Now this may be a surprise to you – and a point of debate amongst many – but I would recommend never – I repeat never – using ‘Seeking next opportunity’ or equally pitiful phrase in your LinkedIn headline on your profile page.
It may very well be the case you are between jobs and looking for that next role, but here’s the thing…It sounds desperate (and way too general). It sounds weak and submissive. It sounds just plain pathetic….Something akin to ‘Please sir, may I have some more?’ or even ‘Don’t hurt me’ (cue sounds of whimpering in the background).
The headline in your LinkedIn profile, is just that – a headline! The definition of ‘headline’ is: ‘Summary of the most important items in a news article’. (Australian Pocket Oxford dictionary). If the most important thing about you is that you are seeking an opportunity, then you are barking up the wrong tree!
The headline should spell out WHO you are professionally and potentially WHAT you bring to the table in terms of skills or experience in around 120 characters. For example:
> Regional General Manager with proven success in turnarounds
> Commercial Human Resources Business Partner with experience in the Pharmaceutical & Transport sectors
> Finance Manager with a flair for strategy and tax
I have no problem in my clients using the ‘Summary’ section of their LinkedIn profile to convey that they are looking for their next role and actually stating what that is (e.g. ‘I am looking for my next role as a senior Marketing Director or Manager within a large multinational IT or high technology firm. I can be contacted on…’). It’s not a headline, but it does allow you to convey your target role to those visiting your LinkedIn profile.
Use your headline as it’s intended to be used. Not as an opportunity to beg, but as an opportunity to declare to all and sundry who you are and what you offer!
The Career Medic – Taking the worry out of job search for the over 40s
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