Do you really need to dedicate space to a resume headline? Should you cut out a precious work responsibility to make room for this seemingly repetitive phrase? The quick answer is yes.
Resume headlines give you a chance to stand out in a few pithy words. If you understand how to write a great resume header, that one line of type will be worth the cost of the real estate.
In the following guide, we take a look at what a resume heading is, some of the best resume headline examples, and expert-backed tips on how you can write yours.
A headline is a phrase that gets to the heart of your message. A resume headline serves the same function: It advertises your experience and skills to the hiring manager or recruiter. Here are the main things you need to know about your resume header before you get started:
Spoiler: your resume headline is not long. Much like a headline in a newspaper, it’s just a handful of words long. You can think of it as the title of your elevator pitch or, if you prefer, the slogan that leads off the marketing campaign for your next great job.
The remainder of your resume will consist of section titles and text that get deeper into your career, so a headline gives you the best chance to quickly raise an eyebrow.
Any opportunity to differentiate yourself at a glance is one you should not pass up. The headline for your resume is also a grabber—the aha! That makes recruiters smile and read on because they may have found who they are looking for.
A good headline for a resume sums up not your career, but the job you want to do by signaling that you already do it and do it very well. Despite this, keep in mind that your focus is the present—what you do now or have done. This is not a career objective statement, which tells hiring managers what you would like to do in the future.
Below, you will find resume headline examples for different careers. Use these for some ideas, then check out our tips and takeaways at the end of the article.
For more specific ideas, check out Resume.io’s more than 500 resume examples and guides for more inspiration.
Now that you’ve checked out the resume header examples, let’s talk about where yours should go. Usually, the headline sits directly below your name or above your summary statement, depending on the design of your resume.
Put simply, it’s one of the first things that the hiring manager should see. The above placement ensures a direct link between your name and this key statement about yourself.
Since you want recruiters to link your name with your achievements, you should not move your resume headline too far from your name. Keep them close together.
Ready to get started and write your resume headline? You can use the resume header examples we have shared for inspiration. However, you might want some additional tips to help you along the way. Here are some pointers that you should keep in mind:
Make a list of every responsibility, type of knowledge or desirable characteristic you can think of and organize it in a way that makes the most sense to you. You may make a list of hard skills, one of soft skills and another of accomplishments to which you can attach supporting data. List all the software and specialized equipment you have used as well.
That list will form the basis of your resume headlines. Don’t sell yourself short here. Feel free to use strong, positive descriptions. You’re not just a salesperson; you’re a dedicated salesperson.
Personalization rules. Take the time to research the business to which you are applying and edit your resume headline accordingly. This offers hiring managers a quick way to find out what you think is the greatest asset you will bring to the job.
Using keywords associated with the job or company in your resume headline is a quick way to beat the bots. Only around 25 percent of candidates make it past the Applicant Tracking System (ATS) screening. By taking this extra step along the way, you significantly boost your chances.
Your resume headline should be less than one line long. Although there’s no standard format for this feature, most headlines will end up with similar structures because of the limited number of words and space.
You might have seen that in our resume headline examples. They start with a job title or description, followed by a career highlight, expertise, or impressive achievement.
Resume headlines may also include years of experience or a phrase such as “highly experienced” that alludes to your length of tenure. This immediately tells the reader what you are bringing to the table. Here are three examples for a corporate accountant:
Resume headline example: Corporate accountant with an eagle eye for cost savings
Resume headline example: Corporate accountant with 5+ years specializing in tax compliance
Resume headline example: Corporate accountant with expertise in financial statement analysis
Your resume headline should pack a real punch. One approach you can use is incorporating action verbs into this short line. These words put you in the driving seat, showing that you have the power to add real value to the business. Examples include the following:
You can use the above words in the past or present tense, depending on what you choose for your resume headline. Peppering this line with these words could make a huge difference.
When the hiring manager glances at your resume, the headline is one of the first things they will see. Should it have a typo, you will immediately lose their interest.
While this is only a short piece of content, it’s important to proofread and edit it well. You can also use Grammarly here.
And finally, don’t make the mistake of confusing the resume headline and title. These are not the same thing. Here’s a quick breakdown of each to help you out:
When you are writing your resume, it’s important not to get these two things confused. Your resume title just tells the reader what job you are aiming for. On the other hand, as we have shown here, the resume headline can directly target the role and grab attention, too.
Your resume headline is your chance to grab the reader’s attention. This one-liner expresses your career at present, not your goals. Link your name firmly with your headline to help recruiters remember you. Showcase your greatest skills or achievements and highlight how you will solve the company’s problem. That way, you increase your chance of landing an interview.
Looking for some extra help along the way? Look at our resume templates so you can create your resume!