resume header examples 2022

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A resume header is the first thing recruiters check out on your resume.

Click here to directly go to the complete resume header examples.

You've come to the right place to learn how to make headers for resumes that will increase your chances of getting that coveted interview.

Resume Headings carry all your personal, contact, and social media information. They introduce you to the recruiter and are (correctly) given a lot of importance while making a resume.

Using a poor resume headings format can even mess with the ATS software used by many hiring managers.

Here's a summary of how to write the headers for resumes:

• Do not name your resume as ' RESUME ' or ' CV ', just start with your name.
• Write your name between 14-16 points and with proper spacing.
• Do not write the function in the title but the proper designation .
• Do not write more than one phone number or e-mail address.
• Provide the current location of your residence.

In this blog we will walk you through:

• What exactly is a resume header?
• What are some examples of resume header?
• What is the best resume header format?
• How to make your resume header stand out?
• What not to add on your resume header?
• How to create headers for resumes on word?
• Best resume heading checklist

Imagine that your contact information in the resume header is not correctly picked up by the Applicant Tracking System. Now, the recruiter can't get in touch with you even if they are interested!

This blog post will cover the following topics:

What is the Resume Header?

As the name suggests, a resume header is at the top of your resume and mainly contains your name, resume title, and contact information along with social and professional information.

To make your resume writing experience effortless, we have got some hacks:

• Put your personal contact info in the correct order
• Include your name , resume title , location , phone number , & email address
• Add extra information like LinkedIn id , only if relevant
• Make it easily readable by styling it right.
• Do not start your resume by naming it as Resume or CV

10+ Resume Header Examples

Each of these resume heading examples has been created by our experts on our online resume builder .

Feel free to build your own resume heading using these!

1.Software Developer Resume Header

Also Read : How to Write a software developer resume in 2022?

2. Business Development Associate Resume Header

Also Read : How to Write a business developer resume in 2022?

3. Data Analyst Resume Header

Also Read : How to Write a data analyst resume in 2022?

4. Digital Marketing Associate Resume Header

Also Read : How to Write a digital marketing resume in 2022?

5. Marketing Manager Resume Header

Also Read : How to Write a marketing manager resume in 2022?

6. AWS Resume Header

Also Read : How to Write an AWS resume in 2022?

7. Cyber Security Analyst Resume Header

Also Read : How to Write a cyber security resume in 2022?

8. Business Analyst Resume Header

Also Read : How to Write a business analyst resume in 2022?

9. Medical Assistant Resume Header

Also Read : How to Write a medical assistant resume in 2022?

10. Customer Service Associate Resume Header

Also Read : How to Write a customer service assistant resume in 2022?

Why Do You Need Resume Headers?

It is convenient to have the name of the candidate at the beginning of your resume - both for the recruiter and for the candidate.

A resume header serves the purpose of identifying your resume. In fact, we suggest highlighting the header of the resume to differentiate it from the body of the resume.

Also Read : How to Write a Stellar Resume in 2022?

Resume Heading Format

The resume header format that you choose should always be at the starting of the page.

Select it as the left margin or put it at the center. Your name is the most important thing, and the second most important thing is your phone number and e-mail address.

Then add additional information like a clickable website or social media links. There are different types of resume header formats but the contact information format is always the same and it comes first.

If you want to directly look at the resume header sample, you can skip to the end of this article.

Resume Header: Name

Make sure that your name is the most visible part of your resume. Your name will make your resume stand apart from hundreds of other resumes.

• Make your name the biggest thing on your resume .
• If you have different names (like Kenneth, Kenny, or a maiden name), you should use the version that is most searchable on the internet.
• Keep the name the same across all of your profiles that you have listed. Your portfolio website, Twitter handle, and LinkedIn profile should all belong to you.

Resume Header: Resume Title

What is a resume title?

A resume title presents your profile to the recruiter in one word or a couple of words. It summarizes your professional experience in one or two words.

As important as it sounds to list the title on your resume, it is the most unattended one.

Take care of the following points so that you do not forget to add the right title:

• Add the job title to your resume in a 1 or 2 points smaller font than the name . Example: DevOps Engineer .
• If you have certification or a key license, list it in the professional resume header. Example: Certified MongoDB Architect .

To find the right resume header templates, head on to our online resume builder .

Resume Header: Address

Next thing is to add your address; however, this is the aspect that can be left unlisted for privacy concerns.

Hiring managers usually look for people near their company. This prevents them from funding their travel.

Instead of your full address, you can simply list the city/region .

Example: Westville, IL

Resume Header: Phone Number

A phone number is by far the most common way for hiring managers to contact you!

• List your personal contact number and which is widely accessible .
• Do not include your present work phone.
• Make sure that your phone has a decent voice mail message .
• Write your ISD code before the phone number.
• Give space in between the phone number for aesthetic purposes. Ex.: +01 222 343 2423

Resume Header: Email Address

Email is a fairly common way that managers use to reach out to fellow applicants.

• After your phone number, write a professional-looking email address.
• A good-looking email would contain first name, last name, and a widely used email provider like Gmail or Microsoft.
• One email address is enough.
• Do not use your current work email .
• Avoid any email id that includes slang or jargon. Ex: [email protected] .

Also read : What All Contact Information Need to Go in a Resume Header?

How to make a Resume Header stand out

We have got some creative resume header ideas for you. Usually, people do not consider these hacks and fall short of scoring in the interviews.

Spend less time wondering and more time conditioning your resume header with the following tips:

Resume Header: Web Addresses

A web address is usually not needed in your resume heading.

However, if you have a job-related online portfolio or website, you can include it. It is a good way to let the recruiter focus on your potential.

Adding a portfolio will work exceptionally for good online projects. Software engineers, architects, interior designers, graphic designers, and artists should include portfolios.

Resume Header: LinkedIn profile

A lot of recruiters now use LinkedIn to hire potential job seekers.

Adding a decently updated LinkedIn profile in your resume header will help the recruiter to know more about you. He can browse through your endorsements and key skills , projects and volunteer experiences .

Your connections and past jobs will give him a fair idea of your reach and professional potential.

Your LinkedIn profile should be up-to-date and personalized. Optimize your profile with the right profile summary, background picture, profile image, and ATS keywords.

Resume Header: GitHub profile

If you're a person in the field of information technology, or a student who has completed many coding projects, it is ideal that you include your Github profile for your resume to stand out from the rest.

Want your resume to stand out?

Also read : What Are the Do's and Don'ts to Keep in Mind While Drafting a Resume?

If you directly want to choose a resume header template, you can move to the last section of this guide.

Resume Header: Twitter

If you have a professional and optimized Twitter profile and use it to showcase your work, you can add it to the Resume header.

Especially for profiles such as marketing, community-based jobs, journalism positions, your active profile can be an add-on to your candidature.

If you use Twitter to showcase personal opinions, you can skip adding them to the resume header.

Resume Header: Behance

Rules are the same for Behance as well. If your work involves designing, for instance, graphic and UI-UX, you can add your Behance portfolio in the resume header.

But if you are applying for a tech role such as data analyst, or software engineer, your Behance portfolio is of no use.

Resume Header: Quora

Are you applying for a job in a marketing and writing profile? Do you have many followers in a specific field in Quora?

If yes, go ahead and add the Quora profile link to your resume header.

This will show the recruiter that you have solid knowledge and social backing on a specific subject.

Resume Header: Instagram

Add your Instagram portfolio if you are an artist or model or you have successfully built an eCommerce business via Instagram.

For everything else, you can skip adding your Instagram profile link in the resume header unless, of course, it is asked in the job description.

Resume Header: Other Links

Do you have a successful youtube channel? Or a blog or anything relevant to the job you are applying for?

If yes, then you can add it to the resume header.

What Not to Include in Your Resume Header

There are certain things you must not miss to include in your resume, Also, there is certain information you should avoid from your resume. Here is a list:

Irrelevant Social Media Links

Do not include a social media profile link, if it's not helping you get the job directly.

Especially most candidates uses Facebook or Instagram to share personal stories. So it's better to leave these profiles out of the recruiter's site.

Irrelevant Personal Details

Quite like anything personal, your physical characteristics like:

or beliefs or creed like:

• political wing

opens the door to the possibility of accusations of discrimination against the company.

Recruiters prefer that you do not include any physical descriptions or any political or personal details so as to reduce any possibilities of prejudice during the time of hiring.

It is ideal that you are only hired on the basis of your professional expertise.

Your Full Address

In the resume header, do not write your complete address. Just add the location in "City/Country Code" format. If you add the full address, you may be subject to discrimination.

Recruiters will prefer a candidate who is closer to the job location. And if your address shows that you live far away, then they might ditch you for a candidate who stays near.

2 Page Resume Header

Although a 1-page resume header is fine in most cases, sometimes you might want to create a resume header on every page of your resume.

You can easily do this in Word. Read the section below.

Also Read : How to Write a 2-page Resume in 2022?

How to Create a Word Resume Header

If you want to create a resume header in word, we have got some hacks for you.

• When creating a word resume header, do not use Word's document heading . It is not applicant tracking software friendly.
• You should left-align your margin or put it in the center.
• Try to use large 20-24 point font for your name heading.
• Put the rest of your contact information in 10-14 point font below.
• The most readable resume heading font that looks professional, like Calibri or Open Sans, Ariel,

Proofread the Word Resume Header

You should reread your contact details and make sure they are correct. This is to avoid accidental mishaps.

Make sure you have added the right portfolio or certification.

Do not overly design your resume header to make it stand out. Odd designs, colors, and fonts will distract the recruiter from important contact information. Exhibit your skills in your LinkedIn profile or online portfolio instead.

Resume Header Checklist

The key to getting your contact information noticed by the recruiter is a nicely aligned resume header!

Follow the below steps to stand out:

• Give the biggest font size to your name. Make it a resume heading.
• Add your job title as a subheading and mention any required certification or license.
• Add your best accessible phone number and a professional email address.
• Mention your region and state. You may omit the full street address.
• Add the relevant social media handles if the job requires social media skills.

Earn brownie points by inserting a link to a LinkedIn profile and/or a portfolio site.

Also read : How to Get a Personalized Linkedin URL?

FAQ: Resume Header

Should i put a header on the second page of my resume.

Ans: No, you don't need to include the header again on the second page of the resume. Although, we advise you to keep your resume within one page if possible. Hiring managers don't have time to skim through a lengthy resume.

Is it mandatory to put a resume header on a resume?

Ans: Yes, the resume header is a basic yet essential part of your resume. It includes and highlights all the basic information about you.

How do you highlight headers on your resume?

Ans: If you use Hiration Online Resume Builder, you don't need to separately highlight the resume header. Our resume headings format is already highlighted. You just need to put your details and download your resume.

Resume Header Sample With Complete Resume

Here is a complete resume sample with a clear resume header:

• Tools : Python, PostgreSQL, AWS, Hive, MongoDB, MapReduce, Spark, Linux
• Packages: Scikit-Learn, NumPy, SciPy, Pandas, NLTK, BeautifulSoup, Matplotlib, Statsmodels, Jupyter Notebook
• Statistics/Machine Learning: Statistical Analysis, Linear/Logistic Regression, Clustering, Graph Theory, Regularisations
• Compiled pricing data for competitive analysis by performing web scraping in Python
• Supervised model development, testing & validation of 100+ financial products and services
• Created charts in Jupyter Notebook to perform preliminary analysis & visualize data using Matplotlib
• Predicted stock price with 98% accuracy to enable the company to make informed investments
• Determined optimal pricing strategies to facilitate the management of funds & achieve revenue goals
• Made multiple touch sensitive ML systems in all the office floors to improve the company's safety networks
• Devised high-performance ML systems to detect abnormality , intrusion, fraud, masquerading , malware, etc.
• Developed an algorithm to understand customer behavior leading to 95% success in targeted marketing campaigns
• Conceptualized & implemented a sentiment analysis tool to rate the financial competence of companies
• Originated a recommendation engine to suggest an ideal cluster price for financial services offered by top companies
• Led a group of 10+ML Interns in producing a workable model to optimize the company's financial transactions
• Recruited & trained 5+ ML interns and supervised the project that were assigned to them as part of the internship
• Conducted 5+ ML workshop programs on the fundamentals of python & machine learning to up-skill current employees
• Engineered a food recommendation system to provide meaningful food recommendations to guests
• Designed an in-house algorithm for attendance & time management to simplify the hotel's administration work
• Applied various machine learning techniques using Python to build dynamic pricing models and maximize profits
• Built a predictive model to analyze customer food preferences leading to 40% reduction in food wastage
• Employed advanced text mining algorithms to facilitate the identification of search intent latent in individual keywords
• Top 5 percentile of the class
• Machine Learning Certification | Coursera | May '10 - Jul '10
• Python Certification Training | Coursera | Jan '09 - Mar '09
• Languages : English, Spanish

Also read : What Are the Steps to Writing an Impecabble Resume in 2022?

If you want to create a professional ATS-friendly resume for yourself, go to Hiration Online Resume Builder and create a resume for yourself.

Go to Hiration career platform which has 24/7 chat support and get professional assistance with all your job & career-related queries. You can also write to us at [email protected] and we will make sure to reach out to you as soon as possible.

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Resume Header Examples

A resume header is the most basic element of your resume. It’s short and easy to write — but you should never leave it out. A resume header is what the hiring manager will see first — and there are ways to make it more effective. This is what we will explore today.

Table of Contents

Resume header examples 2022: formats, contents and useful extras

First, let’s take a look at some of the most popular ways to format and structure your resume header.

Basic resume header

A basic resume header is a standard header that uses a horizontal layout. These types of headers are simple, easy to read and exactly what the hiring manager expects to see when looking at your resume.

A horizontal header typically includes just a few lines — but there is also plenty of space for adding extra information (LinkedIn profile, portfolio link, etc.).

Two-page resume header

If your resume is two pages long, it’s best to have a resume header on each page. This can help avoid confusion and clearly indicate to the hiring manager that this is the second page of your resume. You can use the same header on both pages — and if you do, make sure that the headers use the same format. You can add the words “page two” to the header.

Now, in most cases, it is recommended to keep your resume to one page. Hiring professionals are very busy people and it’s always best to make their job easier by only including relevant experience and skills into your resume.

However, if you are an experienced professional applying for a senior position or if the nature of your industry requires a lot of detail, you may go with a two-page resume. In most cases, a two-page resume format is suitable for professions like financial or business analyst, business executive or senior manager, computer science/IT specialist and more.

Vertical resume header

If you are looking for a more modern way to style your header, you can try the vertical resume header format.

In this case, instead of the traditional horizontal header, you will place all of the same information in a vertical bar that runs alongside the main text of your resume — to the left or to the right.

This header format is a good option if you want to include more information into your header. You can also add a brief professional introduction to this section. It’s also a good way to make your resume stand out among other applicant resumes who will probably be using standard headers.

However, do keep in mind that vertical resume headers are typically considered less formal. Because of this, they are generally more suitable for more creative and less formal professions. If you are applying for a job in law or finance, a traditional header may be more appropriate.

What your resume header should include

In most cases, your resume header should include the following basic information:

While this is the most basic text in your whole resume, it is also essential and very important. Your name is the only way to tell your resume apart from the many other resumes the hiring manager will need to go through. For your name, use the biggest font in your resume — you can also highlight it in bold. If you have several last names (for instance, married name and maiden name), use the one that you have been using the longest in your professional career and that is the most searchable online. Make sure the name you use in your resume is consistent throughout other related documents (like your portfolio) and professional social media (like LinkedIn).

This is another small but very important resume header element that shouldn’t be overlooked. Make sure to add your title next to your name in a smaller font. This can be something simple like “writer” or “software developer”. However, if you have relevant professional credentials to include, make sure to mention them as well — for instance, “certified public accountant (CPA)”.

Adding your address to the resume header is optional. To the hiring manager, it can indicate how close to the company office you are located and how long your daily commute might take. If you think that this information may work against you, you can choose to just add the country/city to your resume header without any further details.

You can add your address on your resume next, though it’s okay (and often preferable) to leave it off. A hiring manager may count a long commute as a point against you. You can just list the same city as the job, without a street address.

This part of your resume header is also a good place to indicate whether you are open to relocation. If you are, simply, add the words “open to relocation” next to your address.

Phone number

Include the phone number where you can always be reached. If you are located in a different country, including the country code. Note that the hiring manager can call you on this number at any time to confirm resume details or to schedule an interview. Make sure to use your personal number instead of your current work number.

Email is another common way for hiring managers to reach out to applicants.

Make sure to include a professional email address. If you don’t yet have one, create a new email account specifically for this purpose. You can use the simple [email protected].

