Why Your LinkedIn Headline is Limiting Your Opportunities

Did you know your LinkedIn headline might be costing you valuable opportunities? By default, LinkedIn recommends using your job title and company, but this could be a mistake, according to Nancy Ancowitz , NYU career director and author of Business Writing: Say More With Less.

“Your LinkedIn headline should capture your qualifications beyond your current job title,” Ancowitz says. “This approach showcases your broader professional brand and the value you bring to the field.”

Case Study: A Strategic Headline in Action

To illustrate this point, Ancowitz shares a compelling example in her book: a global compensation manager who uses the headline “Global Compensation Expert | M.S. in HR from NYU.” This subtle change can make a big difference in perception and opportunities.

“Using a headline like this allows her to communicate her skills and professional focus immediately, rather than being confined to the specifics of her current role,” Ancowitz explains. “Her headline is a strategic way to highlight her expertise, which is valuable whether she’s looking to build her network, explore new opportunities, or simply establish her presence in the industry.”

Meet Nancy Ancowitz: Career Strategist

In addition to serving as a career director at NYU, Nancy Ancowitz is also a career strategist who helps clients create powerful personal brands and sharpen their presentation skills, both online and in person. She has been speaking, writing about, and coaching introverts since the early 2000s. A pioneer in popular introvert literature, Ancowitz authored Self-Promotion for Introverts??, published by McGraw-Hill. She has written for The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal and blogs for Psychology Today.

Why 'Business Writing: Say More With Less' is a Must-Read

Wanting to publish Business Writing: Say More With Less for the start of the fall semester, Ancowitz knew that traditional publishing, which can take 12-24 months, was not an option with less than a month to go. I explained that if she chose indie publishing, we could have her book ready in two weeks, both for use in her graduate course and to help professionals beyond NYU. I had the honor of writing the foreword. The ebook launches today at just $0.99 for a limited time, with a paperback edition coming soon.

“If you’ve ever found business writing to be dry and tedious, this book offers a fresh perspective,” Ancowitz says. “It’s packed with practical tips, actionable exercises, and an answer key to help you craft clear, concise messages that get results—whether you’re writing emails, reports, or presentations.”

Maximize Your LinkedIn Presence Today

Don't let your LinkedIn headline limit your opportunities. Take a few moments today to revise it and make a stronger impression—or dive deeper into Nancy Ancowitz's insights by grabbing her new book, now available for a limited time at $0.99!

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