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 a lot of experience. A headline allows you to condense your skills and work experience into a brief phrase that will quickly impress the hiring manager. However, less experienced applicants can also use headlines to highlight personal attributes and skills. Read below for tips on writing a resume headline, as well as resume headline examples.
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. Capitalize Your Headline: Capitalize the words in your headline so that it looks like a title to your resume. This is a helpful way to make your headline stand out. Make a Match: After reading the job listing, make a list of the skills, experience, and attributes that make you a strong candidate. Then incorporate these into your headline. This will get the hiring manager’s attention and show that you’re a match for the job. 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. Again, this alerts hiring managers that you’ve taken the time and care to tailor your resume specifically to their job opening (as opposed to sending them a generic resume). Use Keywords: Use keywords that demonstrate your skills and/or experiences as related to the job listing. Using words directly from the job listing for which you are applying will demonstrate that you are a good fit for the job. If possible, use the job title in your headline. Avoid Clichés: Because you want your headline to make you stand out as a strong candidate, avoid clichés that employers probably see on every resume. Phrases like “hard worker” and “good communication skills” are common on resumes, and do not provide much information on what makes you unique.
Resume Headline Examples
Reviewing a few examples of good resume headlines will help you when coming up with your own. Notice how these are brief and attention-grabbing, much like a catchy title to an article that makes you want to read on.
Goal-Oriented Senior Accountant with Five Years of Accounting ExperienceSuccessful Manager of Dozens of Online Marketing CampaignsCook with Extensive Fine Dining ExperienceAward-Winning Editor Skilled in Web DesignDetail-Oriented History Student with Curatorial ExperienceArmy Veteran Awarded for Determination and Strong Work EthicBilingual Nursing Graduate with Experience in Rural Health CareHonor-Roll Student with Tutoring Experience in Numerous Subjects
Resume Headlines vs. Resume Profiles
Resume headlines are similar to resume profiles in that 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. A profile is typically not capitalized like a headline is. For these reasons, headlines are even more eye-catching than profiles. Some applicants may include both a headline and a resume profile, using the headline to attract the reader, and then a profile to provide further information.
Examples of Resume Profiles with Headlines
Resume Example with a Headline
Here’s an example of a resume with a headline and a template to download (compatible with Google Docs and Word Online).
Successfully implemented an innovative scheduling system to efficiently organize meetings and travel schedules.Award-winning customer service skills.Fluent in Spanish.
Skilled at operating on a wide range of platforms.Experience training interns and new hires in various software.Capable of explaining complex software issues in easy-to-understand terms.
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.
Well-versed in tailoring IEPs to enhance students’ skill attainment and emotional development.Easily build collaborative rapport with students, parents, teachers, and other staff.Trained and certified in Crisis Prevention Institute protocols, first aid, and CPR.
Skillfully led accounting teams in uncompromised month-end close processes for corporate AP/AR, payroll, bank reconciliations, and journal adjustments in accordance with U.S. GAAP standards. Diligent in maintaining financial controls and performing internal audits.
