Your LinkedIn Headline Is Costing You Interviews—Here’s How to Fix It
*The most underrated part of your profile might be the reason you’re not getting recruiters reaching out.*
You have 220 characters to get someone’s attention. And most biotech professionals waste them. Here’s how to write a LinkedIn headline that actually attracts interviews.
Why Your Headline Matters More Than Ever in 2025
It’s not just a formality. Your LinkedIn headline:
- Follows you around the platform
- Impacts how you show up in recruiter search
- Is often the first and only thing someone sees before deciding to click
And LinkedIn’s algorithm in 2025 continues to prioritize headlines and About sections with clear, keyword-rich language. That means clarity, positioning, and strategic wording are more important than ever.
Translation?
If your headline isn’t positioned properly, you won’t even show up, let alone stand out.
Most Headlines Fall into 3 Traps:
1. The Job Title Trap
This is the default setting—just your title and company. No keywords. No outcomes. No hook.
Example:
“Director, Market Access at Vertex Pharmaceuticals”
It’s accurate—but it doesn’t sell you. It doesn’t speak to what you do, solve, or want next.
2. The Laundry List (2024) vs What Works in 2025
In 2024, a lot of professionals were told to cram as many keywords as possible into their headline—so they show up in recruiter searches.
Example (2024-style):
Commercial Strategy | Rare Disease | Biotech | Launch Excellence | Oncology | Cross-Functional Leader | Growth Driver
Technically accurate? Yes. But it reads like buzzword soup. It doesn’t differentiate you—it just lists topics.
What works in 2025:
Strategic Commercial Leader | Launch & Access in Rare Disease | Driving Growth in Emerging Biotechs
This version:
- Still includes important terms (strategy, launch, rare disease, biotech)
- Adds clarity and story: it tells us what you do and where you add value
- Is tailored and relevant, not generic
3. The Vague Vibe
These are the motivational posters of LinkedIn.
Example:
“Empowering teams to drive innovation and unlock potential”
We love a good pep talk—but that won’t get you found in a keyword search or make a hiring manager curious.
What to Write Instead: The YGC Formula 🔬
We coach our clients to use this 3-part structure:
[Who You Are] + [What You Do Exceptionally Well] + [Biotech-Relevant Keywords]
Examples:
Strategic Commercial Leader | Rare Disease Launch & Market Access | Driving Patient-Centered Growth in Biotech
Biotech Sales Executive | Building & Leading Award-Winning Teams | Oncology | Immunology | Rare Disease
MSL | Scientific Storytelling & KOL Engagement | Neurology | Thought Leader Development | First-in-Class Therapies
This structure blends positioning + clarity + searchability. It shows you know your lane—and you’re damn good at it.
Quick LinkedIn Headline Checklist ✅
Ask yourself:
- Does it say what I actually want to be hired for?
- Would a recruiter know where to place me?
- Does it include at least 1–2 industry-specific keywords?
- Would it catch the eye of someone scrolling?
If not, rewrite it.
Want a second set of eyes on your headline?
It’s always smart to have a former biotech recruiter (hi 👋) review your LinkedIn profile—especially your headline.
We’ll tell you:
- If you’re showing up in searches
- If your keywords are helping or hurting you
- And how to make sure recruiters don’t just find you—they want to reach out
✨ This is exactly what we cover in the Career Materials Audit—a 45-minute review of your resume and LinkedIn, packed with actionable feedback and fast wins.
→ Book your audit now and get expert eyes on your LinkedIn.
