Written by: Ruth V. Walker, PhD

Published February 9, 2024

One of the (many) things I stress to students in my Psychology as a Profession course is the need for them to "establish a strategic online presence." This is a part of the call by the revised Guidelines for the Undergraduate Psychology Major by the American Psychological Association 3.0. As an undergraduate student, the best places to establish your professional online identity is through professional social networking site LinkedIn.  [Note that many universities also use HandShake, which is also an excellent way for students to connect with local employers offering part-time and full-time jobs, as well as internships. Check out your university website to see if this is an option for you.]

When you set up your LinkedIn profile, you want to develop a Headline that will leave an impression with hiring managers, recruiters, and people you are reaching out to connect with as you build your professional network. Your headline is the first thing people see after your name, so you want it to communicate key information about you and help convince a hiring manager to take the time to look at you more closely. One mistake many job seekers make is using the default headline that lists your current position. For many students, this is going to be your status as a student. For example, it might read "Student at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga" or "Line Cook at Buffalo Wild Wings." Instead, you want your headline to include the following types of information:

1. State your target career

2. Communicate your unique value proposition

3. Include marketable skills

4. Highlight measurable metrics

What does that look like for an undergraduate student without a lot of experience?

Here are some general tips for creating your own!

1. State Your Target Career: Begin your headline by clearly stating your desired career path or target role. This immediately communicates your professional aspirations to anyone viewing your profile.

2. Communicate Your Unique Value Proposition: Highlight what sets you apart from other candidates in your field. Whether it's your unique skills, experiences, or passions, make sure your headline communicates the value you bring to the table.

3. Focus on Skills: Instead of simply listing your current position, focus on showcasing your relevant skills and strengths. This could include specific abilities you've developed through coursework, internships, practicums, assistantships, paid work, or extracurricular activities related to psychology.

4. Include Measurable Metrics: Where possible, include measurable metrics or achievements to provide context for your skills and experiences. This could include things like the number of years of experience, specific projects you've worked on, or any relevant certifications or awards you've received.

5. Keep it Engaging and Professional: While you want to stand out, it's important to maintain a professional tone in your headline. Avoid using overly casual language or slang, and make sure your headline is appropriate for the professional audience you're trying to reach.

6. Update Regularly: As your career goals and experiences evolve, make sure to update your headline accordingly. This ensures that your profile remains relevant and reflects your current aspirations and accomplishments.

7. Seek Inspiration and Feedback: Don't hesitate to look at the headlines of professionals in your desired field for inspiration. Additionally, consider seeking feedback from mentors, peers, or career advisors to ensure your headline effectively communicates your professional brand.

AI LinkedIn Headline Generators

There are some AI LinkedIn headline generators that can help get you started. However, know that they are not going to be able to include information that you have not given them. In order to highlight your skills and measurable metrics that can help set you apart, you will need to input that information.  Here are four LinkedIn profile headline generators you can try:

1. Taplio LinkedIn Headline Generator

2. copy.ai LinkedIn Headline Generator

3. Resume Worded LinkedIn Headline Generator

4. Writerbuddy LinkedIn Headline Generator

ChatGPT can also be a good tool to help craft your LinkedIn profile. Here is an example of a good prompt you can input, "I need help crafting a compelling LinkedIn Profile Headline that includes my target career (insert target career here), unique value proposition, marketable skills (insert marketable skills here), and measurable metrics (insert measurable metrics here)." For example, I input the following for one of my students using their information, "I need help crafting a compelling LinkedIn Profile Headline that includes my target career (high school teacher), unique value proposition, marketable skills (undergraduate student in education, dean's list, summer camp counselor), and measurable metrics (5 years of community volunteer experience)." Here is the headline ChatGPT suggested:

Aspiring High School Teacher | Dean's List Scholar | Education Major with 5 Years of Community Volunteer Experience

Want more examples?

Future School Psychologist | Dean’s List Scholar | 100+ Hours of Classroom Observation Experience

Aspiring Industrial-Organizational Psychologist | Data Analysis Enthusiast | Proficient in SPSS and Qualtrics

Motivated Counseling Psychology Student | Crisis Intervention Volunteer | Dedicated to Mental Health Advocacy

Passionate Human Resources Specialist | HR Internship Experience | Skilled in Recruitment and Employee Relations

Emerging Neuropsychologist | Neuroscience Research Assistant | Expertise in EEG Data Analysis

Future Forensic Psychologist | Internship at Juvenile Detention Center | Proficient in Forensic Assessment Tools

Aspiring Health Psychologist | Public Health Research Assistant | Experience in Health Behavior Change Interventions

Motivated Sports Psychology Student | Athlete Mentor | Applied Sports Performance Analysis Skills

Aspiring Developmental Psychologist | Early Childhood Education Volunteer | Dedicated to Child Development Research

Now it's your turn to apply these tips to your own profile! By following the guidelines outlined above, you can create a headline that effectively communicates your career goals, highlights your unique strengths, and makes a memorable impression on potential employers and professional connections.