The Ultimate Guide For Writing Resume Headline Examples

As a job seeker, the only chance you have to capture the attention of a recruiter is through your resume. This is why you should spend time researching and learning how to write a good resume. Every little detail you add should be clear and on point, and this applies to the resume headline as well. Below I have marked down the process of writing quality resume headlines as well as listing 33+ resume headline examples.

Sadly, most people spend a chunk of time writing award-winning resume summaries and skill sections, but very little time on the headline. They forget that the headline is what hiring managers see first. So this short sentence should not only make a good first impression but a lasting impression.

In the following article, you’ll find a detailed guide on how to write a memorable resume headline. You’ll also find dozens of resume headline examples to help you get started. If you are looking for a comprehensive guide to creating a resume check out my recent post: How to Write a Resume for Your Ideal Job.

What Is a Resume Headline?

I’ll start with the basics: a headline is a one-liner that explains why you’re the ideal candidate for a particular position. It’s also known as the resume title.

Even though it’s just one line, a headline can be very impactful. When written well, it piques the hiring manager’s interest so much that it pushes them to read the rest of your resume.

How to Write a Resume Headline

So how does one write a resume headline? Well, there aren’t any hard and fast rules for this. Generally, though, a good resume headline should follow this format:

Job title + Years of experience + One skill, task or grand achievement

Looks simple enough, right? Well, there are a couple more points you should keep in mind when writing a headline for resume. Here are five tips to help you write effective resume headlines:

Incorporate specific keywords and phrases

A resume title is one of the best places to incorporate keywords naturally.

Adding these relevant keywords does two things. First off, it makes your resume stand out. Secondly, it allows your resume to rank highly on an applicant tracking system.

To figure out what keywords to use, study the job description keenly. Pay attention to the specific phrases or adjectives used in the job posting to describe the ideal candidate.

While you’re at it, go through the job requirements as well. Are there any certifications, licenses, hard skills or soft skills being asked for? If there are, then add them to the headline for your resume if you qualify.

Also crucial to note is that resume headlines should be customized for every job. Contrary to what job seekers do, you shouldn’t use one resume title for every job you apply to. This is because each job description will have a unique set of keywords and phrases.

Avoid clichés

Nearly every resume will have adjectives like “hardworking”, “innovative”, “team player”, or “detail-oriented”. Even though you possess these skills, these aren’t the only adjectives you can use to create a strong resume headline.

Recruiters have encountered these overused words so many times that they’ll often ignore resumes that include them. Instead, use unique adjectives like “robust”, “imaginative”, and “instrumental”. They’re equally powerful but unique.

Leverage Statistics

Another tip that helps you write a great resume is demonstrating your achievements.

Instead of telling the hiring manager what an excellent project manager you are, illustrate your expertise using statistics. Here’s a resume headline example that demonstrates this:

• Seasoned Website Content Writer with an Average Click-Through Rate of 3%+

Even highlighting your years of experience is enough to grab the reader’s attention and show how much value you’ll bring to the job.

Make the Resume Title Stand Out

Apart from your name and job title, a resume headline should be among the first things that the hiring manager sees. There are a few things you can do to make this section stand out.

For one, place it at the top of your resume summary. It should be the first line after your name and contact information.

Next, consider writing the resume headline in title case. Title case entails capitalizing all essential words like nouns, verbs, adverbs and adjectives. Any minor words are then written in lowercase. Minor words are three letters long, and they’re either prepositions or articles.

Keep it Brief

If you want to create an effective resume headline that draws the hiring manager’s attention, avoid using too many words. This is not like a resume summary, where you write a few sentences to showcase your most relevant skills and achievements.

Rather, it’s a short statement – often just one line long – introducing the hiring manager to your professional background. It’s a quick answer to the questions, “what do you do currently?” and “why are you the perfect candidate for a given position?”

Why You Should Add a Resume Headline

Is adding a headline on a resume all that important? Is it worth spending time finding the perfect resume headline? The answer to both questions is a resounding yes. Here’s why:

• Gives context to your resume – a headline pinpoints your profession instantly. So even when the hiring managers go through your resume, they have a rough idea of what you do.
• As you will see in the resume headline examples section it showcases your strengths – another reason why I consider a resume headline important is that it reveals your biggest achievements. This, in turn, helps you establish credibility right off the bat.
• Makes your resume unique – many job seekers forget to include a resume title. So adding a great resume headline makes you stand out from the pack.

Examples of Resume Headlines

As explained earlier in the article, it’s important to customize a resume headline for every job. On that note, here are a few examples of resume headlines. I have classified them into categories based on the line of work:

Sales

1. Personable Sales Representative Awarded the “Most Impressive Achievements” Trophy for Exceeding Sales Target Volume
2. Sales Associate Who Devised a Customer Management System Leading to 20% Increase in Customer Retention
3. Real Estate Broker Who Sold 10 Homes for $20,000 More, Over their Initial Value
4. Insurance Agent Fostered Strong Customer Relationships Boosting Referral Business by 15%
5. Sales Representative Knowledgeable in Lead Generation and Nurturing

Engineering & Software Development

1. Expert Software Engineer With Background in Python and C++
2. Mobile App Developer with 80+ Apps Featured in Google Play
3. Structural Engineering Student with 1 Year Internship Experience in Top Engineering Firm
4. Mechanical Engineer Who Increased Company’s Production Output by 20%
5. Software Developer with Extensive Experience in Creating E-Commerce Sites

