LinkedIn headline examples for clients, jobs and authority

A strong LinkedIn headline says who you help, with what, and one specific proof, in words the right person would search for. The headline field allows up to 220 characters, but the first part does most of the work because it is what people see beside your name in search and comments. Write it for one goal: clients, a job, or authority in your field.

A formula

Role or what you do + who it is for + one proof or specialism.

Lead with the words someone would type into LinkedIn search.

Examples for winning clients

• "Bookkeeper for UK tattoo studios and body jewellery shops | Xero and Shopify"
• "Airbnb co-host in Bristol | I manage 14 flats for owners who live abroad"
• "Employment solicitor for small hospitality businesses | Fixed-fee contracts and disputes"

Each names the client and the work. Numbers like "14 flats" must be true.

Examples for job seekers

• "Warehouse team leader | Forklift licensed | Looking for shift lead roles in the West Midlands"
• "Junior data analyst | SQL, Python, Power BI | Open to roles in London or remote"
• "Customer service manager | Retail and ecommerce | Led teams of up to 12"

Recruiters search for skills and job titles. Put them first, then your location or availability.

Examples for authority

• "Writing about fair hiring for small UK employers | Founder at a recruitment software firm"
• "Multi-site restaurant operator | Sharing what Google reviews tell us about each branch"
• "London property investor | Weekly notes on yield, licensing and below-market buys"

Authority headlines tell people what you will post about, which gives them a reason to follow.

Common mistakes

• Only a job title and company name, which says nothing about who you help.
• Strings of buzzwords such as "visionary leader" or "growth hacker".
• Several goals at once. A headline aimed at clients and recruiters serves neither.
• Stating results you cannot back up.

Match the headline to the rest of your profile

The headline earns the click; the About section and your posts need to support it. Our About section examples follow the same three goals, and our hook examples help your posts do the same job.

Reachwyn's Profile Optimizer rewrites your headline and About section for one of those three goals, using facts from your Story Bank, and keeps a history of past versions.

Related reading from Braivex

Hiring managers checking candidates' profiles should still score against the job; see which CV red flags are fair. Co-hosts using the client headline above may also want a walkthrough video for owner pitches.

Frequently asked questions

How long can a LinkedIn headline be?

Up to 220 characters.

Should I put my job title in my headline?

Yes if you are job seeking, because recruiters search titles. For clients, lead with what you do for them.

Can I use emojis in a headline?

You can, but they take space and can look out of place in professional searches. Use them sparingly, if at all.

Talk to us

See the Profile Optimizer at reachwyn.braivex.com, or book a scoping call on the contact page.