Profile Optimization
Camelia Khadraoui
Last updated: Oct 29, 2025
LinkedIn has over 1.1 billion members as of 2025.
That’s 1.1 billion people competing for attention and optimizing their profiles to look interesting, professional, and unique.
However, when writing their LinkedIn headline, many mention their job title and place of work, as they would for an ID, with no further thoughts.
Make no mistake: Your headline decides whether people scroll past your profile or pause to learn more about you, which is why you should think of it as a tool to invite as many people as possible to connect with you.
What is a LinkedIn headline?
Your LinkedIn headline is the short few lines next to your profile picture that sum up who you are professionally. Needless to say, it’s very important to the overall success of your profile.
In this section, you have a maximum of 220 characters, which gives you approximately 34–44 words to present yourself under your best light.
When done right, your LinkedIn headline can also be your chance to let your personality shine: value-driven, charismatic, sense of humor, empathetic... There are a million ways to talk about your professional career while also adding your personal touch.
Why Your LinkedIn Headline Is Important
Your headline does more than sit under your name; it actually helps you appear in more searches and explains what you do. That’s why it needs to be compelling.
First, it boosts your visibility. LinkedIn’s search algorithm scans your headline for keywords.
That means if someone searches for “UX Designer” or “Content Strategist,” the right words in your headline can literally help you show up higher.
Second, it shapes your personal brand. Your headline sets the tone for how people perceive you:
an award-winning expert?
A creator who has a positive influence on their community?
A head-hunter who actually enjoys what they do?
Your headline should not only tell people what you do, but also, show your personality, in just a few words.
And finally, it gets you more clicks. Every time you comment or show up in someone’s feed, your headline travels with you. A catchy, well-written one makes people curious enough to click your profile and learn more.
How to create a powerful LinkedIn headline
The LinkedIn headline offers you 220 characters to showcase your value and personality at the same time.
For a great headline, consider the following tips:
Think about the job you’re looking for next.
Find one to two things that the company or job wants you to do to be successful in that role.
Study the job description and look at other representative job descriptions for the job/s you are applying for.
Include measurable accomplishments.
Work in as many job or industry-specific hard skills and keywords as possible. This will help you appear higher in LinkedIn searches by recruiters interested in what you have to offer.
Be confident (dare to use emojis)
Bénédicte Rivory positions herself as a confident content strategist within the SEO field.
Calling herself "The Queen of SEO” is a bold move that immediately captures attention and radiates confidence (and a sense of humor). She also uses emojis, which is a fitting choice for someone working in the digital world.
Next, Bénédicte supports her claim by referencing her credible experiences + a tangible achievement worth mentioning.
This combination of data and self-assurance strikes the right balance between credibility and charisma, which is exactly what recruiters and head-hunters are looking for.
Don't be Afraid to Stand Out
By filling his headline with nothing but “SEO SaaS B2B” keywords, Stefan Delaunay is capitalizing on an inside joke only SEO professionals will understand.
It’s chaotic, ironic, but most importantly, memorable.
Stefan also inserts his specialty in the "name section" for more keyword action. This move serves both as a clever search optimization trick and a playful innuendo, as if “SEO Growth Marketing” were part of his very identity.
When asked about his approach, Stefan simply said: “The goal is to be different and visible, and it works.”
The result? A profile that masterfully exploits every possible space for search optimisation, and ironically proving that he’s good at what he does.
Get Inspired By Your Place of Work
Erin L’Hommedieu’s profile is perfectly aligned with the brand, and is exactly what you would expect from someone recruiting for Disney.
Her headline, “Technical Recruiter at The Walt Disney Company. Imagine the possibilities…” perfectly captures the company’s signature tone.
My personal favorite are the Mickey ears. This shows Erin doesn't just work for Disney, she embodies its culture which makes her profile both trustworthy and approachable.
Highlight Your Core Values
Christopher Willridge is a human resources professional. His headline shows no credentials. However, he makes his philosophy clear: "Hire people for who they are first; what they know second."
It’s simple, human, and immediately gives people an idea on his values-driven character.
Christopher’s profile is a refreshing contrast to the typical corporate tone seen on LinkedIn.
The Formula for Writing a Powerful LinkedIn Headline
Writing a headline that captures attention is part art, part strategy. The goal is to tell people who you are, what you do, and why it matters, all within a single line.
Formula 1:
For example:
“UX Designer | Helping Brands Build Intuitive Digital Products That Convert”
This formula works because it's clear and straight to the point. It tells people exactly what you offer and why they should care.
Formula 2:
For example:
“Helping small businesses grow their online presence through consistent, long-term SEO strategy.”
This version adds a storytelling touch to your headline. It shifts the focus from what you do to why you do it.
Whichever model you choose, make sure your headline sounds natural, human, and aligned with your professional identity.
Common Mistakes To Avoid in Your Headline
Even experienced professionals often get their LinkedIn headline wrong. Here are a few traps you need to look out for:
1. Only listing your job title: If your headline just says “Marketing Manager” or “Graphic Designer,” it doesn’t tell people what makes you different from the others.
2. Overloading with buzzwords: Phrases like “passionate, driven, results-oriented” sound impressive but they don’t actually say anything constructive. Replace empty adjectives with specifics that show what you do.
3. Technical Keywords: Yes, keywords matter for visibility, but too much technical terms makes your headline boring and unreadable.
4. Forgetting your audience: Your headline isn’t about what you think sounds good. It’s about what your audience needs to hear. Think about who you want to attract and what words would catch their attention.
Conclusion
In the end, the best headline should make people want to know more about you.
There is no winning formula for getting it right. When writing your headline, consider your field of work, your roles, your credentials, your target audience, and your targeted role.
Only then can you write your best headline ever.