Avoid using informal or personal email addresses like “[email protected]”. Once again, use your own personal email address instead of the company email address that you may be currently using.

Additional information that will make you stand out

The basic information to include in your resume header are your name, title, address, email and phone number. However, you can also add a few effective extras to make your resume stand out:

• A link to your professional website. If you have a professional website dedicated to what you do or an online resume, make sure to add an active link to it to your header.
• A link to your online portfolio. If you have a collection of your work available online, adding a link to it in your resume header is definitely useful.
• A link to professional social media. If you are actively using a social media network for professional activity, add a link to your profile to the resume header. This can be a link to your profile on LinkedIn, GitHub or even Facebook. If you do decide to add this link, make sure your profile on the social media network is complete and will be a favorable representation of you as a professional.
• Adding a picture to your resume header is also an option if you are applying for a job in a European country. In the United States, on the other hand, adding a picture is neither necessary nor recommended due to anti-discrimination laws.

How to make your resume header ATS friendly?

ATS or Applicant Tracking Systems are programs that hiring managers use to sort through the many applications they receive. The software uses specific keywords and other filters selected by the hiring manager to quickly scan a resume and see if it fits the basic requirements. If it doesn’t, the resume may not even make it to the hiring manager’s desk.

Learn more about Applicant Tracking Systems: What is applicant tracking system ? How does it work?

To make your resume header ATS-friendly, make sure to use the same keyword and titles as used in the job description. For instance, if the job ad mentions looking for a “software developer”, use “software developer” as your title in the resume header. Also, because Applicant Tracking Systems are generally set up to recognize the most popular and basic formats and fonts, use a standard horizontal header and a typical font like Arial or Times New Roman. If you are looking for more ideas, check out The Best Fonts for Your Resume in 2022 .

Summing things up

The header is the simplest and shortest part of your resume. But this doesn’t mean that it should be overlooked or taken lightly. A resume header can be an effective tool to make a great first impression on your potential employer and make the hiring manager much more interested in the rest of your resume. To make a lasting impression, here’s how to write a resume .

Resume Header in 2024: Complete Guide with Examples

Sashika Dilshan

Finding a perfect job will change your entire life and also your resume plays a major role in getting you there. The Resume header makes the first impression in the recruiter’s mind about you. Therefore Resume header should be very professional and should follow a recommended standard. Here we are ready to solve the following major problems that may come to your mind when you are making a perfect resume header.

Resume Header Definition

Importance of the resume header.

• The easiest way of creating your resume headline
• What to include on the resume header?
• Resume header Tips

Avoid this information on your resume headline

Best resume header ideas, match your resume headline with the cover letter header.

• Let’s create the resume header in Word
• Resume header checklist

Resume header is a very important section, usually, it is the top section of your resume which acts as a business card. Because it contains your name, job title, contact details, and other social media links.

Writing your resume header is a crucial task than you think. So making a resume by following the standards of the resume, you will get lucky enough to land your dream job – fast. The purpose of a standard resume header is to highlight your resume among other resumes. If the resume header looks perfect, the recruiters feel to continue the reading of your resume. Therefore, you have to make your resume header perfect. But you do not need to worry about it. Get help from our ‘Resume Builder’ and make a perfect resume header that wins the recruiter’s consideration at first sight.

The easiest way of creating a resume headline

There are different ways of creating a resume header such as by using a,

• Resume builder (The easiest way)
• Word document
• Graphic design software etc.

Using a resume builder

Though there are so many ways to create your resume, using a resume builder is the easiest, quickest, more Applicant Tracking System (ATS) friendly and a recommended way that helps you to create not only a resume header but also your whole resume professionally according to the standards and the requirements of your job position. So we recommend you to create your resume using an online resume builder.

Using a Word document

Though this is a very famous and ATS-friendly way of creating resume headers and all sections of resumes, now it is out of trend and it is a very time-consuming way. Therefore, we never recommend this way as a simple way of creating a resume header.

Using a Graphic Design Software

Some applicants tend to create their resume headers and other sections of the resume using Graphic Design Software such as Photoshop, CorelDRAW, Illustrator, etc. But using such software may add more graphics to your resume and ruin the Applicant Tracking System (ATS) friendliness of your whole resume. Not only that, this kind of software always requires paid licenses and you have to have good knowledge of using that software. Therefore Experts always advise NOT to create your resume header or any other section using such software and try to use a more ATS-friendly way.

What to include on resume headers?

You may know that the job market has huge traffic and competition between job seekers. If the recruiter seems at first sight that your resume header does not follow the standard format or it has included unnecessary information, they will reject your resume without any hesitation. So follow these tips to make your resume stand out with the most necessary information.

The major and essential parts that should include on your resume header are,

Job (professional) title

• Location / Address

Phone number

Email address.

The optional information you may add on your resume header,

• LinkedIn URL
• Twitter URL
• Personal Website URL
• Facebook URL

Resume Header Tips

The largest text on your resume should be your full name. Use a bold font or a larger font size to make it the most visible text on the resume. You should never use a nickname or a fancy name in it. It is preferable to use a formal name, such as your first and last names, as the title.

Mention your job title below your full name in a smaller font than your full name. Job title means your current job position or your desired job position. Using a professional job title is a must, and never use a fancy job title. If you have any specific certifications that are related to the job field, mention them also here.

You do not need to mention your full address. Just mention the city and the state to inform your location to the recruiters. Because the recruiters want to know whether you are close to the workplace or not.

Include an active or frequently used phone number but never use an official or a work telephone number. It is important to mention your country code if you apply for a foreign job vacancy. Use a polite and professional voicemail message.

In the resume header, it is important to provide a professional email address that is very personal to you. Professional email addresses usually include a first and last name or a name and a unique number, but never include the current job email address. Remember to double-check that your email address is clickable. And also make sure that you are submitting your job application via that email.

LinkedIn URL (optional)

If you mention your LinkedIn profile consider whether it is professionally maintained. Do not forget to maintain similar names in your resume and LinkedIn profile. Make sure your LinkedIn profile URL is clickable.

Twitter (optional)

Make sure you have maintained your twitter account professionally. At the same time check out whether both resume name and Twitter account names are the same. Never forget to examine whether your Twitter account link is clickable.

Portfolio Website (optional)

Add any of your portfolio websites if and only if they contain any documents to prove your skills or any project files. Not only that make sure your portfolio Website links are clickable.

Facebook (optional)

Before including your Facebook profile in the resume header, make sure it’s professional and that you haven’t posted any posts that might harm your professional life. It’s important to compare and see if your Facebook name and your resume name are identical. Make sure that the URL to your Facebook profile is clickable.

Many applicants follow many formats to create their resume headers. Here is the standard and formal resume header template.

Some applicants include unnecessary information in their resume header. That may have a bad impact on your professional life. Here is some information that you tend to include in your resume heading but experts have informed you to avoid them from your resume headline.

Adding a photo on your resume depends on the country that you apply for the job. Because some countries allow their applicants to add photographs on the resume while other countries prohibit the photograph on the resume . Therefore you have to find out which category your target country represents and according to the result decide whether you display a photograph on your resume or not. For instance, countries such as China, France, Japan, and Africa accept the photograph on a resume while other countries such as Canada, Australia, India, United States, and Sweden do not recommend adding the photos on resume.

The word ‘Resume’

Never write the resume header title as ‘resume’. Because any reader who reads your resume knows that it is a resume. Therefore you have to avoid that bad practice when you create a resume.

Beliefs or Creed details

Adding any information that represents your belief or the creed such as religion, race, nation, caste or political wing in your resume will negatively impact on your image. Though some applicants tend to add them in their resume headers, experts always recommend to avoid adding them in your resume. Because the personal opinion of the recruiter may impact your career badly.

Personal details

It is important to note that never misunderstand the resume as a bio-data. Because some applicants add their date of birth, civil status, the number of children, parents’ names, or physical characteristics like height, weight, gender in their resume header based on the lack of awareness. Generally, this information is considered as unnecessary information in a resume. Unless the job position requires you to mention them in your resume, never put these kinds of information in your resume.

Salary expectation

If you add your salary expectation in the resume even if the job advertisement has not been asked you to do so, the recruiters will imagine you as a person who gives priority to money rather than the job responsibility. Therefore, that will badly impact your image and they will never think to hire you. So, check the job advertisement twice before mentioning the salary expectation in your resume.

There are major three different layouts that can be used to design your resume header. You can choose any of them as you wish.

Horizontal Resume header

This is the most used and standard resume heading type. A horizontal header always adds a professional look to your resume. This kind of header is suitable for any level of formality. Usually, experts recommend this type of resume header to use when you craft a resume. A horizontal resume can be two types based on the placement of social media links.

Vertical Resume header

This layout arranges the header in vertical order and provides a creative and modern look into your resume. But this layout consumes more space on the resume. But if you are an applicant that has less information to mention this type is much suitable for you when creating your resume.

Two-page resume header (2 page resume)

Before answering this question we would like to tell you that try to limit your resume for a single page unless you are at least a mid-level professional. I agree that if you are an experienced professional with over 10+ years of experience, you might have more things to describe. Then definitely you will go to the 2nd page of your resume. In that case, do we need to add resume headers on both pages?

You don’t need an official header on the second page. You do however need your name and phone number on the second page.

If the recruiter or the hiring manager is reading your second page and if they suddenly need to contact you they will look at the top of your resume. So that it is better to mention your name and the contact number at the top of the second page.

Though the cover letter and the resume are different documents, they are submitted together for a single job application. Because of that, we should match both the resume header and cover letter header. That will create a good image on the recruiters’ minds about the candidate.

But if the job advertisement strictly advises not to send a cover letter then you do not need to send a cover letter.

However, if you send a cover letter, check whether both headers of the cover letter and resume are the same. Because then the recruiters will think a particular candidate is a well-organized person.

Still not sure how to make a cover letter header? See our complete guide of cover letter writing .

Let’s create a resume header in Word (simple steps)

Using Word to create the resume heading is a very famous and Application Tracking System (ATS) friendly method. It is special to note that there are some default resume headers in MS Word. But we do not recommend those resume headline templates, because they contain a lot of graphics. Therefore follow these steps to design your own resume header in Word with simple steps within just 5 minutes.

01 – Create a 2×3 table.

02 – Select the first row and Right Click. Then select “Merge Cells”.

03 – Write your name and the job title in the first row. Insert your contact number, email address and LinkedIn URL in the second row.

04 – Select all cells and align all to “Center”.

05 – Select all the cells and click on the “Borders” and then “No Border”.

06 – Select the upper row and click on the “Borders” and then “Bottom Border”.

07 – Finally you can make some changes to increase the visibility of resume header details. You can increase the font size and bold the name. If you need you can change the text into a good resume font .

That’s how you create a simple resume heading section in Word.

Resume header Checklist

Some applicants are in a hurry to send their resumes. But never send the resume without proofreading. Because if your resume contains mistakes, it symbolizes that you are a careless applicant. Therefore follow these steps to proofread your resume header.

• Check the spelling mistakes of the resume.
• Make sure the social links, phone number, and email address are clickable.
• Use the recommended fonts types and sizes (For instance Calibri, Open Sans, Helvetica, etc. )
• The header Should be the most visible part of the resume.
• Make sure the resume heading format matches the job you are applying for.
• Do not use so many graphics in your resume. But it is okay to add icons to the contact details such as phone number, LinkedIn URL, email address, etc.
• Check whether all necessary information is included such as Full name, Job title, Location, Phone number, Email address.
• Do not forget to mention the specific certificates and achievements in job title.

Now you are an expert in making a resume header. So what’s next? It is better to learn other resume sections as well. Check out these guides for more information.

Want to build a resume of your own?

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Resume Header Examples [15+ Professional Heading Samples]

Do you want your resume to stand out?

Your answer must be yes if you are a job seeker. Hence, you must pay keen attention while writing every part of your resume.

The' Resume Header' is one of the most underrated yet essential parts of a resume that professionals must pay much attention to.

Considering this, we are here with some guidelines to help you craft your resume header professionally by answering the following questions:

• How to write a resume header?
• What are the things to remember while writing a resume header?
• What are the things to avoid while writing a resume header?

If you want to craft a job-winning resume without getting indulged in these guidelines, use any Online Resume Builder . You will find plenty of resume builders online that you can pick based on your suitability.

And, in case you want to learn resume building in detail, read on to get the details of:

• Steps to craft a professional resume header
• Resume header samples for different profiles
• Things to avoid while writing the resume header
• Things to remember while writing a resume header

Let’s read on to get some resume-building insights:

How to Craft a Resume Header

​​Crafting an effective resume header is essential because it's the first thing employers see when reviewing your resume. A well-structured header should provide your contact information clearly and professionally. 

Here's how to craft a resume header:

Your full name should be the most prominent element of your header, typically in a larger font size than the rest of the text. Use your legal name, and ensure it matches any other official documents you provide during the hiring process.

Contact Information

Below your name, provide your contact details. These typically include:

• Phone number: Use a professional mobile number that you can easily be reached at. Avoid using numbers with humorous or unconventional voicemail messages.
• Email address: Use a professional and easily recognizable email address. Avoid using nicknames or overly complex addresses.
• LinkedIn profile (optional): If you have a well-maintained LinkedIn profile, include the URL. Make sure your LinkedIn profile is complete and professional.
• Optional: You can also include your city and state, but it's not always necessary. Include it if you believe your location is relevant to the job (e.g., if the job requires local candidates).

Formatting Tips

You can follow these guidelines to craft a top-notch resume header:

• Keep the header clean and easy to read. Use a simple, professional font (e.g., Arial, Calibri, Times New Roman).
• Maintain consistency in formatting. Use the same font and font size for your name and contact information.
• Bold your name to make it stand out.
• Consider using a slightly larger font size for your name than the rest of the header.
• Ensure sufficient spacing between your name, contact information, and any optional elements like the LinkedIn profile.

Professionalism

Your header should convey professionalism. Avoid including personal information like marital status, birth date, or a photograph. Moreover, you must use a professional email address that includes your name.

Clarity and Readability

• Make sure your contact information is accurate and up-to-date.
• Double-check for any typos or errors in your contact details, especially your email address and phone number.

Be cautious about sharing too much personal information. Your resume header should include only what is necessary for employers to contact you. In short, protect your privacy by not including your full home address.

Customization

Consider tailoring your header to the specific job or industry you are applying to. For example, if you're applying for a creative role, use a more artistic font for your name.

Here's an example of a well-crafted resume header:

Phone: (123) 456-7890

Email: [email protected]

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/johndoe

Remember that the header is just the beginning of your resume. It should set a professional tone and provide easy-to-find contact information so that potential employers can reach out to you easily.

15+ Professional Resume Heading Samples

To help you craft a professional resume header, we are listing 15 resume header examples for different purposes below:

Standard Heading

123 Main Street

New York, NY 10001

(123) 456-7890

[email protected]

Heading with LinkedIn Profile

456 Elm Avenue

Los Angeles, CA 90002

(987) 654-3210

[email protected]

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/janesmith

Heading with LinkedIn and GitHub Profiles

Michael Johnson

789 Oak Drive

Chicago, IL 60603

(555) 123-4567

[email protected]

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/michaeljohnson

GitHub: github.com/michael-dev

Minimalist Heading

(789) 321-6540

[email protected]

Heading with Professional Summary

(555) 789-1234

[email protected]

Professional Summary: Experienced Project Manager with a track record of successful project delivery in tech industries.

Heading with Objective Statement

[email protected]

Objective Statement: Seeking a challenging software engineering role in a dynamic company to utilize my skills in AI and machine learning.

