LinkedIn Headline To Maximize Job Opportunities

It’s important that you’re using the optimal LinkedIn Headline for your profile. Recruiters and hiring managers will want to click on your profile simply based on what your headline is saying. Make sure you’re specifying the correct headline to maximize the chances of getting reached out to by recruiters and hiring managers.

Each time a recruiter or hiring manager stumbles upon your profile is another chance for you to land a life changing opportunity. There are plenty of areas your profile will come up such as through LinkedIn’s search function or the “suggested profile sidebar”.

Make sure you’re using the optimal LinkedIn headline based on the guidelines we’re providing below.

March 2, 2024 by Kazu Fujimoto

LinkedIn Headline Formula

The optimal LinkedIn Header formula is Job Title at Company.

Job Title at Company Name

-The Optimal LinkedIn Headline Formula, Ultmeche

Job Title

Use the existing job title that you have at your current company. If there are many variations in your job title name, use the one that closely matches the title that you’re looking for. For example, if you’re looking for senior mechanical engineering positions, but you are a junior, still specify that you’re a junior engineer.

There are many job titles so to be as clear as possible, make sure you use the title that best reflects your job search. As a result of having your job title resemble that of what the recruiter is looking for, you will increase your chances of being contacted by a recruiter or hiring manager.

In some cases, you can even omit the company name from your LinkedIn headline, leaving you with just your job title. This will be good enough, provided that you have a good LinkedIn Headshot and profile.

Company Name

Bonus points if you work for a big name company. Having a big name company on your LinkedIn Headline will carry you much farther than one at a no-name company. Having a big name company in your resume is much like wearing brand name clothing when going out. Brand names command respect, which is why things such as big name companies or prestigious schools carry so much weight.

The option to remove the company name from your LinkedIn headline will be fine as well. You may want to do this depending on if you either work at a smaller or mid-size firm that isn’t as respectable.

College Students

If you are a college student, the optimal linkedin headline for you will be X Student at Y University.

X Student at Y University

-The Optimal LinkedIn Headline Formula for College Students, Ultmeche

Simply state what type of student you are – Engineering Student, Computer Science Student, Law Student, etc. along with the university you are studying at. Again, this is where the bonus points come in for a big name or prestigious university.

If you’re unemployed

If you’re unemployed, just put the previous job title you had in your LinkedIn headline. For example, if you were a mechanical engineer previously, but got laid off, just keep that you’re a mechanical engineer in your LinkedIn headline. This will be much more credible as opposed to stating that you’re “unemployed” and “looking for work” in your profile.

Are you unemployed? Check out: What to do when you’re laid off

LinkedIn Headline Example

This is an example of how I have my LinkedIn Headline set up, by just using my job title, which is Principal Mechanical Engineer.

I’m generally a fan of keeping things clear and concise, so as a result, I just use the job title in my headline.

It wouldn’t hurt to add my company name, but recruiters and hiring managers still reach out to me for opportunities based on my employment.

This is also why you need to fill out where you have experience in your LinkedIn profile, so that recruiters and hiring managers can find you through search.

Why your LinkedIn Headline is important

Your LinkedIn headline is one of the first few things a recruiter or hiring manager sees. As a result, you want to make sure that you fit the description of the candidate they’re looking for. Make sure you to use the correct job title, like we have discussed above.

Tips for an Optimal LinkedIn Headline

Along with a solid LinkedIn Headline for your profile, make sure you have these things.

1. Professional Headshot and High Quality Banner Picture
2. High number of connections (500+ is ideal)
3. Optimized about section
4. Experience section should contain keywords, results, accomplishments, impact
5. Education section should be high level – where you went to school and what you studied
6. Add as many skills as you can and get endorsed for them
7. Have a recommendation/endorsement section – this will be like a review/testimonial for a product

Did you find these tips useful? Make sure to check out our LinkedIn Optimization guide.

Closing Thoughts on LinkedIn Headline

When browsing casually on LinkedIn, there is a sidebar on the right that shows people that are relevant. As a result, to maximize chances of inbound leads, you’ll want to make sure you use the correct LinkedIn Headline for your profile, along with all of our other LinkedIn Optimization recommendations.

If you need some help with optimizing your profile, then check out our LinkedIn Optimization service.

LinkedIn Headline FAQ