LinkedIn headline for job seekers

Your headline is what recruiters see in search results. Lead with the role you want, add two skills they search, and end with a proof.

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[role you want] | [two skills recruiters search for] | [one proof]

How to get it right

  • Use the title you want next, not the one you just left. Recruiters search for the title they are hiring.
  • Include two or three keywords from postings you want. Use the résumé vs job description tool on this site to find them.
  • Add a result with a number. It stands out in a list of identical headlines.
  • Avoid “seeking opportunities” and “open to work” in the headline; use LinkedIn’s own Open to Work setting for that.
  • You have 220 characters. Put the most important words first, because search results cut them off.

Questions about this template

What is a good LinkedIn headline when you are laid off?
The role you want, two skills and one proof, for example “Senior Operations Manager | Supply Chain | Process Improvement | Cut delivery times 18%.” It should read like a job title, not a status.
Should my headline say I was laid off?
No. Put it in your post or your About section if you want. The headline should sell what you do next.
How long can a headline be?
Up to 220 characters. Only the first 60 or so show in search, so put the target role first.

Read the guide

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