Executive Heading (for Senior Professionals)

David Wilson

123 Executive Lane

San Francisco, CA 94101

(777) 888-9999

[email protected]

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/davidwilson

College Student Heading

Emma Garcia

Current Address: 567 College Avenue, Apt. 3B

Permanent Address: 123 Hometown Street

(333) 444-5555

[email protected]

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/emmagarcia

Creative Professional Heading

Lucas Turner

(111) 222-3333

[email protected]

Portfolio: lucasturnerportfolio.com

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/lucascreative

Tech-Savvy Heading

Emily White

789 Tech Road

Austin, TX 78701

(555) 987-6543

[email protected]

GitHub: github.com/emilycoder

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/emilytech

Consultant's Heading

Richard Brown

456 Consultancy Lane

Denver, CO 80201

(222) 333-4444

[email protected]

Consultancy Website: brownconsulting.com

Entrepreneurial Heading

Lisa Miller

Business: Miller Enterprises

Business Address: 789 Entrepreneur Way

(777) 666-5555

[email protected]

Business Website: millerenterprises.com

Resume Heading for Remote Work

Thomas Clark

Remote Location: Digital Nomad

(999) 888-7777

[email protected]

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/thomasremote

Healthcare Professional Reusme Heading

Dr. Sarah Patel, MD

Medical License: NY1234567

(333) 222-1111

[email protected]

Teacher or Educator Resume Heading:

Rachel Adams

School: XYZ High School

School Address: 123 Education Street

(555) 666-7777

[email protected]

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/rachelteacher

Things to Remember While Writing a Resume Header

Writing a resume header seems easy but it is a bit tricky. Here are some things that you must remember while writing your resume header:

• Professionalism: Maintain a professional tone throughout your header. Use a standard font, avoid excessive formatting, and prioritize clarity and readability.
• Font Size and Formatting: Make your name stand out by using a slightly larger font size or bold formatting. Use a consistent font and formatting style for all header elements.
• Privacy: Be cautious about sharing too much personal information. Your resume header should provide only the necessary contact information.
• Relevance: Ensure that all elements in your header are relevant to the job you're applying for. If certain details, like your physical address, are not needed, consider omitting them.
• Customization: Tailor your header to match the job and industry. For example, if you're applying for a creative role, you might use a more artistic font for your name.
• Consistency: Use the same contact information format (e.g., phone number format) consistently throughout your resume and other application materials.
• Update Regularly: Keep your contact information up-to-date. If you change phone numbers or email addresses, update your resume accordingly.
• Proofreading: Double-check for typos or errors in your contact information. Mistakes in your header can make it difficult for employers to reach you.

Things to Avoid While Writing a Resume Header

When writing a resume header, creating a professional and polished impression is essential. For this, there are several things to avoid:

• Nicknames or Informal Names: Use your full legal name rather than nicknames or informal names. This is a formal document; hence, using your full name is more professional.
• Unprofessional Email Addresses: Avoid using unprofessional or overly casual email addresses. Create a new, professional email address if necessary. Your email address should include your name and avoid unnecessary symbols or words.
• Excessive Personal Information: Your resume header should include only the necessary contact information. Avoid adding personal information like your marital status, birthdate, or social security number. These details are typically not required and may raise privacy concerns.
• Irrelevant Information: Include only relevant contact information. For example, a full mailing address is only necessary if the job posting specifically requests it. Focus on providing contact details that employers need to reach you.
• Inconsistent Formatting: Maintain a consistent format for your header. Use the same font style, size, and formatting throughout the entire header. Inconsistent formatting can make your resume look unprofessional.
• Overly Creative Fonts or Designs: While you can customize your header to some extent, avoid using excessively creative fonts or designs that might distract from the content or make it difficult to read. Clarity and professionalism should be the priorities.
• Outdated or Incorrect Information: Ensure all contact information is current and accurate. If your phone number, email address, or other details change, update your resume promptly.
• Including Unrelated Links: Only include relevant links in your header. For example, a link to your LinkedIn profile or a professional portfolio is appropriate for many roles. However, including links to personal social media profiles or unrelated websites is not recommended.
• Inappropriate or Unprofessional Links: If you include links to your online profiles, ensure they are professional and aligned with your job application. Remove or update any links to profiles containing inappropriate content or not enhancing your professional image.
• Overloading with Information: Keep your header concise and focused. Including too much information or multiple phone numbers and email addresses can be confusing. Stick to the essentials.
• Including Social Security Numbers: Never include your social security number or any sensitive personal identification information in your resume header. This is unnecessary and poses a security risk.
• Overly Long Addresses: If you choose to include your physical address, keep it brief. A full mailing address with excessive details can clutter your header.
• Fancy Symbols or Emojis: Avoid using fancy symbols or emojis in your contact information. Stick to standard punctuation and characters for a professional appearance.
• Using Temporary or Work Email Addresses: Use a personal, permanent email address rather than an email address associated with a current or temporary job. You may lose access to such email addresses when you leave a position.

Remember that the resume header is your first point of contact with potential employers. By avoiding these common mistakes, you can create a professional and effective header that helps you make a positive impression.

HyreSnap Online Resume Builder

You can follow the guidelines above to craft a perfect resume header for your next job search. However, you can also use HyreSnap Online Resume Builder to prepare a professional resume in 2023.

It will speed up the resume-building process and will leave no chance of errors. Below, you can check the highlighting offerings of this modern resume builder:

Key Takeaways

We have listed all the important steps to help you write a suitable resume header for your next resume update. Additionally, we are also writing the key takeaways of this guide to help you revise everything:

• Write your full name, contact details, and professional email address
• Mention your current designation and professional social profiles like LinkedIn
• Avoid listing casual social profiles like Facebook and Instagram
• Use easy-to-read and professional fonts for your resume header

Apart from this, if you come across any hurdle, don't hesitate to contact our resume experts at [email protected] . We will help you build a professional resume that stands out in this competitive market.

Let your resume do the work.

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• • Developed and executed strategic communication plans for 10+ major tech clients, resulting in a 30% increase in brand visibility.
• • Managed a team of 15+ account executives, fostering a collaborative environment that boosted team productivity by 40%.
• • Secured media coverage in top-tier technology and business outlets, increasing client exposure by 50%.
• • Managed 8+ key tech accounts, leading to a 25% increase in client retention.
• • Coordinated with cross-functional teams to execute strategic plans, resulting in a 35% increase in project success rate.
• • Secured speaking opportunities for clients at major industry events, boosting brand recognition by 30%.
• • Handled 5+ major tech accounts, leading to a 20% increase in client satisfaction.
• • Worked closely with teams to execute strategic plans, boosting project success rate by 30%.
• • Secured media coverage for clients in top-tier outlets, increasing brand visibility by 40%.

17 Executive Resume Examples & Guide for 2024

Your executive resume must showcase your leadership experience. Highlight the results you’ve driven at previous organizations. Demonstrate your strategic planning abilities. Clarify how your decisions have led to long-term success.

All resume examples in this guide

Alliance Manager

Chief Executive Officer

Chief Financial Officer

Chief of Staff

Department Head

Department Manager

Executive Director

Executive Manager

Fractional CEO

Functional Manager

Vice President

Board of Directors

Resume guide.

How to Write an Executive Resume

Resume Header Tips

Resume Summary

Resume Experiece Section

C-Level Skill Section

Resume Education Section

Resume Certificates

How to Write a Senior Level Resume

Do You Need a Resume Writer?

Additional Sections

Key takeaways

So you want an Executive resume that sets you apart.

But things changed in a big way. All the talk now is about these robo-scanning systems that won't even register resumes that don't fit their obscure guidelines.

And once you submit your executive resume, it will be reviewed by an army of recruiters who are relentlessly looking for the right combination of skill, achievement, and experience.

The next person it gets forwarded to is a member of a search committee who won’t bother reviewing it twice.

Somehow your Executive resume has to work on all three levels.

Bad news is that it's tough. Good news is that it’s possible.

This guide will show you:

• Executive resume example that gets high-profile interviews 9 out of 10 times.
• What specific things recruiters want to see in your Executive resume and how to use that to your advantage
• How to convey your excellent leadership and visionary skills on a piece of paper (i.e. how to make your resume speak)
• How to make sure your Executive resume stands out while passing automated resume scanning systems in 2024

Looking for a specific C-Level resume?

• Marissa Mayer Resume
• VP of Sales Resume
• VP of Business Development Resume
• VP of Marketing Resume

How to write an executive resume to land more interviews

Writing an executive resume doesn’t follow your typical resume writing process.

Your Executive resume should not be about simply listing previous jobs and skills — companies are looking beyond that in their future executives.

You are their next leader, and your Executive resume should achieve at least three key objectives:

Demonstrate tangible impact.

Bragging with years of experience as a C-level manager won’t impress anyone. Your resume should demonstrate the real impact of your work, as recruiters won’t be looking for someone who simply adjusts to their environment. They’re looking for someone who can lead and change things for the better. Bad example: Managed a team of 30 engineers. Good example: Coordinated the work of more than 30 engineers in the development, testing, and production phases of a $10M project in the aero composite niche. More examples and tips in the Experience section. Hint: use resume action verbs to captivate recruiters and form the best first impression.

Convey a strong personal brand with unique differentiators.

Your resume is not just a marketing tool — it's a storytelling device. If you want to increase the chances of landing a job tenfold, align your personal story with the company's brand. Executives are too often a part of their company’s brand.

Are you tech-savvy genius with exceptional instincts for trends? A roll-up-the-sleeves guy on the frontline? Make sure your personal brand aligns well with the company brand.

Here’s how to establish a career-winning personal brand in your Executive resume:

• Identify key accomplishments and skill scenarios in the top-third of your resume
• Include industry-unique resume keywords to build relevance and authority
• Differentiate yourself from other candidates by showing off your unique differentiators.

More details on how to do that in later sections.

Provide consistent excellence throughout the entire recruitment process.

The process of hiring someone for an executive role involves multiple interviews and stages.At every stage your executive resume will be read by several people for the first time. That means your resume should not be a one-time wonder — it has to consistently WIN on every level: during automated ATS resume scans , manual checks by a hiring manager, and elaborate analysis by C-suite stakeholders.

Here’s how to turn your Executive resume into a golden ticket on every stage:

• Format, format, format. With a clever use of white space, layout, color , font , bold text, and headers, you can make your resume extremely attractive for both humans and robots.
• Use snippets of your resume to enhance your social profiles. Create consistency across various recruitment channels (LinkedIn, personal website, professional profile) to become memorable and project a consistent message.
• Don’t fall for a one-page resume myth . Entry-level candidates should have a one-page resume. Tech professionals can have a one-page resume. But executives with 15+ and 20+ years of excellence, industry awards, authority publications, and hard-won leadership skills? It's possible , but not applicable in every case. Even though we are strong advocates of the “more with less” approach, you won’t benefit from cutting out your best resume bits simply because you heard that one-page resume is good for someone.

The executive resume guide helps you write one that gets approved by both robotic ATS systems and human recruiters . We'll examine key areas of your resume to make sure it stands out and aligns with the company you're applying for.

Here are the sections that your Executive resume will include:

The 6 most important sections of your resume

• A properly formatted header
• A concise and impactful summary
• An experience section tailored to the specific job
• Custom sections based on your experience
• Education & certificates sections

What recruiters want to see in your resume

• Are you a good leader with all the necessary skills for the job?
• Is your position consistent and strong throughout your whole resume?
• Are you a good fit not only in the short-term perspective, but also for the years to come?
• Do you have a solid personal brand and how well does it align with the company’s?
• Can you make an impact, and is there any evidence that you're capable of leading for success?

Your executive resume starts with a header. Let’s make sure it’s properly formatted and doesn't turn recruiters away.

Resume header: make sure recruiters keep reading

We’ll start with the obvious: there are many executive roles in a company.

You have CEO (chief executive officer), COO (chief operating officers), CTO (chief technical officer), CIO, CISO, CSO, and the list goes on.

And yes, there’s a lot of overlapping responsibilities between these jobs. A CIO in one company sometimes can transition to COO/CTO in another.

Despite that, it’s extremely important to use the same title in Header that the job you’re applying for uses, because COO and CIO in the same company do absolutely different things.

You must avoid using more than one title, even if you were working under both titles at one point in your career. This sends mixed signals to recruiters.

It goes without saying that your Header should include your contact details, but many applicants only give their phone number and email address.

Today almost every recruiter checks your LinkedIn profile along with your resume. Include the link to your profile in a header to control the narrative. A well-crafted LinkedIn profile with many connections makes you appear more credible and trustworthy. Check your executive resume and LinkedIn profile to make sure the work history is cohesive. Also, enhance your LinkedIn profile with some bits from your resume to ensure consistency.

If you don't have a developed LinkedIn profile, don’t link to an empty one. It’s better to link to your personal portfolio website or active membership profile in an authoritative, industry-specific network.

Point is, the link should work for you, not against you. But we strongly recommend to start working on your LinkedIn profile ASAP.

Here’s an example of a header that doesn’t work well:

2 executive resume header examples

Here we’ll include link to a Linkedin social profile, as well as use only one title that the job description mentions:

Check out our guide on perfecting your resume header with industry-leading examples !

Now let's engage recruiters even further with an impactful Summary section.

Resume summary: Instantly stand out at every stage

The Summary section can have an incredibly powerful effect on your resume, but it works both ways.

If your Summary section is short, engaging, and relevant to the position, it will engage recruiters and create a lasting positive effect on how they perceive the rest of your resume. Think of the Halo effect.

If your Summary section is long, tedious, and full of fluff, recruiters might not even bother reading further. A major benefit of the Summary section is that you can easily adjust it to every position that you’re applying for once you get the basics of writing it.

Here are some tips to make your Executive Summary section stand out and create a good momentum with recruiters:

• Keep it short. Two or three sentences should be enough to grab someone’s attention. If you’re going beyond that, either rephrase or use other sections to provide more details, e.g. Achievements or Experience sections.
• Keep it relevant . This is going to be recurring advice, but learn as much as possible about the company you’re applying for before writing a resume. What are their values? Are they growing? Are they in crisis?Summary is the first section where your research pays off. If you think the company needs a crisis manager, mention how you were able to transform a struggling business.If the company is a promising startup or a rapidly expanding network, make sure to mention your experience of scaling businesses and navigating a fluid business environment. Mention industry-specific experience relevant to the job to get some bonus points.
• Keep it impactful. Don’t simply brag about your qualities. Provide results and achievements. Instead of writing how you spent 10 years in marketing or corporate leadership, share what the company was able to achieve with your guidance.

Here’s an example of a tedious, self-centered Summary section that makes employers and hiring managers roll their eyes:

2 executive resume summary examples

And here is an example of an engaging summary section to persuade readers to read further:

If you’re applying for another executive position, for example Chief Marketing Officer, follow the aforementioned advice but adjust it to the exact responsibilities of your future role.

Below is an example:

Want to learn more about crafting unique and engaging Summary sections? Check out our Perfect Summary guide with 30+ industry-specific examples .

We’ll now move forward to the bread-and-butter of your Executive resume, the Experience section.

Resume experience section: maximum efficiency word for word

The Experience section is the most elaborate and extensive section of your Executive resume, and recruiters will be returning to it several times throughout the whole recruitment process.

At first they’ll skim through it to understand whether you have a relevant experience, and leadership skills. This is where the most candidates will be filtered out.

During the next phase they will check whether your resume contains specific results and workflows that led you to achieving those results. They’ll be asking themselves: is this someone we need right now?

During the final round of checks, they’ll be comparing it with other candidates and see if you’re a good fit not only in the short perspective, but for years to come.

It doesn’t help that the Experience section is one of the hardest to write because executives have to squeeze in decades of experience in just one page, and make sure there’s still a place left for other impactful sections.

Let’s talk about what you need to include in your Experience section to get more calls, and what better should be left out of it.

Everything you mention in your Executive resume experience section falls into three main categories:

• Buzzwords (resume keywords)

Results are the most impactful component of your experience section. Your achievements should be quantified, otherwise it’s just a string of words. Use numbers for more impact.  Bad example: increased company’s presence on the education CRM market

Good example: over 3 years grew revenue in educational and mortgage segments by 300%

It’s important what kind of results you prioritise. Carefully study job requirements to understand what are the current company goals. Is it cost-efficiency? Workplace innovation? Or a new product launch? Prioritise results that are more relevant.

Workflows are what you did to achieve the results, or circumstances. Those are a perfect opportunity to hint at your core qualifications.

Workflows will reveal your subject matter experience, leadership and strategic qualities, and core competence in driving financial and operational results. You should describe workflows as challenges that you overcome. Use these questions to help to uncover some gems:

How did you contribute to the success of a company in a way that others didn't or wouldn't? What did you do that made the company better, more profitable, more efficient, and more competitive? How did your work benefit your coworkers and clients? What ideas of yours changed the course of events? Again, carefully study job requirements to understand which workflows will play a bigger role. No two companies are the same, so executives’ responsibilities will vary based on the company's size, industry, structure, and culture.

Buzzwords, or resume keywords, are largely defined by trends in every industry, and you can use them to quickly bring your resume up to date and target companies that are looking for very specific competencies.

Examples of buzzwords per industry: distance learning in education, crisis management in travel industry, managing distributed teams in real estate, machine learning and agile practices in IT, and so on.

Don’t overuse trendy words though, and especially don’t insert them blindly just to impress executive recruiters. Use only those skills that you have hands-on experience with.

Again, study job requirements to understand what kind of buzzwords may play into your hands.

For the best results, combine results, workflows, and buzzwords. Study job description and put more relevant workflows on top.

