How to Write a LinkedIn Headline That Gets You Found

Your LinkedIn headline is the text that appears directly below your name — in search results, in recruiter searches, in connection requests, and in notifications. It is the most frequently seen part of your profile and one of the most important for LinkedIn's search algorithm.

The Default Headline Problem

LinkedIn automatically uses your current job title and employer as your headline: "Senior Marketing Manager at Acme Ltd." This is the default — and it is what most people leave unchanged.

The problem with the default headline is that it contains only one keyword: your job title. A properly optimised headline can contain four to six relevant search terms in the same space.

What LinkedIn's Algorithm Does With Your Headline

LinkedIn's recruiter search algorithm indexes your headline heavily. The more relevant keywords it contains, the more searches you appear in. A headline of "Senior Marketing Manager | B2B SaaS | SEO & Paid Media | Pipeline Growth" will appear in far more relevant recruiter searches than "Senior Marketing Manager at Acme Ltd."

How to Write an Optimised Headline

Your headline has 220 characters. Use most of them. A strong headline typically includes:

Your target job title (or a close variant): The first thing, before any separator. This is the primary search term.

Two to three specialisms or key skills: Specific, keyword-rich. Not "good communicator" but "SEO" or "Stakeholder Management" or "Financial Modelling."

Sector or context (where relevant): B2B, SaaS, NHS, FMCG, Financial Services — wherever your specialisation lies.

Optional: a value statement: "Helping B2B SaaS companies scale their marketing" — this is more conversational and works well for profiles with a strong personal brand.

Headline Examples

"Head of Finance | FP&A | Financial Modelling | FMCG | ACCA Qualified"

"Product Manager | Mobile Apps | Agile | Consumer Products | B2C Growth"

"Nurse Practitioner | Emergency Medicine | NMC Registered | Advanced Clinical Practice"

What Not to Do

Do not use the headline space for motivational phrases ("Passionate about making a difference") or vague claims ("Experienced professional"). These waste precious keyword space without contributing to search visibility.

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