Let’s discuss LinkedIn titles for entrepreneurs, job seekers, employed professionals, nonprofits, and terminal degrees. LinkedIn is a treasure trove database, so use it if you want to be found.

Entrepreneurs

As an entrepreneur, you decide your path for key titles and keywords but also note the tips provided in the sections below. I don’t understand why you need to call yourself CEO or President as a solopreneur.

Think like Google. Don’t you want to be found for what you do for the product or service you sell? It’s more about getting found for what value you provide and who needs what you are offering.

Who is your target audience? I can’t imagine that people typically enter into Google or LinkedIn search for CEO of Graphic Design or President of Website Design. They are putting into Graphic Designer or Website Designer or Website Development. If you are the CEO or President of a multi-million or billion-dollar company, that’s another story.

Job Seekers

Since I focus on key titles and keywords with clients, I use LinkedIn’s database and various tools for data-driven decision-making. One tool job seekers should know about is LinkedIn’s Github Career Explorer. If you scroll down the page, you will find a spot to enter a job title to get some keywords, information, and data, but the title you seek must be in the database, or you will have to choose the closest synonym. Speaking of synonyms, I also like to see what is happening on Google Trends outside of LinkedIn and compare synonyms or key titles and keywords.

If you are changing jobs for whatever reason, you should consider using the job titles in LinkedIn’s database and not the actual title you have if you want to be found. For example, someone with the title of Project Manager III could put it on their resume, but it would be Project Manager on LinkedIn, as selected from the drop-down menu.

Another technique I have used is an embellished job title of up to 100 characters, though some career coaches are purists with the database market filter. Try creating embellished job titles for past jobs and see what happens. I have had clients successfully found by adding extra keywords after their job title. Read A True Story at the bottom of the article on the pros and cons of embellished job titles.

Employed Professionals

Market filters on LinkedIn refer to search parameters that help users narrow down results within the platform’s massive database. These premium search filters can include industry, location, company size, job title, seniority level, and more. When used strategically—especially in tools like LinkedIn Recruiter or Sales Navigator—they help users target specific audiences for hiring, networking, or business development. Essentially, they turn LinkedIn from a social network into a robust searchable database.

So, if you are considering changing jobs, you should use the job titles in LinkedIn’s database rather than the other titles noted in the previous section.

Nonprofits

Like other nonprofit organizations, my title of Executive Director for Great Careers Network typically refers to the top leadership role, overseeing day-to-day operations, strategic planning, fundraising, and volunteer management. While the Executive Director reports to the Board of Directors (BOD), they are not always a board member themselves unless the bylaws explicitly allow it. This role is the primary liaison between the board and the organization, ensuring that the nonprofit’s mission and goals are carried out effectively and in compliance with legal and financial regulations. In my case, I am a BOD member and on the Executive Leadership Team. My name is listed on the legal and financial documents submitted to the federal, state, and local tax authorities.

Terminal Degrees

In July 2024, I wrote an article titled Terminal Degrees, Recognitions, Honors, & Awards on LinkedIn and want to recap some important points.

LinkedIn is a database with specific fields like first name, last name, phone number, and email. Unless “Dr.” is on your birth certificate, don’t use it as your first name. You’ve earned your degree—congrats!—but list your name correctly: first name in the first name field, last name followed by credentials (PhD, EdD, PsyD, DO, MD, etc.). Using “Dr.” as your first name can make finding you harder.

My Thoughts on Titles

Here is an Instagram post that sums up how I feel, and some of you may feel the same way, too.

“I actually don’t want to climb any corporate ladders. I don’t care about job titles. I don’t need accolades. I just want to have income to fund my lifestyle, not be depressed, help other people, and be around good humans. Dassit.” ~ @workdungeon March 8, 2025

When I was younger and married, my husband and I grew a general contracting and construction management business from $0 to $5M-$7M with 24 employees. We did the hustle while raising children until he died of leukemia at age 54.

Now, I run two businesses (for-profit and nonprofit) with flexible hours. I can choose to work or leave time to babysit my grandsons and make frequent trips to see Mickey Mouse as a Disney Nerd! At this point in my life, it’s more about lifestyle choices, and I like helping people 1:1 with my areas of expertise. It brings me joy and doesn’t feel like work. LinkedIn is my canvas!

Whether I want to create my own work/life balance or work/life chaos is my choice. 

My title does not matter. It’s what I do to solve problems and pain points that matter.

Dassit! However … I kinda like teacherpreneur!

If you need assistance with your resume, LinkedIn, LinkedIn company page, or keywords, I can help!

If you are rusty about current trends in resumes, LinkedIn, networking, and job preparation skills, see the upcoming online events list below at the Great Careers Network for support in a community. We are family!

Did you read the article from last week? How Do You Stand Out in Job Applications?

NEXT STEPS

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UPCOMING EVENTS

Join us at our Nonprofit Events Quick List Page

• Sat Apr 5 – Audio Leadership Club Member Spotlight
• Sun Apr 6 – LinkedIn Profile Reviews
• Mon Apr 7 – 5 Tips to Overcome Legal Discrimination
• Tue Apr 8 – How to Gain Customers with a LinkedIn Company Page
• Tue Apr 8 – Using a Video Introduction to Network with Hiring Managers
• Tue Apr 8 – The Emotional Side of Job Transition & Job Loss
• Wed Apr 9 – Careerland Q&A for the Game of Life
• Thu Apr 10 – Tips to Optimize Your Resume
• Thu Apr 10 – Virtual Jobseeker Support Group
• Mon Apr 14 – Career Success Group Job Seeker Accountability & Networking
• Tue Apr 15 – LinkedIn for Nonprofits
• Tue Apr 15 – Lehigh Valley Business Executives Networking Group & ChemPharma
• Wed Apr 16 – What’s Your Shtick? Personal Branding On & Off LinkedIn
• Thu Apr 17 – Recruiter on Call with Jobs
• Thu Apr 17 – Discovering Your Purpose in Act 2
• Tue Apr 22 – LinkedIn for Nonprofits
• Tue Apr 22 – LinkedIn Tips to Build Your Brand
• Tues Apr 22 – How AI Can Help People Increase Productivity
• Tue Apr 22 – Business Executives Networking Group (BENG) & ChemPharma
• Wed Apr 23 – Beating the Applicant Tracking System
• Thu Apr 24 – Career Success Group Job Seeker Accountability & Networking
• Thu Apr 24 – NotebookLM: Your documents + AI = Your Job Search Edge
• Thu Apr 24 – What do you do when you can’t do what you used to do?
• Fri Apr 25 – True Hospitality: Lessons Learned from Behind the Concierge Desk
• Mon Apr 28 – Immigrant Professionals Career Support: Get Ready for Your Interview