Here’s an example of vague experience section which is more focused on circumstances of work rather than results:

Executive resume experience examples

• • Established and built relationships with top leaders in the market
• • Directed and oversaw financial and budgetary activities
• • Direct the company in keeping with the vision outlined for the company by the Board of Directors

Here’s an experience section optimized for impact with relevant results and comprehensive workflows:

• • Established and built relationships with top leaders in the market, including those representing the highest levels in business, government and non-profit sectors, growing export revenue by 300%
• • Ensured coordination and alignment of all company activities to strategic direction in the areas of resource development and staff alignment, reducing department costs by 25% two years consecutively
• • Planned, organized, directed, and evaluated labor and administrative policies and operations that brought company from state leaders to country leaders.

Here’s an example of how the Experience section might look if you’re applying for a CTO position.

Notice that it contains more buzzwords and technical terms that were revealed after studying the company background and its key products:

• • Established, communicated, and developed a clear action plan for the new vision of Technology Department, reducing $4M annually on operating expenses
• • Facilitated in planning and release of 4 strategic company products that led to 23% increased ML-based CRM solutions market share
• • Increased client satisfaction on a company-wide level by 400% after implementing a set of advanced real-time reporting system for monitoring support staff performance

Beware of “death by bullets”, or using more than five bullet points in a row when describing your experience, otherwise your resume becomes unreadable. If you have too many bullet points, consider rewriting the section or adding short paragraphs of text in between.

C-Level skill section: What recruiters really like to see here

Every executive role involves a wide range of skills. Add to that 15 years of experience on average and every executive can easily fill up a blank page simply listing all the skills they possess.

Don’t fall into this trap. No one will be reading that much. And the impact behind every skill will be diminished by the sheer amount of them.

The best thing you every candidate for an executive role can do is to prioritise skills that are needed the most for a given job, and then group those skills into broader categories.

Bad example: high performance under stress, predictive planning, negotiation, monitoring, critical thinking, etc.

Replace with: Crisis Management: Preserved company’s market share and net profit during the outbreak while the average competitor lost 10-20% of their income.

After you narrow down the most important skill categories, make sure to put those into context, because this is the most convincing way to demonstrate that you really have them.

For most executive roles, apart from Chief Technology officer, soft skills are a priority, so list them first.

Here’s an example how to list soft skills on your Executive resume:

How to describe soft skills on your resume

Below are some skills that you can group in your Skill section:

Soft skills list for C-suite resumes

• Communication
• Strategic management
• Strategic partnerships
• Resource development
• Analytical approach
• Financial management
• Presentation skills
• Revenue Growth
• Coordination
• Active listening
• Time management
• Problem solving
• Strategic planning
• Innovative thinking
• Quality control
• Lean/Growth mindset
• Collaboration
• Risk management
• Process organization
• Policy development

What you need to know about hard skills

The amount of technical skills you need to mention in your resume will largely depend on the specific role.

Chief innovation officer, chief technical officer and chief information officer are expected to be more tech savvy than other executive positions, so listing some key technical skills would be of help.

Same goes for any executive role in IT-related companies vs other industries.

But mostly try to focus on your management skills and achievements associated with them.

Resume education section: do you need it?

Although experience is deemed far more important than education history for any executive position, you’ll rarely find a job that doesn’t require at least a bachelor's degree.

Education requirements vary from job to job. Some companies require a Master's degree in business or related field.

If you don’t have a relevant degree it might be substituted with an advanced business training, such as MBA. Make sure to put it before other information on education in your resume.

Resume certificates: which ones are the best

Certificates aren’t a decisive factor for an Executive resume, but they can strengthen your overall profile.

Note that chief technology officer and chief operations officer will have a different portfolio of certificates, although there are general leadership certificates that any executive resume can benefit from.

Below are some examples:

Top 5 executive certificates for your resume

• Harvard Kennedy School Executive Certificates
• Harvard Business School Certificate of Management Excellence
• MIT Executive Certificate
• Cornell University Executive Leadership
• Michigan State University’s Business Leadership and Management

How to write a senior executive resume?

• Target your resume to the position. It’s imperative that you tailor your executive resume to the position and the company that hires you. Don’t just demonstrate that you have the needed skills. Use the Experience and Summary section to demonstrate that you overcame challenges similar to what they experience right now. Often companies switch leadership in time of crisis and uncertainty. Learn more about the target company’s recent challenges and use this information to build authority and relevance.
• Make the most impact with the top-third of your resume . Your senior executive resume is going to be long, but to make sure people will read all of it you need to give them a motivation. Use the top third section to present your key achievements and skills.
• Maximise the impact of your third page. There’s no need to describe all the jobs you had over the span of a 20 or 30+ year career. This will certainly eat all the pages on your senior executive resume. Instead, use the last page of your resume to showcase your unique identifiers and set yourself apart: list awards, publications you were featured in, research projects, and lifetime accomplishments.

Having problems packing all your years of experience in a resume? Check out our guide on resume length .

Additional sections to boost your resume special sauce

Your executive resume provides impact and demonstrates that you have all the necessary skills to be successful in your work.

It’s time to stand out of your competition and leave a lasting impression with custom sections.

Here are some custom sections that you can use to highlights your leadership skills and build your personal brand even further:

Achievements / Highlights

Every executive with many years of experience undoubtedly had career highlights that deserve attention.

It’s important to keep this section focused on specific achievements and not just brag about yourself.

Those achievements may include: prestigious business awards, work achievements, and even published books relevant to the job.

Our selected resume template above is from one of our successful clients, William H. Saito , who used custom sections to build a strong personal brand and hint at holistic development of his leadership skills.

Day of My Life

If you feel creative and confident in the rest of your resume, you can provide a personal touch with a “Day of My Life” section. This section is extremely powerful as it can help you demonstrate your human side and integrity.

Coupled with your achievements and work results from other sections, this is a great way to show your ability at following work and life balance, balance priorities, and sustain integrity.

A great example of this section in use is our Marissa Mayer’s resume which not only went viral and got a great number of positive responses, but also attracted attention from leaders of a business world, such as Mark Cuban.

• Approach resume writing process not only for marketing, but also for building your personal brand and forming unique selling proposition;
• Make sure the brand you build aligns well with the company that you want to work with;
• Strive to demonstrate impact with every section of your executive resume using results, achievements, and confident language;
• Stand out from the crowd of other candidates with custom sections that drive your personal brand even further and demonstrate you as all-round person;
• Make sure to study the job requirements and the company’s history before applying as it will help you make your resume much more aligned with their vision of who will lead their company.

Executive resume examples

Explore additional executive resume samples and guides and see what works for your level of experience or role.

Looking to build your own Executive resume?

• Resume Examples

How to Make a Resume That Stands Out in 2024: A Guide That Stands Out

128+ resume summary examples & how-to guide for 2024, the resumes of chernobyl, 15+ tried and tested career change resume tips (with examples), how to ask for a raise (with template), can i send a resume instead of a cv.

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14 Essential Resume Headers and Sections with Examples

In today’s competitive job market, a well-crafted resume is essential to stand out from the crowd. And one of the critical components of an effective resume is the proper use of headers and sections. These elements help to structure the resume and make it easier for recruiters and hiring managers to quickly understand your qualifications and experience.

In this article, we will explore the 14 essential resume headers and sections that every job seeker should include. From the summary statement to the education section, we’ll provide examples and tips to create a powerful resume that will impress potential employers.

But first, let’s take a look at the history of resume headers and sections. While the concept of a resume has been around for centuries, it wasn’t until the 20th century that formalized sections began to appear. In the 1950s and 1960s, the “Objective” section became popular, followed by the “Experience” and “Education” sections in the 1970s.

Over time, the format and content of resume headers and sections have evolved to keep up with changes in the job market and employment practices. But even with all the changes, the importance of properly structured resume sections remains the same. So, let’s dive in and learn about the essential headers and sections for your resume.

Contact Information Header

When it comes to creating a winning resume, having a contact information header is crucial, yet it is often overlooked. The header serves as the first point of contact between you and potential employers, and if not properly formatted, it can lead to missed opportunities.

A. Importance of having a contact information header

The contact information header is the foundation of your resume. Without it, hiring managers and recruiters may have a difficult time reaching out to you for follow-up interviews or job offers. It’s essential to make sure that your header is properly formatted and easy to read.

Your contact information should include your full name, professional title, phone number, email address, and physical address. Make sure to keep your information up-to-date and accurate, as outdated information could lead to missed opportunities.

In addition to providing easy access to your contact information, your header should also make you stand out from other applicants. Consider adding a personal logo or incorporating a unique design to represent your personal brand.

B. Examples of proper contact information formatting

Here are some examples of proper contact information formatting:

John Doe  Marketing Manager 555-555-5555  [email protected]  123 Main Street Anytown, USA 12345

Jane Smith  Graphic Designer 555-555-5555  [email protected]  5678 Oak Drive Cityville, USA 67890

The contact information header is a critical component of any resume. It’s important to make sure that your contact information is accurate, up-to-date, and easy to read. Adding a personal touch to your header can also help you stand out from the competition. With a well-formatted contact information header, you can increase your chances of landing your dream job.

Professional Summary Section

A. purpose of a professional summary section.

The purpose of a professional summary section is to provide a brief overview of your professional background, skills, and accomplishments to catch the reader’s attention and persuade them to continue reading your resume. It should be placed at the beginning of your resume and serve as an introduction to your qualifications for the position that you are applying for.

B. Examples of effective professional summary statements

Experienced marketing manager with over 8 years of experience in developing and implementing successful marketing campaigns for Fortune 500 companies.

Skilled software developer with expertise in Java and Python programming languages, with a proven track record of designing and implementing complex software systems for multinational corporations.

A dedicated and motivated customer service professional with a strong work ethic and excellent communication skills, committed to providing top-notch service to clients.

These professional summary statements provide a brief introduction of the candidate’s qualifications and expertise, highlighting their key strengths and achievements relevant to the position applied for.

C. Mistakes to avoid when writing a professional summary

When writing a professional summary, there are several mistakes that should be avoided.

Don’t make it too long – keep it concise and to the point, ideally no more than 3-4 sentences.

Don’t make it generic – tailor your professional summary to the job description and the company you are applying to.

Don’t exaggerate or make false claims – be truthful and honest about your skills and accomplishments.

Don’t use jargon or technical terms that the reader may not be familiar with – use clear and simple language that anyone can understand.

By avoiding these mistakes, you can write a professional summary that effectively showcases your skills and qualifications, making a positive impression on the reader and increasing your chances of getting hired. The professional summary section is a crucial part of your resume, and it is important to put in the effort to make it stand out.

Work Experience Section

Your work experience section is arguably the most important part of your resume. It showcases your career history, accomplishments, and the skills you’ve developed over time. A well-written work experience section can make or break your chances of landing an interview.

A. Significance of a Work Experience Section

Recruiters and hiring managers want to see a detailed account of your previous work experience. They want to know what kind of tasks and projects you’ve worked on in the past, your responsibilities, your achievements, and how you’ve contributed to your past employers’ success.

Your work experience section is the best way to demonstrate your career progression, relevant skills, and expertise in your field. It’s your opportunity to show your potential employers what kind of value you can bring to their organization.

B. Tips for Structuring Work Experience Details

To make your work experience section effective, you need to structure it correctly. Here are a few tips to keep in mind:

• Start with your most recent job and work backward chronologically.
• Include the job title, company name, and dates of employment for each role.
• Write a brief description of each position, emphasizing your responsibilities and accomplishments.
• Use bullet points to highlight your achievements and skills.
• Quantify your achievements whenever possible, using numbers to demonstrate your impact.
• Use active verbs, such as “managed,” “created,” and “led,” to make your accomplishments more impactful.

C. Examples of Job Descriptions with Bullet Points

Here are a few examples of job descriptions with bullet points that you can use as inspiration for your own work experience section:

Example 1: Sales Manager

• Directed a sales team of 10 people and exceeded monthly sales targets for five consecutive quarters.
• Identified and pursued new business opportunities, resulting in a 25% increase in revenue.
• Developed and implemented a training program for new hires that reduced ramp-up time by 50%.
• Collaborated with the marketing team to create effective promotional materials.
• Achieved a customer satisfaction rating of 95% through excellent customer service.

Example 2: Marketing Coordinator

• Coordinated and executed successful marketing campaigns across multiple social media platforms.
• Developed and maintained relationships with influencers, resulting in a 30% increase in brand awareness.
• Wrote copy for website and email campaigns that resulted in a 20% increase in conversions.
• Conducted market research to identify new trends and opportunities for the business.
• Collaborated with cross-functional teams to ensure successful product launches.

Example 3: Software Developer

• Developed and maintained a web application that served over 10,000 users daily.
• Created and executed test plans to ensure high quality of code and minimize bugs.
• Collaborated with product and design teams to develop user-friendly interfaces.
• Implemented features that improved the scalability and performance of the application.
• Documented development processes and made recommendations for process improvement.

Skills Section

As a job seeker, your resume is your ticket to landing your desired job. While your education, work experience, and accolades are all essential aspects of your resume, you cannot underestimate the importance of the skills section. Your skills section can play a crucial role in securing a job offer, especially in today’s competitive job market.

A. The value of a skills section

The skills section on your resume provides potential employers with an insight into what you can bring to the table. It showcases your strengths and helps employers assess your qualifications for a given job. Writing a well-crafted skills section that accurately conveys your abilities can set you apart from your competition.

Keeping in mind that employers usually spend just a few seconds initially reviewing a resume, the skills section can be a quick go-to reference when trying to gauge if you meet their requirements. A strong skills section can grab their attention and increase the chances that they will spend more time reading your resume to see if you are a good fit.

B. Categorizing skills to showcase relevance to job requirements

A well-crafted skills section requires thought and analysis. Depending on the type of job and the industry, certain skills will be more relevant. You don’t want to list every skill you possess. Instead, you should carefully consider the specific job you are applying for and highlight the skills that make you the best candidate for that role.

Categorizing your skills is a useful way to showcase how relevant they are to the job requirements. Grouping them by different skill sets and making these visually appealing in a table or bullet-pointed list will help make it easier for the hiring manager to assess your qualifications.

C. Examples of skills listing and explanations

Let’s say you are applying for a customer service position at a retail store. Categorizing your skills could be done into multiple groups such as communication, problem solving, customer service, and technology. Some examples of how you could showcase these skills are as follows:

• Skilled in providing excellent customer service in person, via email and phone to enhance the customer’s experience
• Active listener who can effectively diffuse and manage difficult customer situations
• Detail-oriented and proficient at conflict resolution
• Ability to assess complex situations accurately and effectively
• Experience in working in a customer-facing role with a focus on delivering personalized solutions to meet the customer’s needs
• Willingness to go above and beyond to create a positive experience
• Knowledgeable in using POS systems and other technologies commonly used in retail settings
• Adaptable to using new software programs and applications

These bullet points illustrate how showcasing specific skills in a relevant industry can help align you with the job you are aiming for.

A skills section offers an additional opportunity to sell yourself. It allows you to showcase your strengths and highlights your relevant skills for each job requirement.

Education Section

The education section of your resume is an important factor in showcasing your qualifications and capabilities. It tells your prospective employers about your academic background, your areas of expertise, and what educational achievements you bring to the table. Here are some key points on the significance of the education section:

A. Importance of the education section

The education section gives a comprehensive outlook of your qualifications, especially in technical fields where you have to possess certain knowledge and skills to perform well. It also highlights your ability to learn and adapt, and your commitment to constantly improve your knowledge base.

Moreover, when you have limited work experience, your education can help demonstrate your suitability for a particular role. For instance, if you are applying for an entry-level position in software development, your degree in computer science or a related field can be an important factor in gaining the trust of the hiring manager.

B. Prominence and location of education section on the resume

The prominence and location of the education section on your resume depend on how relevant it is to the position applied for, and how much weight it carries. If, for instance, you are an experienced UX designer or project manager, your education may not be the most significant aspect of your candidacy, so you may choose to place it towards the end of your resume. Alternatively, if you are a fresh graduate or someone transitioning to a new field, your education may be the strongest indicator of your potential to perform well, so it can be given a more prominent position.

Generally, the education section is placed after the summary or objective statement on a resume, and should follow a logical order, with the most recent courses taken or degrees earned appearing first.

C. Examples for education section formatting

The following are some examples of how to format the education section of your resume.

Example 1: Recent graduate pursuing entry-level position

Bachelor of Science in Marketing, XYZ University (2019-2023)

GPA: 3.8/4.0

Relevant coursework: Consumer Behavior, Digital Marketing, Market Research

Example 2: Professional with extensive experience, but recently completed a relevant course

Certificate in Project Management, ABC Institution (2021)

PMP certification in progress

Example 3: Professional with several degrees and relevant certifications

Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering, DEF University (2015-2017)

Bachelor of Science in Physics, GHI University (2011-2015)

Certified Energy Manager (CEM), Association of Energy Engineers (2019)

The education section of your resume is a crucial component that should be tailored to highlight your qualifications and demonstrate your potential to be a great fit for the position. By keeping in mind the importance of the section, its prominent position, and purposeful formatting, you can effectively showcase your education in your resume.

