10 LinkedIn Profile Headlines to Inspire Your Own

“Pepsi: We make soda.” “Delta: We fly airplanes.” “Nike: We make sports stuff.” 

If those were advertisements, they’d make for some pretty boring Super Bowl commercials. Fortunately for us (and them), major brands don’t use such forgettable slogans. Neither should you.  

When it comes to writing their LinkedIn profile headline (that line of text that appears just below your name), many people take a “just-the-facts” approach, listing only their company or job titles. Make no mistake, though: That profile headline is your own personal ad. That’s why you should treat it like a mission statement — encapsulating who you are and why people should connect with you. 

There’s no one formula for a great headline, of course. To help you get inspired, here are 10 strategies real-life talent professionals have used to make their headlines pop — and get candidates’ attention. 

1. Shift the focus to the candidate

Talent professionals are in the business of changing lives. Ericka Fisher, vice president at executive search firm JM Search, positions her role as a service to others. As Ericka’s headline declares, she’s all about building impactful teams and “empowering people to change their lives.” 

By shifting the focus away from herself and onto the candidate, Ericka makes her profile stand out from the crowd. It’s an intriguing statement, making you wonder how she can help you change your life — giving you all the more reason to connect with her. 

2. Connect the dots between your employer and corporate brands

“Imagine the possibilities . . .” writes Erin L'Hommedieu, a technical recruiter at The Walt Disney Company, in her LinkedIn headline. It’s a clever way to take something we’ve associated with Disney since childhood — imagination — and link it to the bright future she can offer candidates.

Her LinkedIn profile photo is the icing on the cake: Decked out in Mickey Mouse ears as she sits by the computer, Erin looks like she's just waiting for the right candidate to InMail her so she can take them on that magic carpet ride to a new career. Walt would be proud!

3. Ditch the buzzwords for something more memorable

There are some buzzwords that are so overused in recruiting that candidates barely register them anymore (see: self-starter, team player, and so on). Alexandra Sazonova, a Moscow-based talent acquisition business partner at healthcare data science company IQVIA, subverts expectations in her headline with a word you wouldn’t often hear about candidates: brave. 

“Searching for brave minds to move healthcare forward,” her headline states. It grabs your attention — and immediately creates the impression of exploration, adventure, and discovery. 

4. Or use buzzwords in a memorable way to highlight your special skills

Lots of recruiters mention “unicorns” and “purple squirrels” on their LinkedIn profiles to illustrate their ability to land that mythical, impossible-to-find perfect hire. Brianna Benjamin, a senior talent acquisition sourcer at Smile Brands, puts her own spin on this with her headline — letting readers know that while she is a “Unicorn Hunter,” she’s also a “Career Match-Maker.”

The genius of this headline is that it demonstrates how she helps both companies and candidates. Yes, she’s looking for that fabled unicorn that every company wants to hire — but she’s also dedicated to helping candidates find a career that’s a perfect fit.  

5. Project confidence — and don’t be afraid to use emoticons :)

Rajat Sharma, senior recruiter at JC Penny India, has found a way to highlight that his company is hiring — by noting that he’s “possibly your future colleague.”

Reading his headline, it takes a moment for the true meaning to sink in and, when it does, it’s sure to make you smile. Rajat knows this, which is why he’s followed the confident statement with a cheeky little smiley face. 

By mentioning colleagues, Rajat also makes candidates think about one of the most exciting aspects of changing jobs: getting to meet and work with interesting new people. This is a nice way to emphasize the meaningful relationship that talent professionals can build with candidates. It’s not just about filling an open role — it’s about bringing an incredible new coworker on board. 

6. Be bold and take a calculated risk

Jason Yuan, an executive talent acquisition partner at gaming company Roblox, makes a bold statement in his headline: “I don't usually stalk profiles, but when I do I probably have a career opportunity for you.”

In one line, he manages to make candidates sit up and take notice. He then encourages job seekers to engage with him by suggesting “Let’s find out!”

7. Share your company mission

Today’s candidates want to find a sense of purpose in their work. And Samantha Humphries, senior talent acquisition partner for Baxter International, wants to help them find it. As this headline explains, she helps people do their “best work while helping save and sustain lives.”

Samantha’s headline plants the idea that mission-driven candidates can find the purpose they’ve been looking for while furthering their career.

8. Try a little flattery

A little flattery can go a long way. Tom H?rd af Segerstad, human resources generalist at Daniel Wellington, shares that he’s “hiring brilliant people” for a luxury watch and jewelry brand. 

This simple yet powerful headline accomplishes multiple objectives: It highlights the caliber of talent the company is seeking, creates a sense of exclusivity and prestige, and flatters potential candidates by implying that they belong among the “brilliant.” 

Appealing to a candidate's ego and aspirations can help you differentiate yourself and attract candidates who want to be part of something exceptional.

9. Share thought leadership

Sharing your opinion is a compelling way to stand out through your LinkedIn profile headline. 

Christopher Willridge, the human resources manager for attorney Miguel A. Elias, exemplifies this approach by sharing his hiring philosophy: “Hire people for who they are first; what they know second.” This statement not only highlights his perspective but also opens a meaningful dialogue about hiring practices and attracts like-minded connections and opportunities.

10. Craft a headline that’s unique to you

The best LinkedIn profile headlines are unique, helping you stand out and get noticed. 

Brent Morrell, the director of talent acquisition at Badger Infrastructure Solutions, uses an original headline that aligns with his personal mission to create a positive and impactful candidate and employee experience.

If you’re feeling stuck, LinkedIn’s AI-powered writing assistant (available to LinkedIn Premium subscribers) provides personalized headline suggestions tailored to your profile. Drawing insights from millions of profiles, this feature ensures your headline reflects your unique strengths and appeals to the LinkedIn community.

Final thoughts: You get 220 characters — so make them count

As a talent acquisition professional, you’re marketing yourself and the company you’re hiring for in your headline — and asking potential candidates to trust their futures to you. So, rather than simply listing your job title (which is displayed below anyway), put those 220 characters to good use by showing who you are and what you're all about.

Don’t be afraid to talk about your passions, your mission, or whatever else you care about the most. Give it a whirl and who knows — maybe your profile will show up on a list like this in future!