Awful LinkedIn Headlines: “Vice President at Citibank” and “Unemployed”
Your headline is one of the most valuable (yet smallest) pieces of real estate on your LinkedIn profile page. This is the phrase underneath your name that can be up to 220 characters long. Think of this as your elevator “tweet.” It’s meant to capture your essential business proposition. If you had a few seconds to tell someone what you are known for, what would that be? What are your strengths and superpowers? How would you like to be remembered?
Your LinkedIn headline appears when you comment on a post and when your profile appears in search results. It’s what someone, perhaps a recruiter, will see next to your name and photo before they decide to click on your profile to learn more about you. The headline is the bait that encourages someone to delve deeper into your LinkedIn profile. Then, when someone brings up your profile, they’ll see your LinkedIn About section, a more detailed narrative through which you can elaborate on what differentiates you from other prospective employees or consultants. More on this section in a future post.
When LinkedIn creates a profile for you, the default headline is “Title” at “Current Company.” Many people leave it at that. But your current role and employer (or lack thereof) hardly define you as a candidate. The headline is a wonderful opportunity to craft your message and reinforce your personal brand. It’s perplexing that people would waste such an opportunity by leaving it as the default entry. But many people do.
What are some examples of effective headlines? “Helping Companies Grow Sales Through Effective Online Marketing Campaigns” “Introducing Companies to Sources of Non-dilutive Capital”
The other common mistake many people make is to change their headline to “Unemployed” or “In Between Opportunities” if they are currently looking for work. What a waste of an opportunity! Your current employment status does not define you. The value you brought to the table the day before you ceased your current position hasn’t disappeared. Continue to use your headline to convey what you can offer your next employer or consulting client.
Does your LinkedIn headline resemble one of the two variations in this post’s title? If so, it’s time to change it. While you’re at it, it might be a good idea to reassess the effectiveness of your overall LinkedIn profile.
I offer individualized career coaching and advising (remote and in-person) along with text, email, and phone support to help job seekers succeed. I've hired more than 100 people and interviewed over 500 candidates. I've worked at large global companies like Morgan Stanley and a company that is now part of Bank of America Private Bank and founded/worked at six startups. I welcome you to contact me and join my mailing list.