A resume headline (also termed as a resume title) is a brief phrase that mentions your value as a candidate. Situated at the top of your resume under your name and contact information, a headline permits a recruiter to see quickly and concisely what makes you the right person for the job.

Resume headlines are perfect for candidates with lots of experience. A headline permits you to condense your skills and work experience into a brief phrase that will quickly impress the hiring manager.

Although, less experienced applicants can also use headlines to highlight personal attributes and skills.

Read below for tips on writing a resume headline, as well as resume headline examples.

Tips for Writing a Resume Headline

Keep it concise. A resume headline should be one brief phrase; it should not even be a complete sentence. The aim is to concisely state your value as an applicant. Anything longer than a phrase defeats the intention of a headline.

Capitalize your headline. Capitalize the words in your headline so that it appears like a title to your resume. This is a useful way to make your headline stand out.

Use keywords. Use keywords that indicate your skills and/or experiences as related to the job listing. Using words straightly from the listing will demonstrate that you are a good fit for the job. If possible, use the job title in your headline.

Write a new headline for each job. While it will be a little extra work, be certain to create a new headline for each job application.

After reading the job listing, make a list of your skills, experience, and attributes that make you a strong candidate. Then incorporate these into your headline.

Ignore clichés. Because you need your headline to make you stand out as a strong candidate, ignore clichés that employers probably see on every resume.

Phrases like “hard worker” and “good communication skills” are common on resumes, and do not give much information on what makes you unique. By mentioning your experience and skills, and using keywords, you’ll individualize your headline and impress the hiring manager.

Resume Headlines Instances

A few instances of good resume headlines will help you when coming up with your own. Notice how these are brief and attention grabbing, much like a catchy title to an article that makes you want to read on.

• Goal-Oriented Senior Accountant with Five Years of Accounting Experience
• Successful Manager of Dozens of Online Marketing Campaigns
• Cook with Extensive Fine Dining Experience
• Award-Winning Editor Skilled in Web Design
• Detail-Oriented History Student with Curatorial Experience
• Army Veteran Awarded for Determination and Strong Work Ethic
• Bilingual Nursing Graduate with Experience in Rural Health Care
• Honor-Roll Student with Tutoring Experience in Numerous Subjects

Resume Headlines vs. Resume Profiles

Resume headlines are similar to resume profiles in that both give a brief summary of an applicant’s qualifications. Although, a resume headline is one brief phrase, whereas a resume profile is a small paragraph or series of bulleted points.

A profile is generally not capitalized like a profile. For these reasons, headlines are even more attention grabbing than profiles.

Some candidates might include both a headline and a resume profile. They may include a headline to pursue the reader, and then a profile to provide further information.

Remember that resume profiles are different than resume aims. In an objective, you write about the position you are seeking, not your skills.

Examples of Resume Headlines with Resume Profiles

Detail-Oriented Worker with Years of Administrative Experience

• Victoriously implemented innovative scheduling system to more efficiently organize meetings and travel schedules.
• Award-winning customer service skills.
• Fluent in Spanish.

IT Professional with Ten Years of Experience in Software Support

• Skilled at operating in a wide range of platforms.

• Experience training interns and new hires in various software.
• Capable of explaining complex software issues in easy-to-understand terms.

Sales Executive with Experience in Insurance and Healthcare Management
Created and implemented sales strategies to achieve 35 percent revenue growth per year. Highly effective management skills; able to motivate sales force and design incentive programs to achieve short- and long-term sales goals.