An effective resume title headline can increase your chance of getting noticed

If you think you've finished writing your resume, think again. There's probably something you've missed or at least didn't put enough effort into. Take a step back from your computer and look at your resume. You should be able to instantly identify the type of position you're seeking. 

  • Does your resume title announce that desired position? 

  • Do you even have a resume headline to announce that title?

The headline on your resume can be one of the simplest ways to immediately capture a hiring manager's attention. Unfortunately, many job seekers neglect this important tool. We want to help you avoid that trap so that your resume doesn't get lost in the crowd. Seems easy enough, right? Well, getting it right can be harder than you think. That's okay, though, because we've got you covered! 

Below, you'll find 27 great resume headline examples to help you stand out from the crowd, plus simple tips to help you write it with pizzazz.

What is a resume headline or title?

A headline for your resume is a single line that sums up your relevant skills and professional experiences. It's located beneath your name and personal information and serves as a summarization of your resume summary. 

Resume title

It's different from a simple resume title, which is nothing more than the job title that you're seeking. Resume titles do not include mention of skills or achievements or anything else of value. If you're applying for a Human Resources Specialist role, the title of your resume would simply be “Human Resources Specialist.” Obviously, that simple approach is pretty dull – and does nothing to help you stand out from the crowd. 

Resume headline

On the other hand, an effective resume headline can capture the attention of recruiters and hiring managers as they're quickly skimming a stack of resumes. A well-written headline can also provide you with another opportunity to inject relevant keywords and phrases into your resume, which can help your submission to get past the ATS. 

27+ resume headline examples by industry

The best way to understand great resume titles and headlines is to review some resume headline examples. Feel free to steal one of these for yourself or use them as inspiration in crafting your own stand-out resume headline.

Resume headline examples for accounting 

  • Meticulous CPA with Over 8 Years of Experience in Corporate Taxes 

  • Staff Accountant with Expertise in Account Reconciliation and General Ledger

Resume headline examples for customer service 

  • Bilingual Customer Service Representative with High Customer Satisfaction Rate

  • Enthusiastic Customer Service Representative Specializing in Retail

Resume headline examples for engineering 

  • Committed Environmental Engineer with 6 Years in Wastewater Treatment

  • Analytical Civil Engineer Specializing in Electrical Power Lines

Resume headline examples for finance

  • Investment Specialist Passionate about Securing Clients' Financial Futures

  • Diligent Financial Controller with 4+ Years of Successful Error Mitigation 

Resume headline examples for hospitality

  • Resort Manager with 10-Year Track Record of Increasing Profits by $4 Million 

  • Director of Catering Events Specializing in Quality Foods for Refined Palates

Resume headline examples for human resources

  • Executive Recruiter and Headhunter with Expertise in Identifying Top Talent

  • Leadership Development Specialist with a Flair for Managing Employee Relations

Resume headline examples for manufacturing 

  • Plant and Production Manager with Extensive Experience in Using Agile Methodologies

  • Process Technician with Record of Reducing Costs by $300,000 Annually

Resume headline examples for marketing

  • Proven Social Media Marketer with Expertise in Managing $2 Million in Annual Advertising Spend

  • Quick-Witted Copywriter with 3+ Years Working with Restaurants in 50+ Markets

Resume headline examples for nursing 

  • Compassionate RN Registered in Florida With a Strong Emphasis on Pediatrics

  • California-Licensed Registered Nurse with 5+ Years of Emergency Room Experience

Resume headline examples for project management

  • IT Project Manager with 6+ Years Overseeing Website with 5 Million Monthly Views

  • Senior Project Manager Focused on Construction Scheduling

Resume headline examples for real estate

  • New Home Sales Consultant with 5+ Years of Experience in Development

  • Senior Leasing Officer and Real Estate Broker Specializing in Commercial Real Estate

Resume headline examples for sales

  • Personable Sales Representative who Consistently Exceeds Target Goals

  • Senior Sales Executive with Experience in Auto and Home Insurance

Resume headline examples for technology

  • Innovative IT Manager with a Proven Track Record of Hitting Deadlines

  • Reliable IT Support Analyst with 3+ Years of Experience in Troubleshooting within KPIs

Resume headline example for a student with no experience 

  • Driven Journalism Student with a Passion for Telling Stories

Why does having a headline for your resume matter?

Of course, the main goal of a resume headline is to help your resume stand out from your rivals, but having a compelling resume headline can also ensure that you make a lasting first impression. Taking the time to write something more than a simple title shows that you pay attention to the details.

When you set yourself apart from the competition, employers will have a reason to read further into your resume. They will instantly recognize that your application demands attention. 

Spending a few extra minutes on your headline strengthens your personal brand and showcases the things that make you the best candidate for the job. Ultimately, the time spent creating your resume could be just what you need to help your resume grow legs, stand up on the hiring manager's desk, and shout, “Hey, look at me, I'm the one!”

