How to write a LinkedIn headline that gets you found by recruiters

Your LinkedIn headline is the most visible line on your entire profile. It appears in search results, connection requests, comments, and every recruiter search. Most people waste it with their job title. Here's how to make it work for you.

Understand how LinkedIn search works

Recruiters search LinkedIn the same way people search Google — with keywords. If your headline is "Business Analyst at Acme Corp," you'll only appear when someone searches for that exact phrase. If your headline includes the specific skills and specialisations recruiters search for, your profile appears in far more searches.

The formula that works

The most effective LinkedIn headlines combine a role title with two or three key specialisations, separated by | or ·. For example: Senior Business Analyst | Digital Transformation | Agile | Stakeholder Engagement. This is keyword-rich, scannable, and tells both humans and LinkedIn's algorithm exactly what you do.

What to avoid

Avoid vague phrases like "passionate professional," "results-driven leader," or "seeking new opportunities." These phrases appear in millions of profiles and add zero search value. Recruiters search for skills and roles, not personality adjectives.

Keep it under 120 characters

LinkedIn truncates headlines in search results. Make sure your most important keywords appear in the first 60-70 characters so they're always visible.