to this question in the first part of her LinkedIn headline. Yes, she’s “That Fintech Girlie”. When you’re deciding what to include in your statement, consider how you want people to refer to you.
Lesson: Treat your professional profile as a brand.
8. “Giving Pledge: Donating 70% of wealth to charities including Caudwell Children + Caudwell Youth. Philanthropist. Entrepreneur. Property Developer. Phones4U Founder. Author.”
John Caudwell uses his LinkedIn headline to talk about the causes that are close to him. He also speaks about the fact that he donates a massive 70% of his wealth to these charities. If that’s not enough to spark people’s interest online, we don’t know what is.
Lesson: Amplify a cause that you care about.
9. “Entrepreneur in AI and Robotics | CTO at Coram AI | Head Of Research at Toyota Woven Planet | CEO of Blue Vision Labs | Oxford PhD.
Peter Ondruska has had an illustrious career and he’s not afraid to shout about it. The CEO talks about the businesses he has headed up in his LinkedIn headline. He also notes that he has a PhD from Oxford. While that’s a lot of detail, he uses lines to break up the text.
Lesson: Separate your accolades with vertical lines.
10. “Events & Media Advisor | Follow me for insights on events, marketing and technology”
Julius Solaris has a LinkedIn headline that is sure to grab people’s attention swiftly. He states what his job role is but that’s not the best part. No, the most interesting aspect of his statement is that he tells people why they should connect with him on LinkedIn.
Lesson: Tell your audience why they should follow you.
11. “Exited founder | Commercial Growth for start-ups | Award-winning International Speaker + D&I Podcast host”
Looking for a way to separate yourself from the competition? If you have any awards, accreditations, or certificates, talk about them in your LinkedIn headline. That is exactly what Helen McGuire did. By saying that she is “award-winning,” she made sure she stood out.
Lesson: Speak up if you have any special awards or certificates.
12. “Founder and CEO of The 93% Club | Forbes 30 Under 30 | Lawyer | TEDx speaker | #StateSchoolProud”
As one of LinkedIn’s top voices, Sophie Pender knows how to write an impressive headline. The entrepreneur talks about her accomplishments, including the fact that she is a TEDx speaker. She also ends on a high note saying that she is #StateSchoolProud.
Lesson: Find your people and speak their language.
13. “🧠 Autistic ADHDer | 📚 Penguin Life Author | 🗣️ TEDx Speaker”
Author Ellie Middleton has three things that she wants her audience to know. She is diagnosed with autism and ADHD, she is a writer, and a professional speaker. Using a combination of emojis and snappy buzzwords, she says all that she has to say here.
Lesson: Talk about your niche and keep it snappy.
14. “Reporter @ The WallI Street Journal | Consumer Trends | 🏳️🌈”
What do you want to tell your audience? Rachel Wolfe shares a rainbow flag emoji in her LinkedIn headline along with her high profile job role at the Wall Street Journal. It’s a short and sweet message but it tells the audience everything that they need to know.
Lesson: Say what you need to say with an emoji.
15. “Serial Entrepreneur | Digital Marketing CEO”
Can you tell a long career story in just a few words? That’s what Maddy Corbin does with her impressive LinkedIn headline. By stating simply that she is a “serial entrepreneur,” she lets the world know that she has started a selection of businesses over the years. If you want to find out more about her illustrious career, you have to click on her name.
Lesson: Tell a long story in just a few words!
Final thoughts
Nailing your LinkedIn headline is no easy feat. However, it’s worth it. When you dedicate the time to mastering this essential part of your profile, it will pay dividends. LinkedIn is a highly valuable resource that many candidates underuse. That means that you have the chance to make your mark on this social network. Use our guide — along with our handy LinkedIn headline examples here — to start crafting a one-liner that boosts your online presence.
Now that you’ve perfected your LinkedIn headline, let’s talk about the rest of your application package. If you want to get ahead of the competition, use our free resume review tool now. Land more interviews and get hired faster than ever before!
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Written by
Charlotte Grainger, Editor & Content Writer, Charlotte Grainger, Editor & Content Writer
Charlotte Grainger is a freelance writer living and working in Sheffield, UK. She has a passion for career development and loves sharing tips and advice. Follow her on Twitter
