How to Write a LinkedIn Headline (Recruiters Will Respond To)
By: Jazmine Reed-Clark
Tags: Resume Writing, Social Media Strategy, Recruiting, How To, LinkedIn

As a copywriter-slash-career coach, I have clients come to me for plenty of reasons but the top requests? Help with their LinkedIn headline and bio, and with their resume.

And while I will eventually cover it all, today I’m focusing on the LinkedIn headline. How to write a good one and why it counts the most.

But I thought I was supposed to write ‘Marketing Manager at Company X.’ If this was your assumption, you’re a bit behind the times. Not like Justin and Britney showing up in denim outfits behind, but like, for-profit companies trying to figure out TikTok behind the times.

Thankfully, I got you covered.

PROBLEM YOU HAVE

You hate your LinkedIn headline and have no clue what to say.

You don’t want to come off pretentious or phony. But you want to put your best foot forward.

Or maybe you actually hate what you currently do and don’t want to pigeonhole yourself.

WHY YOU NEED TO SOLVE IT

More companies are looking at your LinkedIn versus your resume.

Your LinkedIn serves as a search engine (i.e., the Google machine for recruiters) and is the greatest chance for you to shoot your shot.

LinkedIn is the new business card.

WRITE THE HEADLINE OF YOUR DREAMS

TEMPLATE

Basic formula:

[Who I serve and how I serve them] + [their RIO] + [through what I do] + [my expertise, specialization, strengths]. | [Optional: Your current title and company]

Example:

Dylan, a kindergarten teacher who hopes to be a college professor, may write:

Preparing students for future success through academic study, literature, and early childhood education. | 4th Grade English Teacher at ABC Elementary School

Fostering possibility and encouraging discovery through creative writing and composition. | 4th Grade English Teacher at ABC Elementary School

Developing future leaders through the facilitation of discussion, education, and discovery. Currently an early childhood educator with aspirations in higher education.

Not a wordsmith? No problem. Here is some inspiration to help you.

VERBS TO SPARK INSPIRATION

Helping

Serving

Advising

Directing

Collaborating

Developing

Communicating

Building

Briding

Bringing

WHO VERBIAGE TO SPARK INSPIRATION

C-suite executives

Entrepreneurs

Workforce

Employees

Future leaders

Everyday people

Business coaches

Communities

RIO VERBIAGE TO SPARK INSPIRATION

Build their business

Grow their business

Expand their business

Discover their why

Understand their purpose

Build a community

Inspire change

Focus

TIPS WHEN SPEAKING TO YOUR SPECIALIZATION

The riches are in the niches — get super specific on what it is you do. If you primarily work with start-up tech clients in the North Texas area, say it LOUD!

Always use metrics when you can

What “proof” do you have?

How do you make professionals feel and/or what can you promise them?

ON THE FENCE

Not sure if you’ve hit the mark? Does your headline answer the following questions:

What skillset can you bring to a job?

What are you good at?

What will we remember about you long after you leave the company?

And if you’re still on the fence, you can always hire me to write your LinkedIn headline and bio. Shameless plug.

Happy headlining!

Originally published at https://www.jazminereedclark.com on December 7, 2020.