Have you updated your LinkedIn profile lately? Start with your LinkedIn Headline - 10 Tips

Have you updated your LinkedIn profile lately? You should start with your LinkedIn Headline.

10 Tips for Creating a Better LinkedIn Headline

The Headline section on LinkedIn is a valuable place to sum up your current and future value, your experience and functional expertise. Your LinkedIn profile is the place to tell the truth about yourself to make sure that people you know and maybe those you don’t, fully appreciate every element of you. Your headline should resonate in truth but can also be aspirational. If you don’t change it the Headline defaults to your current job. If you use more of the 220 characters to include your skills and area of specialty you will appear in more LinkedIn searches by using strategic words and phrases in your headline.

?

1.?????Change your headline from the default to a more memorable description, your unique collection of specialties and functional expertise.

2.?????Since LinkedIn is the primary place where recruiters, executive search professionals and hiring managers go to find candidates, make sure your headline reflects how you want to be perceived and found for opportunities

3.?????Separate each word or phrase by a “, or \ or |”

4.?????Avoid “seeking opportunities” “open to work” even if you are – there’s a better way to do that in your settings.

5.?????Avoid emojis and acronyms

6.?????State how you add value, where you add value (functions or roles)

7.?????Make sure your headline is keyword optimized, meaning use key words that would enable you to be found more easily for the roles or boards you are looking for.

8.??????It’s ok to say “aspiring marketing leader” if you are younger and perhaps less experienced.

9.??????Put “seeking a role that leverages my….” or “passionate about insert function or industry” if you want to move into a specific space. ?

10.?Use up as many of the 220 characters as makes sense given your background

At the end of the day, LinkedIn allows you to shape your professional brand and illustrate your value using one of the most widely used social media tools available.?