A resume headline (also known as a resume title) is a brief phrase that highlights your value as a candidate. Located at the top of your resume under your name and
contact information , a headline allows a recruiter to see quickly and concisely what makes you the right person for the job.
Resume headlines are ideal for candidates with lots of experience; a headline offers a way to condense your skills and work experience into a brief phrase to quickly impress the hiring manager. However, less experienced applicants can also use headlines to highlight personal attributes.
Tips for Writing a Resume Headline
Keep it concise. A resume headline should be one brief phrase; it should not even be a complete sentence. The goal is to concisely state your value as a candidate; anything longer than a phrase defeats the purpose of a headline.
Use keywords. Use keywords that demonstrate your skills or experience as related to the job application. Using words directly from the job application will demonstrate that you are a good fit for the job. If possible, use the job title in your headline.
Write a new headline for each job. While it will be a little extra work, be sure to create a new headline for each job application. After reading the job listing, make a list of your skills, experience, and attributes that make you a strong candidate. Then incorporate these into your headline.
Sample Resume Headlines
Goal-oriented Senior Accountant with Five Years of Accounting Experience
Successful Manager of Dozens of Online Marketing Campaigns
Cook with Extensive Fine Dining Experience
Award-winning Editor Skilled in Web Design
Detail-oriented History Student with Curatorial Experience
Army Veteran Awarded for Determination and strong Work Ethic
Bilingual Nursing Graduate with Experience in Rural Health Care
Honor-roll Student with Tutoring Experience in Numerous Subjects
Resume Headlines vs. Resume Profiles
Resume headlines are similar to resume profiles: both provide a brief summary of an applicant’s qualifications. However, a resume headline is one brief phrase, whereas a resume profile is a small paragraph or series of bulleted points. Headlines are thus even more attention grabbing than profiles.
Some applicants may include both a headline and a resume profile. They may include a headline to attract the reader, and then a profile to provide further information.
Examples of Headlines with Resume Profiles
Detail-oriented Worker with Administrative Experience
Successfully implemented innovative scheduling system to more efficiently organize meetings and travel schedules.
strong customer service and communication skills.
Fluent in Spanish.
IT Professional with Ten Years of Experience in Software Support
Skilled at operating in a wide range of platforms.
Excellent written and oral communication skills; capable of explaining complex software issues in easy-to-understand terms.
Sales Executive with Experience in Insurance and Healthcare Management
Created and implemented sales strategies to achieve 35% revenue growth per year. Highly effective management skills; able to motivate sales force and design incentive programs to achieve short and long-term sales goals.
