Ways To Write a Better Resume Headline

When you’re submitting a resume to a hiring manager, it’s important to remember that you’re often competing against hundreds of other applicants. That means the hiring manager is probably only going to look at your resume for a few seconds before moving on to the next. If you want a better chance at landing a new job, you need to make sure the top of your resume draws the hiring manager in. An attention-grabbing resume headline is the right way to do that. Here’s how you can create a resume headline that will make recruiters interested in your resume.

A resume headline, also sometimes called a resume title, is a single phrase that goes at the top of your resume. It condenses who you are and what you do into a one-liner that can grab a recruiter’s attention. Here are a few resume headline examples to give you an idea of what this term means and how to write a resume headline:

• Detail-oriented project manager with 20 years of experience
• Prize-winning photographer with thousands of completed jobs
• Digital programmer with six programming awards
• Sales associate who achieved a 42% revenue increase
  Advertising expert who’s landed $50 million in sales

These are all good resume headlines because they showcase what’s great about you in a single fragment. Your resume headline needs to be only a few short words, but it needs to showcase the most impressive thing you’ll be able to do for the company if you get the job.

How can you build an effective resume headline for your own resume? You first need to know what goes into one. Here are a few ideas to start brainstorming your resume headline.

• Your biggest accomplishments
• Competitions and awards you’ve won
• Job title
• Quantifiable achievements that prove your talents
• Years of work experience

Remember, a resume headline is supposed to highlight your absolute best accomplishment, and there’s no need to highlight anything else in this section. When crafting your professional resume, think about the one thing you would tell someone who asked you why they should believe you’re good at your job. That’s what you need to put into your resume headline.

A resume headline isn’t something every resume has, but if you’re trying to boost your job search, it’s a great option. Here are a few of the benefits of a resume headline:

• Helps you stand out
• Provides your best achievements at a glance
• Helps with applicant tracking systems (ATS) that scan resumes for important keywords
• Shows off your skills with less experience

With a resume headline, use phrases for important skills and experiences that reflect the job application and highlight your top strengths. Think of your new headline as an even more condensed version of a resume summary, and a great way to show off all the reasons your resume should be the one that goes to the top of the pile.