How strong is your LinkedIn headline?

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Your LinkedIn headline is important. It appears directly under your name and should capture the essence of your occupation or career target.

Many people use their current job title and company name as a headline, such as “Receptionist at ABC Company” or “Program Coordinator at XYZ Industries.” However headlines that use a current title and company can sometimes pose problems such as these:

• Your current job title does not convey your true job duties
• You were laid off and accepted a lower-level position because you needed a job
• You want to switch careers to a totally different occupation

A better strategy would be to use a headline which contains words that recruiters or potential customers would use to search for someone in your profession. Be specific and try to use impactful words that capture their attention. Here are some examples:

• Award-Winning Public Relations Executive
• Experienced Executive Assistant -- Driven to Go Above and Beyond
• Marketing Leader | Social Media Guru
• Sales Director  -– Leading teams to be top performers in competitive markets

 If you decide it’s time to ramp up your headline, here’s how you can edit it:

1. At the top of your LinkedIn homepage, click the “Me” icon and choose “View Profile”
2. Click the Edit (pencil) icon located to the right of your name and current headline
3. On the next screen, make your changes and click “Save”

Strong headlines are compelling. They stand out and from the blah ones and can make a difference.