Certifications, Licenses, and Training Section

A. overview of certifications, licenses, and training section.

The certifications, licenses, and training section of your resume is where you list any relevant qualifications that demonstrate your expertise and competency in your field. This section is particularly important for professionals in industries such as healthcare, finance, education, and IT, where licenses and certifications are often required to practice legally or advance in your career.

Your certifications, licenses, and training section should immediately follow your education section on your resume and should include the following details:

• Certification or license name
• Issuing organization or institution
• Date of certification or license
• Expiration date (if applicable)

If you have completed any relevant training programs, you should also include these in this section, along with the date of completion and the name of the course or program.

B. Examples of Certifications, Licenses, and Training Section Listing

To give you an idea of how to structure your certifications, licenses, and training section, here are a few examples:

Example 1: Healthcare

• American Nurses Association
• Issued 2015
• Expires 2020
• American Heart Association
• Issued 2019
• Expires 2021
• Issued 2020
• Expires 2022
• American Red Cross

Example 2: Finance

• State Board of Accountancy
• Issued 2018
• Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA)
• Issued 2016
• Completed 2017

Example 3: Technology

• International Information System Security Certification Consortium (ISC)²
• Expires 2023
• Cisco Systems
• No expiration date

Remember, when listing your certifications, licenses, and training, only include those that are relevant to the job you are applying for.

Achievements and Awards Section

When it comes to crafting a winning resume, highlighting your achievements and awards is just as important as listing your experience and qualifications. This section can help you stand out from the competition and show potential employers what you’ve accomplished throughout your career.

A. Emphasis of Achievements and Awards Section

The achievements and awards section of your resume should be prominently displayed and given the same level of attention as other sections, such as your work history and education. This section is where you can showcase any recognition you’ve received for your hard work, as well as any major accomplishments you’ve achieved in your career.

B. Importance in Demonstrating Accomplishments

Including your accomplishments and awards on your resume is important because it gives potential employers tangible evidence of your skills and abilities. By highlighting your previous successes, you’re showing employers that you have the experience and know-how to excel in your role. This can also give you an edge over other candidates who may have similar qualifications, but lack the accomplishments and recognition you’ve received.

C. How to Write Achievements and Awards Statements

When writing your achievements and awards statements, it’s important to be specific and measurable. Use numbers and data to quantify your successes, such as an increase in sales, the number of people you managed, or a decrease in costs. This will make your accomplishments more tangible and impressive to potential employers.

Start each statement with an action verb to make it clear what you did to achieve your goal. For example, instead of saying “Increased sales for the company,” try “Boosted company sales by 25% through targeted marketing campaigns.”

D. Examples of Achievements and Awards Statements

• Increased revenue by 50% through the development and execution of a new marketing strategy.
• Earned Employee of the Year award for outstanding performance and dedication to the company.
• Successfully led a team of 10 in the completion of a high-profile project, resulting in a 95% client satisfaction rate.
• Achieved a 30% reduction in operating costs through the implementation of streamlined processes and procedures.
• Recognized with a Sales Achievement Award for surpassing quarterly sales goals by 150%.

By highlighting your achievements and awards in your resume, you’re giving yourself the best chance of landing your dream job. Remember to be specific and measurable in your statements, and use action verbs to make your accomplishments stand out.

Language, Hobbies, and Interests Section

When crafting a well-rounded resume, you might want to consider including a section that highlights your special skills, languages, hobbies, and interests. Here are some reasons why:

A. Inclusion of a section for special skills; languages, hobbies, and interests

Shows personality: Including your hobbies and interests can give the hiring manager a glimpse into who you are as a person.

Highlights unique skills: You might possess a special skill that sets you apart from other candidates. Including it in your resume can make you stand out.

Shows language proficiency: If you speak multiple languages, it’s beneficial to mention it in your resume. It shows your ability to communicate with a broader audience.

B. Examples of when to include in a resume

Language skills: If the job you’re applying for requires you to communicate with clients from different countries or regions, mentioning the languages you speak can be a significant advantage.

Hobbies and interests: If you’re applying for a job where creativity and innovation are essential, your outside interests, such as photography or writing, can demonstrate your ability to think outside the box.

C. Examples of appropriate inclusion of hobbies and interests section

Including hobbies and interests in a resume can be tricky. You don’t want to appear unprofessional or uninterested in the job you’re applying for. Here are some examples of the right way to showcase your hobbies and interests:

If you’re applying for a job in the sports industry, mentioning your passion for a particular sport can demonstrate your knowledge of the industry.

If you’re applying for a marketing job, you can mention your interest in social media and how you stay up-to-date with the latest trends.

If you’re applying for a job in the tech industry, you can mention your interest in coding as a hobby.

If you’re applying for a customer service position where communication is key, including your language skills can be a significant advantage.

If you’re applying for a job in the creative industry, your outside hobbies, such as photography or painting, can highlight your artistic side.

Including a section for your special skills, languages, hobbies, and interests can add a personal touch to your resume. However, make sure to only include relevant information that shows why you’re the best candidate for the job.

Professional Association Memberships Section

Professional association memberships can be an excellent way to network, learn new skills, and stay up-to-date with the latest news and trends in your industry. In this section, we’ll explore the benefits of being involved in local or national professional associations, and provide some examples of successful affiliation with industry associations or professional networks.

A. Overview of Involving in Local or National Professional Associations

Joining a professional association has numerous advantages. Firstly, it enables you to connect with others in your industry, broadening your network and providing opportunities to learn and develop new skills. Attending association events, conferences and workshops is an excellent way to reap these benefits. You can also participate in online discussion forums, webinars, or mentorship programs that help you stay current on trends and strategies.

Being a member of a professional association also gives you access to a variety of resources including industry publications, e-books, whitepapers, and research studies. These resources can help you to stay informed about new developments, best practices and innovative ideas in your field.

Additionally, membership in a professional association highlights your commitment to your profession and can elevate your status in the eyes of employers or clients. It is also an excellent way to demonstrate that you are investing in your professional growth.

B. Perceived Benefits of Professional Association Memberships

There are numerous perceived benefits of professional association memberships. Members often find that they have improved access to job opportunities, as well as increased credibility in their chosen field. Professional associations can provide valuable insights into industry trends, standards, regulations and best practices. Additionally, there is often a sense of comradery among members, with many professional associations hosting regular social events to encourage networking and development of informal support systems.

Professional associations also provide a platform for members to advocate for their industry, collaborate with colleagues to effect positive change, and promote growth and development of the profession on a wider level.

C. Examples of Affiliation with Industry Associations or Professional Networks

If you’re looking to boost your career prospects, joining a professional association is a fantastic first step. There are many different industry-specific and general professional associations to choose from. Here are a few examples of successful affiliation with industry associations or professional networks:

The American Marketing Association is an excellent resource for marketing professionals, providing opportunities for networking, training, and development.

The Society for Human Resource Management is an essential membership for HR professionals seeking to advance their knowledge and skills.

The National Association of Realtors (NAR) is a nationally recognized trade association for real estate professionals. It provides valuable resources, training opportunities, and events for real estate agents and brokers.

The Association of Women in Science is a professional association that supports women working in science and technology fields. It provides opportunities for networking, mentoring, advocacy, and professional development.

References Section

Including a references section is an essential component of any well-rounded and effective resume. Not only does it demonstrate professionalism and thoroughness, but it also allows potential employers to verify your past work experience and performance.

When listing references, it is essential to follow appropriate etiquette. These guidelines include obtaining permission from your references before providing their contact information, selecting individuals who can speak to your work experience and qualifications, and listing their names, titles, and contact information clearly.

To construct a reference section, begin by creating a separate section titled “References” or “Professional References.” Next, list your references in alphabetical order by last name. Include their full names, titles, company names, email addresses, and phone numbers.

Below is an example of a properly formatted references section:

John Doe  Senior Marketing Manager XYZ Corporation johndoe.

Optional Sections

As a job seeker, you need to have a well-crafted resume that represents your skills, experiences, and achievements in a clear and concise manner. While there are certain standard sections that every resume should have like personal information, work experience, education, and skills, there are also some optional sections that can add value to your resume.

Here are some additional sections that you can consider including in your resume:

Objective/Summary Statement:  This section is a brief description of your career goals, skills, and experiences. You can use this section to convey to the potential employer what you can bring to the table.

Volunteer Work:  Including volunteer work in your resume can demonstrate your commitment to your community and your willingness to help others. This section can be particularly useful if your volunteer work relates to your target job.

Certifications/Licenses:  Adding certifications or licenses to your resume can showcase that you have the right knowledge, skills, and expertise required for the job.

Professional Memberships:  If you belong to any relevant professional organizations or societies, you should include them in your resume. This section can indicate that you are dedicated to your profession and actively engage in professional development.

Languages:  If you are fluent in other languages besides English, you can list them in your resume. This section can make you more desirable for jobs where bilingual skills are in demand.

Technical Skills:  If you have any specialized technical skills, such as programming languages or graphic design software, you can highlight them in your resume. This section can help you stand out from other candidates.

Now, let’s take a look at some examples of how to use optional sections effectively:

Objective/Summary Statement:  “A highly motivated marketing professional with more than five years of experience in developing and implementing successful marketing campaigns. Seeking a challenging position in an organization that values creativity, innovation, and strategic thinking.”

Volunteer Work:  “Volunteered with Habitat for Humanity, building affordable homes for low-income families. Worked with a team of volunteers to organize fundraising events and community outreach programs.”

Certifications/Licenses:  “Certified in Project Management Professional (PMP) from the Project Management Institute. Licensed to practice law in the state of California.”

Professional Memberships:  “Member of the American Marketing Association (AMA). Attended several conferences and workshops on market research, branding, and social media marketing.”

Languages:  “Fluent in Spanish and proficient in French. Worked as a translator for a multinational corporation, handling international communications and negotiations.”

Technical Skills:  “Proficient in Adobe Creative Suite, including Photoshop, InDesign, and Illustrator. Familiar with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Developed several websites and digital marketing campaigns using these tools.”

Including optional sections in your resume can enhance your chances of landing your dream job.

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More from ResumeHead

How to Create a Resume Header (With Examples and Tips)

I know what you’re thinking: One more thing to worry about when it comes to your job search. Well, I have good news for you! Unlike tailoring your bullet points or crafting the perfect cover letter opening , the header’s pretty simple once you know what should be there.

Because it's more important than most people give it credit for, I enlisted the help of HR expert and Muse career coach Joyel Crawford to make sure I covered all the bases.

Here’s what goes in your resume header plus a few examples for you to check out:

Pretty straight forward, but this should be the full name you go by professionally (middle name optional). So, the name you use on your resume should match what you use on LinkedIn and relevant social media, as well as any searchable work products like articles you’ve written or industry awards you’ve won. If you’ve changed your last name  recently, you might consider listing both last names (for example, by placing your maiden name in parenthesis or similar).

Oh, and a quick formatting tip: Your name should be the biggest thing on the page. Hiring managers don’t have a lot of time to spend on your resume. Make it easy for them to see who you are.  

Your location

Recruiters and hiring managers no longer need to see your full address on your resume, but it’s still pretty typical to include your city and state.

That said, sometimes your current location can work against you in your job search. “If you’re seeking work outside of your home state, you may want to keep the city and state off of your contact information so that the recruiter knows that you’re open to relocation,” Crawford says.

In place of these missing pieces, Crawford says to include the city or state where you’re willing to relocate, or merely write “open to relocation.” (P.S.: That city or state should be where the organization is looking to hire employees.)

Read more: Your Street Address Doesn't Belong on Your Resume Anymore. Here's What Does  

Your phone number

Generally, this should be your personal cell phone number—or whatever personal line you use most often. And while you’re at it, “make sure the voicemail box is open and available to receive messages, and the outgoing message should be professional and direct,” Crawford says. Don’t let a quirky voicemail message ruin your job chances.

Your email address

Your email address should be professional and easy to read, so no “[email protected].” Email accounts are free, so if you have to, create a new one (preferably on a more common platform, like Gmail) that includes some form of your first and last name. Using first or last initials are 100% allowed, as is reversing the order and going with LastName.FirstName.

Also, you probably know this, but “never use your work email address or office number to search for other jobs. That’s just bad form,” Crawford says.

Your pronouns

Adding your pronouns to your resume is an entirely personal choice based on your personal situation and where you’re applying to jobs. But if you do decide to include them, your header is the place to do it.

Read more:   Ask a Queer Career Coach: Should I Put My Pronouns on My Resume?  

Your LinkedIn URL

If you have a LinkedIn profile (and in most cases, you should), include a link to it in your header. This way, if the reader likes your resume, they can easily click to learn more about you as a professional. Pro tip: Go ahead and  personalize your LinkedIn URL.

Relevant links

For most people, the above elements are enough. But, “if you’re applying for a creative role like a photography position, advertising, a role that works with a blog or website, or a position that has a lot of online interaction, and your social media or portfolio work would show your skill and experience in that field, I would recommend including it,” says Muse career coach Emma Flowers . Simply add the link to your header so anyone reading your resume can see examples of your work.

If you’re including your social media profiles, double check to make sure there’s nothing incriminating on there—if there’s any doubt, better to make your account private and leave it off your resume.

“It’s hard to say exclusively who should and shouldn’t include this extra information, but if you’re questioning whether or not to, you should leave it out of the header and stick to phone number, email, and LinkedIn,” Flowers says.

Example resume headers

Here are a few examples of resume headers. When you’re writing yours, don’t be afraid to play with font sizes and colors, text alignment and spacing, or bold and italics.

A basic resume header example:

Dwayne Peters 123-456-7890 | [email protected] | he/they New York, NY | LinkedIn | dwayneharrisonpeters.com

A resume header for someone with a name change:

Patricia (Thompson) Chen 111-222-3333 [email protected] Dallas, TX LinkedIn

A resume header someone who is relocating:

Alexander “Sasha” Alexandrovich Shevchenko 999.888.7777 - [email protected] - he/him Relocating to Atlanta, Georgia in September 2023 LinkedIn - @sashaashevchenko

All other resume rules apply to your resume header. Don’t go overboard with fonts, colors, and bold or italics, and make sure to proofread . How embarrassing would it be to misspell your own name? Not on your watch. 

7 Resume Headers You Must Include (And 4 to Leave Out)

Brandi Glass

• 4 min read.

Resumes should be concise and, ideally, no more than a page long, but you don’t want to leave important information out, either. That’s why it’s important to have the right resume structure.

Some resume headers are essential, while others just waste valuable space. So, let’s take a look at the resume headers you must include and the ones you should forget about. We’ll also include resume header examples, so you can use this article as a resume header template.

Resume Headers You Should Include

Don’t label your resume “Resume” — the recruiter already knows what it is, so you’re just wasting space. Instead, make your name the document title or first header, and then include your contact details underneath.

That said, you should definitely include “resume” as well as your full name in the document file name.

Professional Summary

This is your chance to give a quick overview of who you are, why you’re applying for the job and what makes you a good choice. Try to use metrics or achievements when describing your skills and background. You should also work on key phrases from the job listing.

For example:

As a Shop Manager with three years of experience in a high-street store, I’m looking for a more challenging role in the luxury goods market. With a proven track record of boosting sales by 150% over the last twelve months, I am a strong salesperson and have excellent communication skills.

Use this section to detail the technical and soft skills you have that make you a good fit for the job. Ideally, you’ll mention points from the job listing and back them up with metrics and achievements. Aim for around four to eight skills, each with its own bullet point. For example:

• Written communication skills: rewrote company landing page leading to an 80% increase in sign-ups

For some jobs, you may wish to divide the skill section into two parts. For example, if you’re applying for a translator role, and you speak five languages, it would be worth adding a languages section as well as a more general skills section. Similarly, programmers might have a programming languages header, and graphic designers might opt for a software section.

When choosing whether to divide your skills section into two parts, ask yourself: are these skills highly relevant to the role? Is there a clear distinction between the two types of skills? And are there enough of each type of skill that it makes sense to have two sections?

Work History

Also called career history or professional experience, the work history section goes into the details of your past roles and responsibilities. You don’t need to include every job you’ve ever had, however, especially if you’ve been in the workforce a long time. Stick to the roles that are recent and/or relevant.