How to write a resume headline

Now that you have some resume headline examples, it's time to write your own creative resume title. Keep these tips in mind as you craft the perfect one-liner for your resume:

1. Use specific keywords and phrases

Your resume headline is a great opportunity to include specific keywords relevant to the job posting. This not only helps you stand out, but it can also help your resume to rank higher in companies' applicant tracking systems.

To determine the best keywords to include in a good headline for your resume, study the job listing. 

  • Which words are used to describe the ideal candidate? 

  • Are specific certifications or experiences required? 

If so, consider including those in your resume headline.

2. Customize it for each job application

Because each job is different, it's important to carefully consider your resume headline when applying to different positions. Look through each job opening and consider the required skills, experiences, certifications, and soft skills. Once you have an idea of what the company needs for a new staff member to do in the role, use those keywords in your headline. This is called tailoring.

3. Use the right adjectives

Using an adjective in your resume headline can help you stand out, but you should avoid overused words like hard-working, detail-oriented, innovative, and creative. Instead, use attention-grabbing adjectives like instrumental, energetic, imaginative, driven, or responsive. 

If you need inspiration, check out our great post, 100 Powerful Resume Adjectives that Can Help Make Your Resume More Compelling.

4. Show – don't tell

Are you a doer or an achiever? Instead of using your resume headline to “tell” the reader you're an effective employee, show it with awards, numbers, or certifications.

Here are some resume headline examples that show how achievements can make an impact:

  • Personable Sales Representative who Consistently Exceeds Target Goals by 30%

  • Seasoned Facebook Ad Copywriter with Average Click-Through Rate of 2%+

  • Certified Professional Scrum Master III with 98% Customer Satisfaction Rate
Sometimes, just highlighting your years of experience can be an impactful way to showcase the value you bring to a job.

5. Make your headline stand out

Finally, it's important to make sure your strong resume headline stands out – literally. Leverage your resume's design to highlight your headline or title. It shouldn't be as big or as bold as your name at the top of the page, but it should be one of the first things the hiring manager sees before scanning down to your resume summary.

Key takeaways on how to write your headline:

  • Write it directly beneath your contact information

  • Keep it on one line

  • Include the title of the role you want with some keywords from the job description

  • Use title case

  • Tailor it to every job you apply to

  • Mention certifications if you have them

  • Include an achievement

Common mistakes to avoid when writing your resume headline

We've already established that using a title rather than a headline is boring and won't serve you very well when you're trying to stand out from the crowd. There are other mistakes you'll also want to avoid, though. We've highlighted a few below.

Don't be too generic

The concept of targeting and tailoring your resume is critical. Fail to do so at your peril. When you lack specificity in your resume, including your headline, you do nothing to set yourself apart from others. 

Many people think that if they have a general resume, they can use the same one for every job they seek. That simply will not work, and the main reason has to do with modern applicant tracking systems.

These applicant tracking systems search all incoming resumes against the keywords and phrases they're programmed to look for. If the ATS doesn't find the requisite keywords, your resume is sent to the bottom of the pile.

Avoid jargon, buzzwords, and superlatives

Even if you think that industry-specific terminology will help demonstrate your familiarity within your field, it's important to recognize that excessive use of jargon could be a turnoff for hiring managers and recruiters. Considering that they're spending just seconds skimming through your resume, you don't want to include any words that might cause confusion. 

PRO TIP: The fact that you're applying for a tech role, for example, doesn't necessarily mean that a tech person will be the only person reviewing your resume.

While we're on the subject, you should also give buzzwords the boot. Instead, use action words that show how your past achievements will resonate with future employers.

With that said, they don't want to see a bunch of superlatives. You know, those words that end with "-est" or "-ly" like "best-in-class," "highest revenue generator," or “expertly.” If you're going to write something on your resume about generating the highest revenue, prove it by using numbers. 

  • Wrong: Sales Representative Acknowledged as Highest Revenue Generator

  • Right: Sales Representative Acknowledged for Generating $27M in Revenue

Remember: Substance matters!

When your headline sings, you'll get more interviews

It's not good enough to treat the headline of your resume as one more box to check off on your resume-writing to-do list. You should spend a fair amount of time on it to ensure that it's properly tailored to the job you want in a way that will sing your praises to a hiring manager and help you to stand out from the crowd. 

Check your headline to ensure that it:

  • Will leave a lasting impression

  • Has the right keywords

  • Doesn't have buzzwords and jargon

  • Includes an achievement 

  • Is an authentic representation of your skills and experience

When you hit all of these notes, you'll have a killer headline that's sure to wow the hiring manager and win a coveted spot at the interview table. 

Want help crafting an impressive resume headline? A professional resume review is a good start.

This article was originally written by Carlson Kohler and has been updated by Marsha Hebert and Ken Chase.

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