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.
What is a resume headline?
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:
It’s short and snappy
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.
It grabs serious attention
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.
It accentuates your value
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.
Examples of resume headlines for different careers
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.
Accounting and finance
- Mid-career financial analyst and expert auto industry market forecaster
- Financial advisor with 10+ years of helping clientele grow their nest eggs
- Auditing clerk with expertise in QuickBooks and record compliance
- Loan officer specializing in attracting small business accounts
Business and management
- Project manager who kept 10 projects on schedule and under budget this year
- Business development manager with high level of customer retention and expansion
- Business analyst with expertise in fashion and beauty trends and markets
- Newly minted MBA with concentration in entrepreneurship
Hospitality and catering
- Deliciously creative chef with 5+ years cooking at Michelin star restaurant
- Restaurant manager focused on limiting waste and retaining staff
- Concierge and lifelong city resident; winner of US Hotel Employee of the Year, 2018
- Unflappable line cook known for perfectly seasoned burgers every time
Maintenance and repair
- Carpenter/craftsman who designs and builds custom furniture
- Master electrician with 6 years of experience in household rewiring
- Plumbing contractor with 5 years of new construction expertise
- Industrial repairman with 10+ years of experience in heavy machinery
Marketing
- Dedicated marketing associate with 2 years focusing on digital campaigns
- Content writer with specialty in B2B client services and 5+ year track record
- Marketing consultant with 15+ years of high-profile client satisfaction
- Creative director overseeing complete redesign of $5M+ food product line
Medical
- Attentive registered nurse with 7 years experience in cardiac units
- Licensed pharmacist with 8-year error-free record in lab work
- Soothing dental assistant known for easing patient anxiety multi-specialty practice
- Physical therapist specializing in traumatic spinal injury
Sales
- IT salesperson generating $1.4 million in revenue yearly
- Friendly sales associate with 2 years selling power tools at hardware store
- Sales manager whose team exceeded consulting sales goals by 10% three years running
- Account executive with 4+ years of 95%+ client satisfaction numbers
Teaching and education
- Dedicated middle school teacher with 7+ years of classroom experience
- Empathetic teacher ensuring students maintain a 3.0 to 4.0 GPA
- Special ed teacher confident in delivering individualized education programs (IEPs)
Where does the headline on a resume go?
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.
Tips to create a good resume headline
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:
1. Consider your top skills
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.
2. Tailor your resume headline
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.
3. Keep it concise yet impactful
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.
4. Quantify your experiences
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
5. Use action verbs
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:
- Headed
- Orchestrated
- Maximized
- Oversaw
- Showcased
- Outperformed
- Targeted
- Forged
- Delivered
- Overhauled
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.
6. Proofread and edit
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.
Resume headline vs. resume title: the difference
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:
- Resume title. This is usually 2-3 words and simply states your job title.
- Resume headline: This short line also mentions your achievements, years of experience, and special skills.
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.
Key takeaways
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!