When listing roles, include your job title, the company name and the start and end months and years. For the most important roles, you should add a bullet point list describing your responsibilities and achievements. Try to also include key phrases from the job listing where relevant. For example:

Accountant, N&R Accountants, March 2018 — January 2022

• Worked on P&L statements, balance sheets, audits and tax reports
• Reduced clients’ annual tax bills by up to 17% by advising them on deductibles

If you have limited relevant work experience, you might want to move the education section above your work history. For example, this could apply to you if you’re a new graduate or looking to change careers to something more in line with your major. Otherwise, keep the education section below your work history.

Your education section should be brief. There’s no need to include your GPA unless you recently graduated and your GPA was 3.5 or above. If you graduated from college, you don’t need to include your high school certificate, either.

For example: Master of Arts in Corporate Communication, GPA: 3.9, 2021 The City University of New York

Bachelor of Arts in Communication and Media Studies, 2019 Fayetteville State University

Certifications and/or Licences

If you have multiple certifications or licences that are relevant to the role in question, it’s worth creating a section for them. However, if you only have one certification, either include it in the education or skills sections.

Affiliations and Memberships

Again, if you have multiple relevant affiliations, you can create a section for them. Alternatively, you can include them in the professional summary if you think they are important enough.

Resume Headers to Leave Out

Contact details.

Your contact details need to be on your resume. They don’t, however, need a header. You can just list them under your name. Make sure you include your phone number, email address and any relevant links, e.g. to a personal website or portfolio. Don’t include your address, date of birth or photo.

There’s no need to include your references on your resume, or even that single sentence: “References available upon request.” Recruiters and HR managers will decide if and when they want to see references, so skip this section to save precious space.

Do your hobbies demonstrate your aptitude for the job in question? If so, you can work them into the Skills, Certifications or Affiliations sections. If not, they don’t need to be on your resume.

As interesting as they may be, no recruiter will change their mind and invite you to the next stage of the applicant just because of your hobbies. And if the interviewer really does want to know about your interests, they can ask you in the interview.

Internships and Volunteer Experience

You’ve worked hard and gained valuable experience as a volunteer or an intern, and this should definitely go on your resume. However, it doesn’t need its own section. Include all internships and voluntary roles in the work history section instead. After all, that’s where the recruiter will look to learn more about your professional experience.

Resume Header Templates That are Guaranteed to Impress Recruiters

You have just seconds to impress a recruiter with your resume, so it’s important to include all the right information.

Our resume builder will help you decide how to structure your resume based on your experience level and qualifications. It will also suggest recruiter-approved phrasing, skills and more.

We have over 2 million resume templates that will launch you to job-hunting success.

It takes just minutes to customize them to the job in question and your background. What’s more, they’re all ATS machine-readable, so your resume will look as good to a computer as it will to a job interviewer.

So, what are you waiting for? Start building your resume today .

Resume Examples for 2024 & Guides for Any Job [90+ Examples]

In today’s competitive job market, having an impactful resume is more essential than ever. 

However, many job seekers struggle to craft a resume that effectively highlights their skills and experience and, in turn, misses out on potential job opportunities. 

This is where our extensive library of resume examples comes in. 

By looking at examples of resumes for different industries and professions, you can gain great insight into what works and what doesn’t, get inspired to present your own qualifications, and stand out from the competition.

Let’s dive in!

15+ Resume Examples

#1. architect resume example.

Here’s what this architect resume example does right:

• Lists related experience. This resume highlights the relevant professional experience the candidate gained in the field during their internship.
• Mentions achievements and responsibilities. The candidate backs up their claims by going into detail about their achievements and responsibilities. 
• Focus on personal projects. By dedicating a section to their personal projects, this candidate makes up for their lack of work experience and shows off their dedication to the industry. 

#2. Business Resume Example

Here’s what this business-related resume example does right:

• Prioritizes work experience. The work experience section is arguably the most important section in every resume, which is why this candidate has given it a priority by giving it enough resume space and going into detail about their previous positions. 
• Highlights accomplishments. To make their professional experience even more impactful, this candidate has supported all their claims with quantifiable achievements. 
• Lists the right optional sections . The candidate adds more value to their resume by including the organizations, honors, and conferences as optional sections.

#3. Computer Science Resume Example

Here’s what this computer science resume does right: 

• Prioritizes technical skills. Technical skills are essential when it comes to IT-related roles, which is why this candidate has prioritized them over soft skills.
• Keeps the education section concise. With such extensive professional experience in the field, the candidate has opted to keep their education section short.
• Lists relevant social media profiles. Listing websites like GitHub and LinkedIn is a great way to provide recruiters with additional information about your skills.

#4. Data Analyst Resume Example

Here’s what this data analyst resume does right: 

• Includes a strong resume summary . This candidate showcases their key skills and qualifications from the get-go, which is much more likely to get recruiters to read their resumes from start to finish.
• Highlights technical skills. Data analysts work with “big data,” so this candidate prioritizes their quantitative and technical skills over other resume sections.
• Lists relevant professional certifications . The resume lists the candidate’s most noteworthy professional certificates.

#5. College Resume Example

Here’s what this college resume example does right: 

• Lists relevant social media profiles. By including their Medium and LinkedIn accounts, this candidate gives the hiring manager a chance to know them more professionally. 
• Highlights achievements . Although they lack work experience, the candidate has listed everything they’ve achieved during their academic career, thus showing they’re a promising candidate. 
• Mentions the right optional sections. Adding hobbies and interests and foreign languages to a resume is a huge plus for a candidate with no work experience.

#6. Customer Service Resume Example

Here’s what this customer service resume does right: 

• Includes both soft and hard skills . Customer service roles require a mix of soft and hard skills, so this candidate has listed both. 
• Mentions quantifiable achievements. To make their achievements more impressive, the candidate has backed up their work achievements with data and numbers. 
• Lists foreign language skills. Foreign languages are a huge plus when you’re working in customer service and this resume does a good job highlighting the candidate’s foreign language skills. 

#7. Digital Marketing Resume Example

Here’s what this digital marketing resume does right: 

• Follows the reverse chronological format . This format is the most popular one worldwide and is easily the safest choice.
• Grabs attention with a resume summary. In a single glance, the recruiter can tell that the candidate is a digital marketing professional with the right amount of experience.
• Lists relevant skills. The digital marketing specialist resume above lists in-demand marketing skills like Google Ads, SEO, and others.

#8. Graduate Resume Example

Here’s what this graduate resume example does right:

• Starts off with a well-written resume objective . The resume objective does a great job of showing off the candidate’s promise and industry-related experience. 
• Includes work experience. The candidate has gained professional experience while they were a student and they’ve made sure to include that in their resume. 
• Takes advantage of optional sections. Sections like volunteer experience, and personal projects and achievements can help make up for the lack of extensive experience in the industry. 

#9. HR Resume Example

Here’s what this human resources resume example does right: 

• Follows the right format. The reverse chronological format lists the candidate’s latest experience and achievements first, which is exactly what recruiters want to see. 
• Highlights professional experience. With so many years in the industry, this candidate has dedicated the biggest part of their resume to their work history. 
• Includes courses and certificates. To make their achievements even more impressive, the candidate has included all their courses and certifications. 

#10. Medical Assistant Resume Example

Here’s what this medical assistant resume example does right: 

• Starts off with a memorable resume summary. The candidate lists their years of experience, skills, and passion for the industry, making it more likely for the hiring manager to read the rest of their resume. 
• Lists the candidate’s certificates. There are many certifications one can obtain in the medical field, and this candidate proves how professional they are by listing theirs. 
• Highlights the candidate’s extensive work experience. Experience speaks louder than a thousand words, which is why this resume example provides the work experience section its due space. 

#11. Project Manager Resume Example

Here’s what this project manager resume example does right: 

• Uses bullet points. The candidate uses bullet points to organize and present the information which makes this project manager resume example look neat and structured.
• Keeps their education section relevant. The candidate only includes their key education details, such as their Bachelor’s degree and a field-related minor.
• Takes advantage of additional sections. The candidate takes advantage of the extra space on their project manager resume by including relevant additional sections, such as their industry-related certifications and academic achievements

#12. Bar Manager Resume Example

Here’s what this bar manager resume example does right:

• Includes relevant social media profiles. Details such as your LinkedIn profile or Instagram handle make you look more professional (as long as they’re work-related). 
• Mentions industry-related skills. Instead of listing a bunch of unrelated skills, the bar manager resume example above only lists industry-relevant skills.
• Quantifiable achievements. This applicant quantifies their achievements as much as possible, showing the bar owner how they stand out amongst other candidates.

#13. Supervisor Resume Example

Here’s what this supervisor resume example does right: 

• Lists relevant contact details . The supervisor resume example above leaves out redundancies like marital status or age and includes relevant information, like a LinkedIn URL. 
• Features as many accomplishments as possible. To really highlight their candidate’s professional experience, the supervisor example lists achievements over responsibilities. 
• Lists the right kind of skills. This supervisor's resume example doesn’t list every skill under the sun. Instead, they keep the section relevant by only listing skills required from a supervisor. 

#14. Teacher Resume Example

Here’s what this teacher resume example does right:

• Mentions industry-relevant skills. The candidate lists all the soft and hard skills a teacher should have. 
• Includes hobbies and interests . By including hobbies and interests, the hiring manager will see the candidate as more than just a resume. 
• Lists volunteer experience. The candidate reinforces their teaching experience by including their teaching volunteer gigs and experience. 

#15. Writer Resume Example

Here’s just what this writer resume example does right: 

• Impressive resume summary. The resume includes a brief but effective resume summary that highlights the candidate’s skills and top achievements.
• Relevant contact details. This writer resume example contains relevant contact information, including the candidate’s name and surname, email address, phone number, location, professional website URL, and LinkedIn URL. 
• Short education section. A writer’s skills and experience matter more than their education. For this reason, this candidate kept their writer resume’s education section short and sweet. 

#16. Web Developer Resume Example

Here’s what this web developer resume example does right: 

• Focuses on technical skills. Technical skills are essential for web development, which is why this candidate has prioritized theirs.
• Grabs attention with their work experience. Their rich work experience, listed in reverse chronological order, shows the candidate is a promising professional.
• Keeps their education section minimal. With such extensive work experience and training, the candidate has kept their education section concise.

65+ More Resume Examples and Guides 

Couldn’t find a resume example for your field? Worry not!

Below you can find a number of other resume examples for different fields and industries:

• Accountant Resume
• Administrative Assistant Resume
• AI Engineer Resume
• Animator Resume
• Babysitter Resume
• Banking Resume
• Bank Teller Resume
• Barbie's Resume
• Barista Resume
• Bartender Resume
• Bookkeeper Resume
• Business Analyst Resume
• Career Change Resume
• Caregiver Resume
• Cashier Resume
• College Application Resume
• College Freshman Resume
• Consultant Resume
• Construction Project Manager
• Creative Resume Examples
• Data Entry Specialist Resume
• Data Scientist Resume
• Dentist Resume
• DevOps Engineer Resume
• Digital Marketing Manager Resume
• Editor Resume
• Electrical Engineer Resume
• Elon Musk's One-Page Resume
• Engineering Resume
• Esthetician Resume
• Europass CV
• Event Planner Resume
• Executive Assistant Resume
• Federal Resume
• Financial Analyst Resume
• Flight Attendant Resume
• Game Designer Resume 
• Graphic Designer Resume
• High School Resume
• Illustrator Resume 
• Interior Designer Resume
• Internship Resume
• Java Developer Resume
• Military to Civilian Resume
• Marketing Executive Resume
• Minimalistic Resume Examples
• Nanny Resume Example
• Nurse Resume
• Office Assistant Resume
• Office Manager Resume
• Operations Manager Resume
• Paralegal Resume
• Pharmacist Resume
• Photographer Resume
• Program Manager Resume
• Real Estate Agent Resume
• Receptionist Resume
• Recruiter Resume
• Research Assistant Resume
• Restaurant Manager Resume
• Retail Manager Resume
• Richard Branson's One-Page Resume
• Sales Resume
• Sales Associate Resume
• Satya Nadella's One-Page Resume
• Server Resume
• Social Worker Resume
• Software Engineer Resume
• Stay-at-home Mom Resume
• Student Resume
• Student Resume Templates
• Taylor Swift Resume
• Video Editor Resume
• Volunteer Resume
• Waiter/Waitress Resume
• Warehouse Worker Resume
• Web Developer Resume
• Welder Resume

5+ Examples of Resume Templates

Your resume template can play an important role in helping you make a great first impression on the hiring manager. 

Specifically, your industry, work experience, or skills all impact how your resume should look, so make sure to choose the right template when making your resume: 

#1. Traditional Resume

A straightforward format that gives equal importance to all resume sections , emphasizing skills and work experience.

#2. Creative Resume

Land your dream job in the creative industry by using this creative resume template. 

#3. Minimalist Resume

A simple and easy-to-follow resume template. Perfect for more conservative industries which prefer less flashy templates.

#4. Basic Resume

This easy-to-personalize basic resume layout can be ready in under ten minutes through our resume builder .

#5. IT Resume

One of the best resume layouts to choose when you wish to showcase your IT expertise.

#6. Modern Resume 

It can be hard to stand out from the crowd, but this modern resume sample will take care of this.

#7. General Resume

5+ Resume Examples by Career Level

#1. no experience resume .

Are you a student with no experience ? Learn how to write a compelling resume with our guide! 

#2. College Freshman Resume

Learn how to ace your college freshman resume with our comprehensive guide! 

#3. Graduate Resume

Fresh out of college? Write an impactful graduate resume to land your first gig after college. 

#4. Career Change Resume

Going through a career change? Perfect your career change resume to make the transition as smooth as possible. 

#5. Manager Resume

#6. Executive Resume

The Perfect Resume Structure 

Not sure how to structure your resume?

Here’s our tried-and-tested resume layout :

• Choose the right resume format or pick a template. If you’re formatting your resume yourself, follow the reverse-chronological format and make sure to follow the right layout rules. Alternatively, you can use one of our premade resume templates and not have to worry about formatting your resume one bit. 
• Add relevant contact details and make sure they’re mistake-free. You shouldn’t be missing information such as your full name and job title, e-mail address, and where you’re based. Optionally, you can also include some relevant social media profiles, such as your LinkedIn.
• Include a resume summary or a resume objective. Done right, a resume summary will show the hiring manager you’re a relevant candidate from the get-go and have them read the rest of your resume.
• List your work experience, placing special focus on your achievements. Your work experience becomes more meaningful if you include your achievements in your past roles and manage to make them quantifiable.
• Mention your top soft and hard skills. List any skills you have that are relevant to the job you’re applying for in a seperate section. 
• Keep your education section short and concise. Unless you’re an entry-level candidate with little-to-no work experience, keep your education section short and to the point. 
• Leverage optional sections like “Languages,” “Certifications,” or “Hobbies and Interests.” Fill up the rest of your resume space with optional sections that can highlight your strengths and qualifications as a candidate (e.g. foreign languages you speak, certifications you’ve obtained over the years, or your hobbies and interests).

3 Examples of Resume Formats 

#1. reverse chronological resume format.

This resume format highlights your experience and key professional achievements by listing your latest position and acquired skills first. It’s the most popular resume format among recruiters and the one we advise job seekers to use in 99% of cases. 

#2. Functional Resume Format

A functional resume , also known as the skill-based resume, is a resume format that focuses on your professional skill test as opposed to work experience. You’re better off using a functional resume if you’re a recent graduate with no work experience, if you’re switching careers, or if you have a long employment gap . 

#3. Hybrid Resume Format

A combination resume combines the two traditional resume formats: the reverse-chronological resume and the functional resume.

As such, this format places emphasis on a candidate’s skills and work experience. 

Frequently Asked Questions About Resume Examples

1. Are resume examples helpful?

Resume examples are helpful for several reasons. For starters, they can inspire you to write an A+ resume that meets the industry’s requirements. 

Also, resume examples can show you the best practices for listing your work experience and achievements, can guide you through your resume formatting and can help you understand exactly what the end result should look like.

2. How were these resume examples created?

All our resume examples and resume templates were created in full collaboration with industry-leading HR professionals.

This means that they meet all job market requirements, are modern and impactful, and meet recruiters’ standards worldwide.

3. What if I can’t find a resume example for my job?

While we’ve tried to list as many resume examples as possible for different jobs across several industries, it might happen that you can’t find the resume example that perfectly matches your needs. 

If that’s the case, you can check out our guide on how to write a resume , and learn to create an effective resume regardless of industry.

4. What is the best resume format in 2024?

The reverse-chronological format is still the best resume format in 2024. It remains the most widely used and preferred format by employers and recruiters alike. In this format, you list your work experience in reverse chronological format, starting with your most recent position and working backward.

This format showcases our most recent and relevant experience, making it easier for employers to see our career progression and accomplishments. 

5. Are these resume examples free? 

Yes, most of these resume examples can be used for free in the Basic account, while there is also a selection of templates included in the Premium account. All of them though can be tested for free in our editor. 

