If you think you've finished writing your resume, think again. There's probably something you've missed or at least didn't put enough effort into. Take a step back from your computer and look at your resume. You should be able to instantly identify the type of position you're seeking.
The headline on your resume can be one of the simplest ways to immediately capture a hiring manager's attention. Unfortunately, many job seekers neglect this important tool. We want to help you avoid that trap so that your resume doesn't get lost in the crowd. Seems easy enough, right? Well, getting it right can be harder than you think. That's okay, though, because we've got you covered!
Below, you'll find 27 great resume headline examples to help you stand out from the crowd, plus simple tips to help you write it with pizzazz.
A headline for your resume is a single line that sums up your relevant skills and professional experiences. It's located beneath your name and personal information and serves as a summarization of your resume summary.
It's different from a simple resume title, which is nothing more than the job title that you're seeking. Resume titles do not include mention of skills or achievements or anything else of value. If you're applying for a Human Resources Specialist role, the title of your resume would simply be “Human Resources Specialist.” Obviously, that simple approach is pretty dull – and does nothing to help you stand out from the crowd.
On the other hand, an effective resume headline can capture the attention of recruiters and hiring managers as they're quickly skimming a stack of resumes. A well-written headline can also provide you with another opportunity to inject relevant keywords and phrases into your resume, which can help your submission to get past the ATS.
The best way to understand great resume titles and headlines is to review some resume headline examples. Feel free to steal one of these for yourself or use them as inspiration in crafting your own stand-out resume headline.
Of course, the main goal of a resume headline is to help your resume stand out from your rivals, but having a compelling resume headline can also ensure that you make a lasting first impression. Taking the time to write something more than a simple title shows that you pay attention to the details.
When you set yourself apart from the competition, employers will have a reason to read further into your resume. They will instantly recognize that your application demands attention.
Spending a few extra minutes on your headline strengthens your personal brand and showcases the things that make you the best candidate for the job. Ultimately, the time spent creating your resume could be just what you need to help your resume grow legs, stand up on the hiring manager's desk, and shout, “Hey, look at me, I'm the one!”
Now that you have some resume headline examples, it's time to write your own creative resume title. Keep these tips in mind as you craft the perfect one-liner for your resume:
Your resume headline is a great opportunity to include specific keywords relevant to the job posting. This not only helps you stand out, but it can also help your resume to rank higher in companies' applicant tracking systems.
To determine the best keywords to include in a good headline for your resume, study the job listing.
If so, consider including those in your resume headline.
Because each job is different, it's important to carefully consider your resume headline when applying to different positions. Look through each job opening and consider the required skills, experiences, certifications, and soft skills. Once you have an idea of what the company needs for a new staff member to do in the role, use those keywords in your headline. This is called tailoring.
Using an adjective in your resume headline can help you stand out, but you should avoid overused words like hard-working, detail-oriented, innovative, and creative. Instead, use attention-grabbing adjectives like instrumental, energetic, imaginative, driven, or responsive.
Are you a doer or an achiever? Instead of using your resume headline to “tell” the reader you're an effective employee, show it with awards, numbers, or certifications.
Here are some resume headline examples that show how achievements can make an impact:
Finally, it's important to make sure your strong resume headline stands out – literally. Leverage your resume's design to highlight your headline or title. It shouldn't be as big or as bold as your name at the top of the page, but it should be one of the first things the hiring manager sees before scanning down to your resume summary.
We've already established that using a title rather than a headline is boring and won't serve you very well when you're trying to stand out from the crowd. There are other mistakes you'll also want to avoid, though. We've highlighted a few below.
The concept of targeting and tailoring your resume is critical. Fail to do so at your peril. When you lack specificity in your resume, including your headline, you do nothing to set yourself apart from others.
Many people think that if they have a general resume, they can use the same one for every job they seek. That simply will not work, and the main reason has to do with modern applicant tracking systems.
These applicant tracking systems search all incoming resumes against the keywords and phrases they're programmed to look for. If the ATS doesn't find the requisite keywords, your resume is sent to the bottom of the pile.
Even if you think that industry-specific terminology will help demonstrate your familiarity within your field, it's important to recognize that excessive use of jargon could be a turnoff for hiring managers and recruiters. Considering that they're spending just seconds skimming through your resume, you don't want to include any words that might cause confusion.
PRO TIP: The fact that you're applying for a tech role, for example, doesn't necessarily mean that a tech person will be the only person reviewing your resume.
While we're on the subject, you should also give buzzwords the boot. Instead, use action words that show how your past achievements will resonate with future employers.
With that said, they don't want to see a bunch of superlatives. You know, those words that end with "-est" or "-ly" like "best-in-class," "highest revenue generator," or “expertly.” If you're going to write something on your resume about generating the highest revenue, prove it by using numbers.
Remember: Substance matters!
It's not good enough to treat the headline of your resume as one more box to check off on your resume-writing to-do list. You should spend a fair amount of time on it to ensure that it's properly tailored to the job you want in a way that will sing your praises to a hiring manager and help you to stand out from the crowd.
Check your headline to ensure that it:
When you hit all of these notes, you'll have a killer headline that's sure to wow the hiring manager and win a coveted spot at the interview table.
Want help crafting an impressive resume headline? A professional resume review is a good start.
This article was originally written by Carlson Kohler and has been updated by Marsha Hebert and Ken Chase.
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