posted 11th February 2026
A compelling LinkedIn headline for recruiters is specific, keyword-rich, and clearly shows the value you bring. It should be written for the job you want, not just the job you have.
Use a simple headline formula
A practical, recruiter-friendly formula is:
[Target role or current title] | [3–5 key skills/sector keywords] | [Value you deliver or niche].
This structure makes you easy to find in searches and instantly tells recruiters what you do and why you matter.
Example for a marketing professional:
“Digital Marketing Manager | SEO, Paid Social, email | Driving B2B lead generation for SaaS brands” (you would swap in your own role, skills, and niche).
Focus on recruiter search terms
Recruiters search primarily by job titles and hard skills, so your headline should mirror the language in job ads for roles you want.
Scan 5–10 relevant vacancies and list the recurring titles, tools, and skills (e.g. “Data Analyst, SQL, Python, Power BI”) and weave those naturally into your headline.
Avoid vague phrases like “Results-driven professional” on their own; they don’t help you appear in search or show what you actually do.
If you’re changing careers or early in your career, signal direction clearly, for example: “Aspiring Product Manager | UX Research & Data Analysis | Turning customer insight into better products”.
Show clear value, not just status
Headlines that perform well often include a brief value statement or impact, not just a role label.
You can hint at outcomes (“cut costs”, “grow revenue”, “improve retention”, “deliver successful projects”) or the audience you serve (“SMEs”, “public sector”, “e commerce brands”).
Examples of value-focused endings
• “Reducing time-to-hire for fast-growing tech teams”
• “Turning complex data into clear decisions for non-technical stakeholders”
These short phrases help recruiters quickly understand why you’re different from others with similar titles.
Common mistakes to avoid
• Only writing “Job Title at Company X” with no skills or value; that wastes prime real estate.
• Leading with “Open to work” or “Looking for opportunities” instead of what you can actually do; keep any availability info for the “Open to Work” settings, not the headline.
• Stuffing buzzwords with no focus (long strings of unrelated skills); prioritise the 3–5 that match your target roles.
