In the 2024 job market, LinkedIn is more crucial than ever for recent graduates. I hope your accomplishments are getting the publicity they deserve. If they aren’t, let’s change that! We can begin by writing a standout LinkedIn headline for recent graduates! Use the tips and guidelines below to make sure your LinkedIn profile isn’t skipped over by busy employers and recruiters.
My 6-page guide to the perfect LinkedIn Profile for recent graduates, with application exercises, templates and tips from the perspective of an employer.
LinkedIn Headline for Recent Graduates:
Four Foundational Tips!
1. Make your first impression count!
Many recruiters use the search feature on LinkedIn. Do you know what information shows when you appear in a LinkedIn search? A LinkedIn user will see the following:
- Profile photo
- Name
- Headline
- Location
Based on that information, the employer/recruiter will decide whether or not to invest valuable time taking a closer look at your profile. As a result, a professional photo and a compelling headline are so important!
Here’s an example of how a profile appears in a search. Notice the job seeker’s name, profile image, open-to-work feature (discussed below), location, and headline appear in a search.
2. Use keywords
If you have followed other professional writing tips I have published, you know I am not a fan of using terms like “motivated,” “hardworking,” or “leader” on a resume. I am much more interested in HOW you demonstrated these skills. Give me tangible examples rather than a list of adjectives. The same applies with a LinkedIn headline.
Additionally, a keyword-rich and precise LinkedIn headline will ensure that recruiters’ are seeing your profile in LinkedIn’s automated searches. LinkedIn is using AI to help connect recruiters and job seekers, which benefits you! However, you must have keywords in your headline to appear in these automated results.
So, a LinkedIn headline for recent graduates should include keywords that speak to your target audience. For example, maybe you are pursuing a career in graphic design. Using the keyword “Illustrator” in your headline will speak to an employer as he will be looking for someone savvy with graphic design software. A great way to identify keywords for your headline is to look at job descriptions and find trends. What skills are in demand that you possess?
3. Keep it short and sweet
A LinkedIn headline for recent graduates should be concise. LinkedIn helps you with this as a 220-character limit is in place. Suppose you can write a compelling headline in fewer characters; even better. Using solid keywords and being concise will help make you more visible on LinkedIn!
4. Use the “Open to Work” feature
A few years ago, it was common practice for job seekers to state they were looking for work in their headline. Avoid doing this! It will only hurt you. Additionally, avoid making your headline “Recent graduate of South State University” or something similar. If you take this approach, you lose the opportunity to focus on your skills. Also, advertising that you just graduated communicates less experience.
Use the “Open to Work” feature that places a small banner over the bottom of your profile photo. Selecting this option also helps your appearance in a LinkedIn search. It lets you use your valuable headline space for keywords and the formulas below.
Formulas for LinkedIn Headline for Recent Graduates
The tips above are great, but you might wonder how to implement them. Let’s talk about examples of LinkedIn headlines for recent graduates.
Option 1: What you do + What you hope to do
Example 1: “Digital Marketer passionate about helping small businesses with audience-centered strategy”
A LinkedIn headline for recent graduates should include aspirations. I see some young students with headlines like, “Recent graduate looking for a job in Digital Marketing.” It isn’t compelling, it isn’t focused on the audience, and it communicates desperation instead of optimism and enthusiasm.
Option 2: Who you help + outcomes
Example 2: “Empowering students to pursue the future with confidence and clarity”
Disclaimer, the above headline is mine! I’ve chosen to make my headline entirely audience focused. The “who you help + outcomes” formula works well if you are in a service-related industry or role.
Example 3: “Giving travelers world-class service on each flight, adventure, and business trip”
The example above was written in collaboration with a recent graduate from flight attendant school. Notice it follows the “who you help + outcomes” formula slightly differently. The “outcomes” portion is a vision that includes the keywords.
Examples of LinkedIn Headlines for Recent Graduates
Here are a few examples of LinkedIn headlines for recent graduates using the two formulas from the section above.
- Teaching underserved kids and creating equitable futures for all (education example)
- Developing innovative AI apps to save professionals time and money (software developer)
- Creating premium experiences for adventurous families | Former Disney Intern (hospitality management)
- I help people move past trauma, embrace the present, and hope for the future (counseling professional)
- Bringing new energy and ideas to digital sales | Top 10 National Sales Intern (sales professional)
LinkedIn Headline Generators 2024
With AI tools and generators exploding, you may consider using a LinkedIn Headline Generator tool. The pros of these tools are they save you time, give you a starting point for editing your headline, and are free. AI can give you help with keywords as well.
The cons are that LinkedIn headline generators cannot possibly personalize your headline. Formula two above uses “who you help + outcomes.” AI cannot know of outcomes you achieved, and AI also won’t be able to personalize your headline to whom you help. Looking at formula one above, “What you do + what you hope to do,” also poses problems for AI. A generator won’t be able to speak to your passions and goals as a recent grad.
Simply put, a LinkedIn Headline generator can generate ideas; however, I strongly caution recent grads from using this tool solely. You must edit and perfect your headline so it represents you AND speaks to your audience on LinkedIn.
Key Takeaways for Crafting a Compelling LinkedIn Headline
- First impressions count! And a LinkedIn Headline + your profile photo are your first impression
- LinkedIn’s search feature relies on keywords in a headline — make sure you include key terms so you appear in employer searches!
- Keep it short and sweet – you’re limited to 220 characters, but quick and easy-to-read headlines are best!
- Formulas for LinkedIn Headlines specifically for recent grads:
- What you do + What you hope to do
- Who you help + outcomes
- AI can be a helpful starting point, but you must personalize your headline
I love helping recent grads with job search strategies to ensure they get the best start to their professional career! Reach out for a free consultation today!
Need help with your LinkedIn headline?
Both of the formulas above are great starting points for recent graduates. But, if you are still feeling a bit uncertain about your LinkedIn headline, get the guide above to make your headline and profile stand out to LinkedIn users! In the guide, I will give you step by step instructions and tips for each section of your profile. If your LinkedIn profile currently mirrors your resume, don’t miss this inexpensive, all-inclusive guide!
Learn more about me and my services!