6. Do you also have cover letter examples?

Yes, we have an entire article dedicated to cover letter examples for different fields and jobs. Not just that, but you can also find tips on how to write a great cover letter and an FAQ section to answer any question you may have. 

7. Should my resume and cover letter match?

Yes, having a cover letter that’s consistent with your resume in terms of style, tone, and content can be a plus for your overall job application. In a nutshell, a matching resume and cover letter can increase your chances of getting an interview by demonstrating your professionalism, attention to detail, and suitability for the role. 

Conclusion 

And that’s a wrap!

We hope the examples and guides provided in this article can help you create a powerful and effective resume that highlights your unique qualifications and experiences. 

Whether you're a recent graduate, a mid-career employee, or a seasoned professional, there are tips and templates here to help you create a compelling resume for any job.

For more career advice, make sure to check out our career blog . 

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How To Write The Perfect Resume Header (With Examples)

• Resume Templates
• General Resume Examples
• Resume Format
• Resume Margins
• Resume Header
• Work Experience On Resume
• Irrelevant Work Experience
• Listing Languages On Resume
• Volunteer Work On Resume
• GPA On Resume
• Resume Title
• Summary Of Qualifications
• Resume Picture
• Python Project On Resume
• Google Docs Resume Template
• Professional Bio On Resume
• Multiple Positions At Same Company
• Relevant Coursework Resume
• Where And How To Put Internships On Your Resume
• Professional Resume Formats

Writing a resume is an art form that can determine whether or not you get the job of your dreams. In addition to clear, pithy content, you want your resume to be eye-catching while still looking professional. This may sound like a tall order, but it is possible to achieve, and it all starts with a great resume header.

To help you with this, we’ve put together this guide on how to write a resume header. We’ve also included some examples of good resume headers that you can use as a reference.

Key Takeaways

Your resume header should include your name and contact information, and you can also add your job title and any relevant links.

Put the same header on both your resume and your cover letter .

Don’t include a picture or image in your header.

How to Write a Resume Header

Resume header tips, final thoughts.

• Sign Up For More Advice and Jobs

First thing’s first — employers only spend about six seconds looking at resumes before they decide to keep them or throw them away, so you should definitely let them know whose it is.

Your name should be the first thing a hiring manager sees, so put it at the very top and make it a slightly larger font size than the body of your resume — you want your name to stand out, but not take up half of the page .

This should be your full, searchable name. No nicknames or abbreviations, unless they are the name that you’ve historically used on social media, as an author byline, or how you’re most recognized in your industry.

Your Location

Commute and relocation are things that employers take into consideration when sifting through candidates, so provide your current address in your resume header to help give employers have an idea of where you are in relation to their office.

You also don’t need to provide a specific street address. Instead, you can simply list your city and state — that’s all the info that the employer really needs anyway.

Hank Rutherford Hill St. Arlen, Texas | (123) 467-7690 | [email protected]

If you’re seeking work outside of your home state , you have the option of leaving out your current address altogether. Instead, make sure to write “Open to relocation” or the names of cities or states that you’re willing to relocate to. That way, your address won’t be able to work against you in your job hunt.

Your Phone Number

In the modern age of email, it’s more likely that you’ll get a request to schedule an interview by email , but many companies utilize phone interviews to start off the interviewing process, and some companies do still prefer to first contact candidates by calling them.

Make sure to provide your most commonly used phone number in your resume header. Because our smartphones are essentially glued to our hands at all times, this means you should probably only list your cell phone and not your ancient, dust-ridden landline.

Make sure that your voicemail is open and ready to receive messages, and go ahead and take two minutes out of your day to set up a professional outgoing message. Even though they’re a hilarious middle school classic, it’s time to let your “Hello? …Hello? I can’t hear you, are you there? Haha, just kidding, it’s my voicemail!” greeting be laid to rest.

You’ll also want to make sure that your phone number is free of any typos — one wrong number could result in a missed opportunity.

Your Email Address

Your email address should show that you’re professional and want to be taken seriously, so you probably want to leave your personal email address [email protected] out of your resume heading.

Email accounts are free, so if you haven’t already, create a new one on a more common platform like Gmail. Make sure it includes some pairing of your first and last name or your initials.

And in case you didn’t already know this aspect of job-hunting etiquette : never use your work email address to search for other jobs. That would be a very bad look.

Your Job Title

You can either use your current job title or your most recent one if you’re currently out of work. If your job title is sort of nebulous, feel free to go with whatever best hits the job listing’s keywords, while remaining truthful.

John Cena Bodyguard | Houston, Texas | (987) 543-1090 | [email protected]

It’s also a good idea to include certifications or licenses alongside your job title.

Jean White Oncology Nurse, CNA | Tampa, Florida | (543) 213-5544 | [email protected]

If you want to make your resume header more of a resume headline, you can also opt to include your years of experience in the header.

Joe Gray Marketing Director with 10+ years experience | Topeka, Kansas | (333) 2222-9988 | [email protected]

Any Relevant Links or Social Media Accounts

For most candidates, these four elements are all that’s needed for a resume header. On the other hand, some jobs require a link to an online portfolio or other examples of previous work, or an industry-related blog or website.

Simply throw the link to your work in with the rest of the information provided in your header, or clearly label it by writing something like “ Portfolio : www.WebsiteName.com”

If you feel that a link to your social media profile could further your standing as a candidate, go ahead and include it. This doesn’t mean you should throw in a link to your hilarious Twitter profile, but if you do decide to include your Twitter handle, make sure to keep it PG and professional.

The best social media platform to include, however, is LinkedIn. Make sure to personalize your LinkedIn URL, with something like www.linkedin.com/in/FirstNameLastName. Don’t bother providing a link to your LinkedIn if your profile is only partially completed or won’t help your chances of landing the job.

Keep these four resume header tips in mind:

Make your name the biggest item. Your name should stand out more than anything else on the page, and the easiest way to do that is to make the font size larger than the rest of your resume. Some people also opt for a fully capitalized or bolded name. That’s a stylistic choice we leave to you.

Never put your header in a header. That’s straightforward, right? Seriously, though, don’t put your resume header into an actual header on Microsoft Word or Google Docs or whatever word processing software you’re using.

Some applicant tracking systems (ATS) won’t be able to parse information that’s in the headers or footers of a document, meaning the robot will throw out your resume before a hiring manager even looks at it.

That would be a very silly reason to miss out on a job opportunity. Instead, just center-align your header without changing any other formatting. ATS will be able to read this information just fine.

Don’t include a picture. Unless you’re applying for an acting or modeling gig, the employer doesn’t need to know what you look like. In fact, some employers will toss these resumes out immediately because they fear being accused of bias — it’s not worth the legal risk to even consider you as a candidate.

If you’re applying for a job outside of the U.S. , research the customs for that specific country. Some places, especially in Asia, do prefer that you include a photo in your resume header.

Repeat your header on page two. If you’re submitting a two-page resume (which we don’t recommend for 98% of job seekers), make sure that you include the same exact header on both pages.

That way, the hiring manager can always look to the top of the page and get a reminder of who you are. Plus, if you’re bringing physical copies to an interview , it makes it easier for the interviewer to organize your documents.

Proofread your header. It can be surprisingly easy to mistype your personal information and not realize it. Unfortunately, a small error like this could cost you an interview if hiring managers can’t get ahold of you because they don’t have your correct phone number.

To keep this from happening, read your entire header out loud letter by letter and number by number. Better yet, have someone else look at it to make sure it’s right. By taking the time to complete this small step, you can be sure that you’ve given hiring managers all the information they need to contact you.

Keep it simple. Less is more in graphic design, and resume headers are no different. Don’t go crazy with fonts or colors, as loud headers can come across as unprofessional or look like you’re compensating for a weak resume.

Make your header visually pleasing, but make sure it allows the body of your resume to do the talking.

Your resume heading is the first thing that employers are going to see, you want to make sure that it’s informative, professional, and visually appealing.

Make sure not to go overboard with fonts, bold or italics, and as always — make sure to proofread. It would be super unfortunate if the first thing an employer noticed about you is that you don’t even know how to spell your own name.

Now, it’s time to write the rest of your resume!

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Maddie Lloyd was a writer for the Zippia Advice blog focused on researching tips for interview, resume, and cover letter preparation. She's currently a graduate student at North Carolina State University's department of English concentrating in Film and Media Studies.

Don Pippin is an executive and HR leader for Fortune 50 and 500 companies and startups. In 2008, Don launched area|Talent with a focus on helping clients identify their brand. As a Certified Professional Resume Writer, Certified Digital Career Strategist, and Certified Personal Branding Strategist, Don guides clients through career transitions.

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Resume Header: What to Include, What to Skip, & How to Format It

• Klara Cervenanska , 
• Updated October 20, 2023 10 min read

A resume header is more than just your name and contact details . Depending on your career path, there's a lot more that can (and should) be included in this section.

While the principle of 'less is more' often rings true, you also don't want to leave out a crucial detail a recruiter might hope to find.

Your header serves as a snapshot of your identity , providing immediate access to your essential personal and contact information, and sometimes, it even showcases your picture.

Wondering what makes a good header for a resume? Searching for some stellar resume header examples? Or perhaps you are looking for a tool to format the resume header for you? You're in the right spot.

In this guide, we'll walk you through crafting a header for your resume that strikes the perfect balance between essential info and simplicity.

Table of Contents

Click on a section to skip

What is a resume header and why do you need it?

What to include in a resume header , resume header examples, how to create a resume header, final formatting tips for resume header, key takeaways: resume header.

The resume header is a section right at the top of your resume , which is usually graphically separated from the main content of the resume. It's the first of the resume sections , and it's usually referred to as the contact information section (rather than " resume header "). 

It’s the space where you should include key information like:

Plus, there are additional things you can add, like your photo, portfolio URL, or social media profiles. But we'll get to that.

And the purpose of the resume header?

It’s simple: recruiters receive countless job applications, making it impractical to recall (and store) every applicant's contact information. 

That's why it's crucial to have this key information prominently displayed on the most vital document: the resume.

So, by providing all the necessary information directly on your resume, recruiters will have no trouble getting in touch with you and invite you for an interview.

Got a LinkedIn profile but no resume?

There's no need to write a resume from scratch. Convert your LinkedIn profile into a resume in seconds.

When crafting the perfect resume header, it's essential to differentiate between the non-negotiables and the optional additions.

Some elements are universally expected in every resume header, while others can be tailored based on the job, industry, or your personal preference. 

Knowing what to include (and when) can make all the difference in making a lasting impression.

• Name and surname

Your name is the cornerstone of your resume header. Make sure it stands out by using a slightly larger or bold font.

Phone number

Including a phone number is crucial for potential employers or recruiters to reach out. If you're applying internationally, remember to add the correct country prefix .

This is a number code that you must add at the beginning of a phone number when dialing from abroad. It represents each country and ensures that the number can be dialed from anywhere in the world. 

Here are examples of country prefixes :

• List of all country prefixes

Not using the correct country prefix when dialing internationally may cause the call to fail.

Email address

Your email is another primary method of communication. Opt for a professional-looking email address ; that goofy one from your teenage years might not give the best impression.

Moreover, it's wise not to use your current work email, as its accessibility could change.

Physical address

Including your address on a resume isn't a strict requirement anymore. Why?

Your physical address can offer insights. Employers might have a preference for local candidates or send correspondence through the mail. However, including your home address can also lead to potential biases or discrimination.

To avoid potential biases or discrimination, consider listing just the city and state and naming it "location" rather than "home address." For example:

• Location: Brussels, Belgium.

A full address with a zip code can sometimes be too revealing.

LinkedIn profile

In the digital age, a LinkedIn profile has become almost as standard as a phone number.

When listing your LinkedIn on a resume, here are some tips to keep in mind:

• Customize your LinkedIn URL to eliminate the random letters and numbers. To do this, navigate to LinkedIn > Me > View Profile > Public profile & URL (on the right pane) > Edit your custom URL .
• Use the condensed version of your LinkedIn URL when adding to your resume by omitting the https://
• Alternatively , you can list only your LinkedIn name and hyperlink it. But if you're aiming for a position in a large corporation and have intel that they utilize an ATS, opt for the concise LinkedIn URL since ATS systems remove hyperlinks.

Ensure your profile is updated and reflects your current professional status.

Other social media (optional)

Including social media in your resume can, in many cases, be advantageous and even required.

Here's a simple guide on when to add (and when not to add) social media to your resume:

• For everyone: And especially those in the corporate world, always include LinkedIn. It's like an online resume by itself.
• For small companies or startups: Besides LinkedIn, you can add other socials if they show off your personality (in a professional light).
• For jobs anchored in social media : If you're a social media manager or something similar, add any profiles where you've done work-related stuff. Make sure they look professional.
• For creative jobs: Share where your work is. For example, a coder might add their GitHub, and a video creator could add their YouTube link.

The key? Only add profiles that make you look good and fit the job you're applying for. We listed the most popular ones in the picture below:

Portfolio (optional)

Having a portfolio can be a game-changer, especially if you're in a creative field. It's your visual CV, showing off your skills and accomplishments in real life.

How to include your portfolio on your resume:

• URL Method: List the full web address where your portfolio resides. Example: www.myportfolio.com/janedoe in the contact information section.
• Name & Hyperlink: Simply write "Portfolio" and hyperlink it to your portfolio page. This looks cleaner, but remember, some systems might remove the hyperlink.

Always ensure your portfolio is updated, professional, and showcases only your best work.

Professional acronyms (optional)

Your credentials and acronyms are proof of your skills, hard work, and dedication. These can be:

• Certifications: For instance, CPA (Certified Public Accountant) or PMP (Project Management Professional).
• Educational Titles: Such as MBA (Master of Business Administration) or PhD (Doctor of Philosophy).

Including these not only vouches for your qualifications but also sets you apart from other applicants. However, ensure these are relevant to the position you're aiming for and are widely recognized in the industry.

Middle name (optional)

Incorporating your middle name can be a personal preference. Reasons to consider it:

• Clarification: If your first and last names are common, a middle name can help distinguish you.
• Professional Identity: Some may feel their full name conveys more gravitas or formality.
• Consistency: If other professional documents, like publications or certifications, include your middle name, it makes sense to maintain that uniformity in your resume.

However you choose to represent your name, the key is to stay consistent across all professional touchpoints.

Picture (optional)

Including a photo in your resume is a topic of debate, but here's a quick breakdown:

• Cultural norms: In some parts of the world, adding a photo is standard. This includes Asia, Africa, Latin America, and a big part of Europe. However, applicants in English-speaking countries shouldn’t include a resume picture, unless required.
• Industry-Specific: For roles in entertainment or modeling, photos are often expected.
• Bias Concerns: A picture could introduce (un)conscious bias. If unsure, it might be best to omit.

If you decide to add one, ensure it's a professional, high-quality shot. Remember, it’s a representation of your personal brand, so make it count!

To maximize compatibility with Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), it’s wise to stick with straightforward titles for the resume header. “Personal Information” or “Contact Information” are time-tested choices. Keep quirky titles like “Something about me” off the table.

There are countless ways to format a resume header. As the saying goes, "a picture is worth a thousand words."

Instead of delving into heaps of descriptions, let's cut to the chase and provide some visual inspiration.

Note: The following resumes (including the resume headers) were created using Kickresume's resume builder .

Traditional resume header

Ideal for those eyeing corporate roles. This header radiates professionalism and suits environments that value tradition and formality:

Creative resume header

Tailored for design-centric roles. Here, creativity meets functionality, allowing your unique personality to shine through while maintaining clarity:

Minimalistic resume header

For those who love all things clean and clutter-free. This style emphasizes a no-fuss approach, focusing solely on the essentials:

Resume header with picture

A more personal touch, commonly used in certain industries and regions. If opting for this, ensure the photo is a professional, high-quality shot that aligns with the job's nature and cultural norms.

Here's an example:

Crafting a polished resume header doesn't have to be a Herculean task. With the right tools at your fingertips, you can design a resume header that stands out.

Let's walk you through two common tools:

• Kickresume (resume builder). This platform offers 40+ pre-designed templates where the resume header is already there. You simply select a template that aligns with your desired style and input your details in the designated areas. When logged in, on the dashboard scroll down to  Your Documents  and click on  Create New.
• Google Docs (online text editor). The good thing is that if you have a Google account, you can access Google Docs immediately. When in Google Docs, in the selection banner at the top, select Resume . Now you can edit this pre-defined template. However, you only get one template to play with.