Digital Marketing

1. Crafting High-Quality Sales Copy for your Coaching Business that will Bring 50 Leads Each Week
2. Digital Marketer Who Spearheaded 3 Online Marketing Campaigns, Increasing Website Visitors by 10,000 monthly views
3. Marketing Analyst Knowledgeable in Web Analytics and CRM
4. Marketing Assistant Who Boosted Sales in the Kitchen Appliance Category from $10K to $50K Within Two Months
5. Marketing Manager Who Directed the Release of 5 New Product Lines, Boosting the Company’s Revenue by 25% in 2022

Arts

1. Graphic Artist Who Designed Graphics, Boosting Social Media Engagement by 25%
2. Expert Graphic Designer Who Spearheaded a Designs Process That Led to 7x Conversion Rate
3. Upcoming Artist With Works Featured in the 2022 Manchester Art Exhibition
4. Ardent Graphic Artist with Experience in Managing 25+ Design Projects; Decreasing Completion Time by 30%
5. Art Instructor Who Created 5 Kids’ Virtual Art Lessons, Including the Timeframe, Resources, Budget and Designs

Accounting

1. Financial Advisor with 5+ Years of Experience Helping Clients Grow Their Crypto Portfolio
2. Internal Auditor Responsible for Managing and Safeguarding Over $1,000 Worth of Assets
3. Financial Planner Who Specializes in Small Businesses
4. Business Analyst Who Doubled a Company’s Profits Within Three Months
5. Certified Public Accountant With 3+ Years of Experience Managing $2 Million Company Revenue

Health

1. Registered Nurse with 7+ Years of Experience Caring for the Elderly
2. A Nutritionist Who Successfully Secured a Grant and Started a Cooking Channel for Teens
3. Bilingual Nurse With Extensive Experience in Caring for Newborns
4. Health Care Worker Responsible for Managing the Critical Care Wing of XYZ Hospital

Technology

1. Lead IT Specialist with 4 Years’ Worth of Experience Overseeing a Team of 10 IT Technicians
2. Computer Programmer Who Designed and Monitored E-Commerce Website With a Traffic of 10,000 Visitors Daily
3. IT Manager Assistant Who Maintained a Security System That Housed 50+ Company Servers
4. Data Scientist Who A/B Tested Company’s E-Commerce Sales Pages, Improving Conversion Rate by 7.5%

More Resume Headline Examples & Tips

Another way to think of a good headline is to look at an online article. Check out websites like Buzzfeed to see how they craft catchy headlines. Look at the wording used to garner attention, what stands out to you? What can you implement into your own resume headline?

Here are a few more resume headline examples to get your brain ticking:

1. Filmmaker who Won the Vimeo Prize Winner for Best Short Series in 2022
2. On-Page SEO Wizard with 3+ Years Creating Amazing Written Content
3. TikTok Ads Specialist Knocking Ads Out of the Park 15 Campaigns 15 Home Runs
4. GMB Professional Ranking Businesses #1 for Over 7+ Years
5. Backlink Veteran with 9+ Years Finding Long Tail Keywords that Rank
6. Email Copywriter that can Double your Revenue or I Work for Free
7. Proven Sales Professional that Added an Extra $670k in Company Revenue

These 10 tips will help you think of a good headline:

It is not a requirement to add every option listed below to your resume headline. Your aim is to craft an eye-catching headline of substance. Each tip below can help you find the words you are looking to add.

Tip 1. Keep it short – The aim is to keep the resume headline short like a magazine or newspaper headline. You want the recruiter to take notice of the heading.

Tip 2. Keep the headline above the summary – Remember it’s a headline which means it should be at the top within the first eye line contact.

Tip 3. Use title case – Once again it is a headline and the title case is perfectly acceptable to make the headline pop out from the page.

Tip 4. No cliches – It goes without saying “you’ve heard a cliche once, you’ve heard it a thousand times” do not sink your own ship.

Tip 5. Use the same job title listed in the ad – If you have the scope to use the job title go ahead and add it to your headline.

Tip 6. Add your skills – Does your skillset sound amazing in your resume title? If you answered yes add it.

Tip 7. Use keywords from the job listing – When you read the advertised listing did you notice the keywords related to the position offered? Use them.

Tip 8. License/Certifications – If the position you are applying for requires certifications. Try and add it to your resume headline.

Tip 9. Massive Achievements – Have you achieved anything noteworthy related to your industry? If you have answered yes make sure to add it.

Tip 10. Years of experience – How many years have you been working within your industry? If it’s substantial add it.

Conclusion

A headline may be one of the shortest sections in a resume. But, this doesn’t make it any less important. If anything, it’s an integral element as it introduces the recruiters to your professional background. It highlights your greatest achievements, which gives them an insight into the value you’ll bring once you’re hired. If you’re not sure how to go about this, this post provides several tips to help you write a resume headline. Even better, you’ll find a plethora of examples you can tailor to suit you.

If you want to learn the correct way to build your own resume from the ground up check out the article How To Write A Resume For Your Ideal Job and if you want to skip all the hard work and build your resume off a template. Browse our range of Resume Templates that come with a step-by-step guide on building your best resume to date.