“It’s the little details that are vital. Little things make big things happen.”
— John Wooden
Imagine writing a mini-resume that can be seen by the world, and is only 220 characters long and it’s free. Pull back the curtain…wait for it…that mysterious asset at your fingertips is your LinkedIn headline.
Most users of the social career and networking platform tend to choose the platform's default selection, but a clever title can help you stand out in a sea of competitors and attract prospects and employers. Here, we'll examine the qualities of a great LinkedIn headline, discuss how to modify yours, and look at some especially powerful examples.
What does “LinkedIn headline” mean?
The LinkedIn headline is the 220-character limit area at the top of a user's profile where they can briefly summarize who they are and what they do. In search results, this succinct summary is displayed next to the user's name. It should tempt readers to check the user's profile to find out more about their history and experience, and even the company they represent.
Consider this, your headline is:
· The first thing that LinkedIn users see on your profile.
· A chance for you to showcase your abilities and accomplishments.
· Someone's first impression of you as they browse through LinkedIn.
· And for sales, it’s a digital billboard about your company and product and can be a resource for prospects.
It's an absolute mistake to let LinkedIn determine your headline for you. With a personalized title, you'll stand out right away, and offer recruiters and prospects a reason to look at your profile and begin making the case for your product (and your skills). Keep in mind that your LinkedIn headline should highlight the value you will bring to an organization. With a little effort, you can get an instant return on your time investment.
Because your LinkedIn title is 46% more significant to prospects than your experience is, you should always personalize it. Your LinkedIn headline encourages people to read the remainder of your profile in detail and examine your resources.
It's the most noticeable aspect of your profile as well, which is why it appears in the snippet when prospects are looking through potential applicants. Finding the keywords for your industry on LinkedIn will help you when composing your title. Keep in mind that your headline should be personalized to your audience and use language used by your potential customers.
How to Create a Headline on LinkedIn
A decent LinkedIn headline adheres to the following four guidelines: Be factual and honest, cater it to your audience, highlight your value proposition, and use language that your prospect will understand.
1. Make it audience specific.
2. Add your value statement.
3. Talk to your prospect in their language.
4. Refrain from using exaggeration.
Now that you have the basics, here are some example constructions:
(Title) at (Company) – Helping (Unique Selling Proposition) for SALES
(Title) | (Company) | (Unique Selling Proposition) for SALES
Title + Company + benefits of working with you | keywords related to your niche | personal touch for RECRUITERS
So for an account executive at a cybersecurity startup, here is an example:
Account Executive at Securomatic | Helping Cybersecurity Teams Secure Their OT Infrastructure
Account Executive | Securomatic | Simple OT Cybersecurity Automation
For a sales rep looking for a job:
Sales Executive at Securomatic | Growth Hacker | Cybersecurity, OT and Automation | Driven achiever in cyber sales
Hopefully this was helpful, and it will take just 1 minute out of your day by clicked the edit button at the top right of your profile. Use all the weapons in your arsenal to overachieve and sell while you sleep ;). Happy hunting.