Your LinkedIn headline is doing nothing — here's how to fix it

Your LinkedIn headline follows you everywhere — in search results, comments, connection requests and recruiter searches. It's the most-seen line on your profile. And for most people, it's simply their current job title.

A job title is not a value statement

"Registered Nurse" tells someone your role. It doesn't tell them what you're good at, who you help, or why they should click. A strong headline does two jobs at once: it includes the keywords recruiters search for, and it communicates value.

• Weak: "Marketing Coordinator"
• Stronger: "Marketing Coordinator | Content & campaigns that grow engagement | Storyteller for purpose-led brands"

The simple formula

Try: [Role or expertise] | [What you do / who you help] | [A specialisation or value]. Keep the terms recruiters actually search near the front, then add the human value that makes someone want to read on.

Then align the rest

A great headline earns the click — your About section and experience have to deliver on it. When your headline, About and CV all tell the same story, your career brand becomes something recruiters find, trust and remember.