Key takeaways
- Headline = target title + core stack + proof of impact.
- Experience bullets should show outcomes with numbers, not lists of tasks.
- Add the skills recruiters actually search for, and turn on Open to Work (recruiters only).
- A clear photo, custom URL and a short About section make you look credible fast.
Headline: write it for search
Your headline is the most important field for recruiter search. Use the title you want, your core stack and one proof point:
Senior Backend Engineer · Go, Kubernetes, AWS · Scaled payments to 10M+ users
Avoid vague headlines like "Passionate problem solver".
About: three short paragraphs
- What you do and for whom (one sentence).
- Two or three career highlights with numbers.
- What you're looking for next and how to reach you.
Experience: impact over tasks
Rewrite each bullet as action + what + measurable result:
Before: "Worked on the checkout service."
After: "Redesigned checkout service caching, cutting p95 latency 40% and reducing failed payments."
Lead with your most recent and relevant role; keep older roles short.
Skills and settings
- Add 10–15 skills that match job descriptions you're targeting and pin the top three.
- Turn on Open to Work — recruiters only and list target titles and locations.
- Set a custom profile URL and a clear, friendly photo.
- Ask two colleagues for short, specific recommendations.
Get a second opinion
It's hard to judge your own profile. Share a screenshot with a trusted peer — or an AI coach — and ask: "What role would you hire me for, and what's missing?"
Want feedback on your profile?
Drop a LinkedIn screenshot and WAVYLON rewrites your headline and bullets for your target role.
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FAQ
What should I put in my LinkedIn headline as a software engineer?
Your target title, core technologies and one measurable achievement — for example "Senior Frontend Engineer · React, TypeScript · Led redesign used by 2M users".
Does Open to Work hurt my chances?
The recruiters-only setting is visible to recruiters, not your whole network, and helps you appear in recruiter searches.
How long should my About section be?
Short: three compact paragraphs that a recruiter can skim in about 20 seconds.