Now that you've created your header, let's ensure it's polished to perfection. The right formatting can make your header pop and leave a lasting impression on recruiters. Here are some essential tips to guarantee your header shines:

• Use of color. A dash of color can differentiate you from the crowd. But remember, subtlety is the key. Choose a hue that's professional and complements your resume's overall design.
• Utilizing whitespace. Whitespace isn’t wasted space. It ensures your header doesn’t look cramped and lets each element breathe, enhancing readability.
• Matching header style with the rest of the resume. Cohesiveness is essential. If you've opted for a modern header, ensure the rest of your resume mirrors that vibe. Similarly, a traditional header should be paired with a classic resume layout.
• Consistent font usage. Stick to 1 or 2 fonts for the entire resume. This ensures readability and presents a harmonized look.
• Opt for a clear hierarchy. Your name should be the most prominent, followed by other details in decreasing order of importance. This guides the recruiter's eye naturally through the header.
• Keep it updated. Regularly review your header. Ensure contact information is current, and consider freshening up the design if it feels dated.

With these tips in mind, your resume header will not only look professional but will also command the right kind of attention.

The resume header is an indispensable section of every application, so getting it right is paramount for making a strong first impression.

Let's recap the essentials and the options you have to make yours stand out:

Must-include:

• Phone number (with correct country prefix)
• Professional email
• LinkedIn URL
• Address (at least state and city)

Consider including:

• Professional acronyms and titles
• Middle name
• Other relevant social media links
• Portfolio or personal website URL
• Picture (especially if relevant to the job or culturally customary)

Klara graduated from the University of St Andrews in Scotland. After having written resumes for many of her fellow students, she began writing full-time for Kickresume. Klara is our go-to person for all things related to student or 'no experience resumes'. At the same time, she has written some of the most popular resume advice articles on this blog. Her pieces were featured in multiple CNBC articles. When she's not writing, you'll probably find her chasing dogs or people-watching while sipping on a cup of coffee.

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How to Write a Resume Header with 30 Examples

• POSTED ON December 15, 2021
• by Esther Bilbao

You only have six to seven seconds to impress the recruiters with your resume. If you don’t pass this test, you likely won’t receive an invitation to interview. This is why you should have a properly-formatted resume with a well-written resume header.

Why Write a Header for Your Resume?

A resume header (also called “resume headline”) is an effective way to grab the attention of hiring managers. Even if it’s only a small part of your resume, it doesn’t mean that you should only put less effort or overlook it. After all, it’s the first thing that hiring managers see when they look at your resume.

We all know that you need to tailor your resume for every job that you’re applying for . The same goes for resume headlines . You need to write it in a way that will highlight your qualifications and show that you’re the best candidate for the position.

How To Format a Resume Header

The header is found at the top of your resume. It has your name, job title, contact information, and professional profile. The layout varies depending on how you want to position yourself, but always remember to keep it professional—not sloppy.

• Set one-inch margins on all sides and go for a 1.15 line spacing. You can use double line spacing after subheadings.
• Choose a font that looks clean and easy to read with a 10-12 font size. You can use Sans Serif, Arial, Bookman Old Style, Calibri, Cambria, Helvetica, Verdana, Tahoma, Garamond, Georgia, or Times New Roman.
• Place your header in the topmost part of your resume. It can either be centered or left-aligned.

Type your name in bigger fonts because it is the most important information in your header. Use the same name across all your online profiles to appear professional. For example, if you use “Matthew” in your resume, don’t use your shortened name “Matt” in your LinkedIn and portfolio websites.

Among the most common mistakes that applicants make with their resume headlines is skipping the work title which should be typed in a smaller font under your name. You can use this part to your advantage, especially if your current work title is related or the same as your target position. It will communicate to hiring managers that you’re a good fit for the job.

Most applicants include their complete address in the header. This is another common mistake. Hiring managers don’t need to know exactly where you live. They only need to know your city, state, and zip code.

Phone Number

Type your phone number below your address. If you’re currently employed, don’t use your work phone number. List the personal contact number that you use the most.

Email Address

Your email address is the most fundamental part of your online identity and it’s also the most common form of communication used by hiring managers nowadays. Make sure to use a professional username, not the one that you created several years ago when you were still in high school. Sign up for an account with a username that includes your first and last name. Example, [email protected] or [email protected] . 

LinkedIn Profile

Besides proving that you’re tech savvy, having a LinkedIn profile gives hiring managers an opportunity to know more about you and what people think of you as a professional. But before you add the profile link to your resume header, customize the URL to include your first and last name. Example, https://linkedin.com/in/matthewsmith or https://linkedin.com/in/smithmatthew . 

Professional Profile

A professional profile is a summary of your qualifications as an applicant. It can be a series of sentences or short paragraphs, but it can also be a set of bullet points (preferably with three items in the list) that outlines your qualifications.

An effective profile provides an overview of your achievements, experience, goals, and skills. The best way to do this is to use numerical data such as performance metrics. It gives hiring managers a clear idea of the specific results that you can deliver.

Think of it as an elevator speech. You should articulate who you are and what makes you great in what you do in a clear and concise manner.

Professional Profile Guidelines

• You don’t need to label your professional profile. But if you want to, you can use the following as its title: “Career Profile”, “Professional Summary”, “Summary of Qualifications”, “Career Highlights”, or “Professional Profile.”
• Place it on top of your resume, below your name, address, and contact information.
• Include keywords from the job post.
• Experience in…
• Fully knowledgeable in…
• Responsible for…
• Established…

Recommended courses for you

Professional Profile Examples for Your Resume Header

• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) with 10+ years of experience in public accounting.
• Detail-driven accounts payable specialist with 7+ years of experience establishing best accounting practices to scale tech companies.
• Self-sufficient and highly-trained marketing manager with 12+ years of multi-channel marketing experience.
• Accomplished office manager with extensive experience in developing procedures and providing procedures and providing support to the CEO and other C-level executives for 5+ years.
• Solutions-driven project manager with 5+ years of experience in managing software development projects.
• Dedicated and client-oriented customer service specialist with 7+ years of experience in providing tech and after sales support.
• Reliable and detail-oriented support specialist. Skilled at solving any potential customer issues that arise. Received an average 92% customer satisfaction rating to date.
• Results-oriented data analyst with a focus on helping businesses grow. 6+ years of experience in data mining and data survey creation.
• Registered nurse with 8 years of experience working in a fast-paced environment and providing high quality patient care.
• Highly creative graphic designer with 5+ years of experience in website design and multimedia.
• Productive and efficient retail associate with experience providing customers with a meaningful and memorable experience.
• Professional and detail-oriented receptionist with 7 years of experience assisting employees at the front office of a Fortune 500 IT company.
• Engaged and motivated teaching professional with strong educational experience of complex subjects for high school students.
• Data-driven and creative SEM professional with 4+ years of experience on Google Analytics, Adwords and Display Ads.
• Creative copywriter with 6+ years of experience in improving landing page conversions by up to 25-30%.

• Results-oriented business analyst with 10 years of experience fulfilling processes for customer service representatives.
• Implemented analysis for business optimization projects boosting the revenue by 46% and direct labor costs by $3.4 million.
• Positive and friendly sales associate with 4+ years of experience in the IT industry. Increased overall sales by 45% in a single year and named as “Salesperson of the Year” for three consecutive years.
• Trustworthy and dedicated cashier with 7+ years of experience. Scored a 99.3% rating on customer happiness surveys.
• Motivated web developer with a strong background in developing high-quality applications for different clients. With 7+ years of industry experience including debugging and programming. Received 87%+ UX scores on every web application created.
• Physical therapist with 5+ years specialized expertise in overall orthopedic rehabilitation. Adept in examining patients’ needs in developing therapy plans.
• Licensed general dental hygienist with 6+ years experience assessing patients’ oral health and supporting fellow dental staff. Increased client satisfaction by 60% and grew revenue by 50% in 2 years.
• A highly talented and self-motivated virtual assistant with 2+ years experience in record-keeping and performing various personal assistance tasks. Providing extreme confidentiality and exceptional office support to ensure tasks are completed on time.
• People-oriented HR manager with 5+ years in building and maintaining relationships, and managing employees across all levels of an organization.
• Accomplished and results-oriented financial analyst with 6+ proven success in financial reporting and project management. Managed 3 different projects with a budget over $2000,000. MBA in Finance.
• Highly accurate data entry clerk with 16,000 KPH 10-key typing speed and 5 years experience in data entry, customer care, and office management. Excellent knowledge of database management tools and data entry technologies.
• Motivated software engineer with 11+ years of industry experience. Spearheaded developing strategies for large engineering teams to achieve concrete goals on a strict deadline.
• Hardworking and certified medical assistant with 8+ years of experience in healthcare services, who thrives in providing exceptional patient care in a changing and fast-paced environment.
• Established senior UX designer with 8+ years experience delivering enjoyable web and mobile products for the industry.
• Conversion-oriented and creative social media marketing manager with 5+ years experience in developing and executing proactive campaigns. Helped increase the client’s Facebook conversion rate by 33% and increased customer retention by 15%.

An average corporate job opening attracts 250 resumes . This means, you have a lot of competition and a generic resume header will not help you stand out.

There are many templates available online and although you can use one of them, the disadvantage is that most hiring managers can easily spot a copy-and-paste header from a mile away.

By understanding how to format a resume header, you’ll be able to write an effective one for yourself, allowing hiring managers to find essential information easily in your application and demonstrating to them that you put a lot of effort into your application.

Learn how to create an effective resume . Sign up for career development courses at Skill Success!

Esther Bilbao

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Resume header: Examples, instructions and tips to getting the top of your CV right

Think about the resume format

Resume header examples.

You’re aware of the expression “Last but not least,” but let’s talk about another issue, “First things first.” Let’s discuss the mission-critical header that needs to go at the very top of your resume. 

It’s the easiest part to write because you already have this information memorized. But it’s the most challenging part to design, and job seekers often make basic blunders when creating their resume headers.

This article will cover:

What is a resume header?

Why do you need a resume header, how do you write a resume header, how do you design a good resume header.

What should you leave out of the resume header?

A resume header is a thoughtfully designed section at the top of a resume that contains a job applicant’s name and contact info, plus sometimes a few other things that we’ll discuss below. 

A header is similar to what used to be called a “letterhead,” where the sender of a business letter has pre-printed info at the top identifying the company’s name and contact info. In addition to providing critical information on how to reach you, a good header projects professionalism and competence. 

A resume header keeps your most important contact details at the hiring manager’s fingertips should they want to set up an interview with you.

Creating a resume without a header would be like printing a blank business card: Nobody would know who you are or how to reach you. 

In your header, you have the freedom to make creative choices about fonts , font sizes, layout, icons and use of color. With a well-designed header, your resume will look professional. This makes a positive first visual impression, and that’s important. Your resume needs to look as good as it reads.

Keep your resume header "on brand"

Your header also gives you a sort of “visual ID,” a design signature that helps identify you in the recipient’s mind. Your resume header and your cover letter should be similar if not identical, making it clear that these documents were designed to go together. 

If a hiring manager prints out 10 resumes and 10 cover letters and then drops them all on the floor, it should be easy to match up your resume and cover letter because it’s obvious at a glance that they’re a “matching set.”

To write a resume header, you’ll need at least three things:

Include your first and last name as standard. You don't need to include your middle name. If you tend to go by a nickname (even in the workplace), you may want to use that instead.

• Your phone number

Make sure you list a phone number where you can easily be contacted. You should also ensure that this phone has a SFW answering message, too.

• A professional address

You want to make it as easy as possible for the hiring manager to contact you. Most of the time, this will be via email. Use a professional email address that is easy to understand. For example, you may include one that has your first and last name in the address. 

• Your occupation

This is sometimes overlooked, but whether you’re a nurse practitioner or a circus clown, you should include a very short description of your occupation below your name. If you have noteworthy certifications or degrees in your field (such as CNA, CPA or the like), consider including those as well.

• Your location

It used to be the case that you'd include your mailing address in your resume header. However, nowadays it’s considered somewhat optional. The logic goes that modern employers aren’t going to snail-mail you a letter in response. 

However, you still need to let the employer know where you're based. For that reason, you should include your city and state . You can also mention whether you are willing to relocate for the right role. Simply include "Willing to Relocate" in your resume header.

• Links to websites that display your professional cred in your field

LinkedIn pages can be a good option, as they usually focus on professional achievements, but make sure your profile is updated and optimized for job-search purposes. Your Facebook, Instagram and Twitter pages may or may not be a good idea to include, depending on whether they focus on your professional life or are too personal. 

But if you’re an artist , photographer or the like with a personal website showcasing your portfolio, that’s absolutely worth including. Before providing links to any websites, review them to make sure they’re updated and professional and don’t contain any material that might be a deal breaker.

If in doubt, go without. Headshots on resumes are quite common in countries outside North America, but they are often frowned on in the U.S. The reason is that laws prevent employers from making hiring decisions based on race, gender or age, and photos can reveal all of the above. But if you’re an actor or model , where how you look could play a legitimate role in a hiring decision, those considerations generally go out the window.

Your resume may be the most important page you write in your life. Follow our top 20 resume writing tips to make yours a success.

A U.S. Supreme Court justice once wrote that obscenity is hard to define, but “I know it when I see it.” And the same could be said of good resume header design. 

Where you include the resume header may well depend on the resume format . The layout that you use may determine how much space you have for this section. Be sure to consider this when it comes to designing your upcoming application.

Spend some time scrolling through the hundreds of resume templates and resume examples at Resume.io, and you’ll see lots of resume headers. 

You don’t have to love them all, but if you see one you really like, click on it and follow the steps to making it your own using our easy builder tool .

Resume headers can be designed horizontally, with all the info at the top of the page, like this one:

Headers can also put the name and occupation at the top and contact info in a well ( margin ) on the left. The remaining space in the well can be used to list job-related skills:

Contact info can also be placed in a well on the right:

You can also opt for a photo and an accent color:

Feel free to design your own header if you know what you’re doing. But the easiest way to get a professional header to put on your resume is to find one that’s already designed for you. 

A resume headline can be your ticket to the interview you desire. But what exactly is a resume headline and how do you best take advantage of it? This blog will show you everything you need to know.

Copyable resume header examples

Looking for some inspiration? You've come to the right place! Take a look at our copyable resume headers for a selection of different occupations.

Maria Smith 

PR Executive

New York, NY

01882 223 123

[email protected]

Daniel Simons

Alexander City, Alabama

078282 1828 2882

Lorraine Gray 

Admin Executive

Phenix City, Alabama

019282 2838 282

San Francisco, California 

01928 383 2883

What about a 2-page resume header?

In most cases, we recommend that a resume be one page only. However, there are cases where a two-page resume is appropriate, especially for those with long careers. So the question comes up: Should you put a header on both pages?

Opinions are divided on this. Some experts say you should include a header on the second page, making it doubly easy for a recruiter to find your contact info. Other experts say this is a silly idea – you already provided all this info, and you should use the space for new information.

If you do choose to repeat your header on a second page, it should be very similar if not identical to the header on the first page.  

When considering what to leave out of the resume header, please note that it isn’t necessary to put the word “RESUME” at the top of the page. Hiring managers will know they’re looking at a resume.

Do not confuse a resume with a biodata , which is a document used in India, Pakistan and other South Asian countries as a job application document – and even for matrimonial purposes in countries where arranged marriages are common. A biodata will often include information that doesn’t belong in a resume, including:

• Age or date of birth
• Race or ethnicity
• Nationality
• Marital status

Job applicants often have questions about the differences between a resume and a CV (curriculum vitae). Usually, these mean the exact same thing – “resume” is simply the term commonly used in the U.S. and Canada, while “CV” is the most common term in other English-speaking countries. However, there is a big difference between an ordinary resume/CV and an “ academic CV ,” which is used in academic settings and is usually much longer. To understand the distinctions, see our article “ Resume vs. curriculum vitae (CV): What’s the difference? ”

Also, there are certain differences between standards for CV/resume preparation in North America and other countries. As noted above, resumes in the U.S. should not contain information about age, gender, race, marital status (or, usually, photos) but it’s more common to include these in resumes/CVs in other countries. Read more about this in our blog “ What does CV stand for? ”

One other important note: Microsoft Word allows you to put information like chapter titles and page numbers in what it calls “headers” and “footers.” But you should never put your resume header in what Word calls a header, or it may be invisible to Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) that employers use to scan resumes.

When you have moved up the career ladder at a previous employer, you should be proud to showcase it on a resume. But how can you display multiple positions for the same company?

Key takeaways:

• A resume header is the section generally found at the top of the resume that contains the applicant’s name and contact information
• A good header should be easy to read and visually attractive
• Matching cover letter and resume headers help you create a “personal brand” for your application
• In North America, a headshot or information about marriage status, race, nationality or religion should never be found on a resume, due to laws about discrimintation in hiring.