Your LinkedIn headline is the line under your name. It shows up in search results, comments, connection requests and messages, so it’s often the first thing people read about you. Most people leave it as their job title. A better headline tells people what you do, who you help and why it matters.
LinkedIn gives you up to 220 characters. Here’s how to use them.
A simple headline formula
[Role] | [Who you help] + [result] | [proof or specialty]
Examples:
- “B2B Content Marketer | Helping SaaS brands turn blogs into pipeline | 3x organic growth at Series B startups”
- “Registered Nurse | ICU and critical care | Patient safety and team training”
You don’t need every part. Lead with the words people search for (your role and specialty), then add the result or proof.
LinkedIn headline examples by role
Marketing
- Performance Marketer | Paid social and search for DTC brands | $5M+ ad spend managed
- SEO Lead | Growing organic traffic for B2B SaaS | Technical SEO and content strategy
- Content Strategist | Turning expertise into content that ranks and converts
- Social Media Manager | TikTok and Instagram growth for lifestyle brands
- Brand Marketing Director | Building brands people remember | Ex-agency, now in-house
Sales and business development
- Account Executive | Helping mid-market teams cut software costs | Top 10% quota attainment
- SDR | Connecting HR leaders with smarter hiring tools
- Business Development Manager | Partnerships in fintech and payments
- Sales Leader | Building outbound teams from 0 to 30 reps
- Customer Success Manager | Onboarding and retention for enterprise SaaS
Tech and engineering
- Senior Software Engineer | Python, Go and distributed systems | Building reliable payments infrastructure
- Frontend Developer | React and Next.js | Fast, accessible web apps
- Data Scientist | Machine learning for pricing and demand forecasting
- Product Manager | AI products for small businesses | From 0 to 1 and beyond
- Cybersecurity Analyst | Cloud security and incident response | CISSP
Founders and executives
- Founder & CEO at [Company] | Helping restaurants cut food waste with AI
- COO | Scaling operations at high-growth startups | Ex-McKinsey
- CMO | B2B growth and brand | Took two startups to acquisition
- Founder | Building tools for remote teams | Writing about startups and leadership
- Fractional CFO | Financial strategy for seed to Series B startups
Creative
- UX Designer | Designing simple experiences for complex products
- Graphic Designer | Brand identities and packaging for food and drink brands
- Video Producer | Short-form video for brands on TikTok, Reels and YouTube
- Copywriter | Websites and emails that sell | SaaS and ecommerce
- Photographer | Product and lifestyle photography for ecommerce brands
Finance, HR and operations
- Financial Analyst | FP&A and forecasting in consumer goods
- HR Business Partner | People strategy for fast-growing tech teams
- Talent Acquisition Lead | Hiring engineers and product talent at scale
- Operations Manager | Supply chain and logistics | Lean Six Sigma Green Belt
- Project Manager | Delivering complex IT projects on time | PMP
Job seekers and students
- Marketing Graduate | Content and social media | Open to entry-level roles in London
- Software Engineering Student | Python and cloud | Seeking summer 2027 internships
- Experienced Accountant | Open to new opportunities in audit and advisory
- Career Changer: Teacher to Instructional Designer | eLearning and curriculum design
- Data Analyst | SQL, Python, Tableau | Looking for remote analytics roles
Freelancers and consultants
- Freelance Web Developer | WordPress and Shopify sites for small businesses
- Marketing Consultant | Helping local businesses get more customers from Google
- Leadership Coach | Helping new managers lead with confidence
- Freelance Writer | Tech, AI and B2B SaaS | Bylines in industry publications
- Virtual Assistant | Inbox, calendar and admin support for busy founders
Tips for a strong LinkedIn headline
- Use searchable keywords. Recruiters search by job title and skills, so include them.
- Be specific. “Helping SaaS brands grow organic traffic” beats “passionate marketer”.
- Show proof. Numbers, notable employers or certifications build trust quickly.
- Front-load the important words. Headlines get cut off in some views, so put the key terms first.
- Avoid buzzwords. Words like “guru”, “ninja” and “thought leader” rarely help. See our list of hated business phrases to avoid on LinkedIn.
- Update it. Change your headline as your role or goals change.
How to change your LinkedIn headline
- Go to your LinkedIn profile.
- Click the pencil icon next to your name and photo (Edit intro).
- Edit the Headline field (up to 220 characters).
- Click Save.
Next, strengthen the rest of your profile: ask for professional endorsements on LinkedIn and put your new headline to work by networking effectively.
FAQ
What is a good headline for a LinkedIn profile?
A good headline includes your role, who you help or what you specialise in, and a result or proof point, using keywords people search for.
How long can a LinkedIn headline be?
Up to 220 characters. Fewer may show in search results and on mobile, so put the most important words first.
Should my LinkedIn headline be my job title?
Your job title is a good start because it’s what people search for. Adding your specialty or a result makes you stand out from others with the same title.
What should I put in my headline if I’m unemployed?
Lead with the role you want and your key skills, for example “Data Analyst | SQL, Python, Tableau | Open to remote roles”.
