examples of resume headlines

30 Strong Resume Headline Examples to Use in 2023

What makes you click an article when you’re scrolling on your phone? If you think about it, it’s usually the headline. Out of the hundreds of stories we scan in a day, we're most likely to click and read something when the headline feels urgent, relevant, or clever. 

The same principles apply when it comes to your resume: A strong headline will draw recruiters into the story of you— and entice them to keep reading.

As a certified professional resume writer who has written hundreds (and I mean hundreds ) of resumes, I strongly recommend using a headline. Whether you’re fresh out of college and looking for your first “real” job, or you're 20+ years into your career and eyeing the C-suite, a brilliant headline can make all the difference in landing a job interview.

Here’s everything you need to know about what resume headlines are, why they work, and how to add one to the resume you’ll use to land your next job.

What is a resume headline or resume title?

A resume headline is a concise description of your work experience, placed right at the top of your resume. It goes below your name and contact information, and above your summary or opening resume section . Your resume headline usually pairs a job title with a brief phrase or two that relates to the job you’re pursuing. It’s where you tell a decision maker—who is most likely skimming dozens of applications at a time—that you’re a great fit for the job.

Why should I use a resume headline?

Resume headlines work because they allow you to frame who you are and your core value proposition  to the recruiter or hiring manager right away. This is your chance to say that you’re exactly what they’re looking for and prompt them to keep reading. 

A headline also gives you a better shot at getting noticed because you can weave relevant keywords into this part of your resume. Keywords (job titles, skills, educational credentials, etc.) that align with the job description can increase the odds of your resume passing through an applicant tracking system (ATS) and landing in front of human reviewers who will ultimately make the hiring decisions.

Best resume headline templates for 2023

So, what does a resume headline look like? Here are three different templates you can use to write your own.

When writing resumes for my clients, I typically use this formula:

1-3 Commonly Used Job Titles That Describe You (In Plain English)

Keyword-Rich Supporting Statement Showcasing Something That Makes You a Standout for That Role

You might also consider a single-line headline that combines your title with an attention-grabbing phrase, something like this:

Job Title with X Years’ Experience Doing This Directly Relevant Thing

Job Title Who Achieved This Very Impressive Result

Certainly, you could go with one to three titles without the descriptive subhead or phrase. This is sometimes called a resume title, and it’s better than having no headline at all. But I’d argue it’s a missed opportunity to share something specific that ties your capabilities to the requirements of a job.

Whether you choose to use a resume title in your headline or keep it to just one line is really a matter of personal preference. What’s important is that you have one in the first place—and use it to your advantage.

6 ways to write a great resume headline

A compelling headline will be both keyword-rich and provide a short and snappy elevator pitch—something that summarizes what you’re all about in relation to the job or jobs you’re pursuing. Here’s what I recommend:

1. Position yourself for the job you want (but don’t lie)

Again, your goal is to set the stage with recruiters and hiring managers that you’re exactly what they’re looking for. Given this, the more closely you can align your resume to the job or jobs you want next—without making stuff up, of course—the better. 

For instance, if you’re a marketing manager who’s built a successful e-commerce platform for your current employer and you’re applying for jobs at companies looking for a marketing leader with e-commerce experience, you’d be wise to announce that you’re a marketing leader with that specific experience in your headline.

2. Tailor your headline for each role you pursue

Building on tip number one, keep in mind that your resume headline is not a tattoo. You can, and should, modify your headline as needed if you’re applying for jobs with varying requirements.

So if you’re that same marketing manager and you’re applying for another job that emphasizes social media marketing—and you also have experience doing that—you shouldn’t hesitate to swap out the e-commerce mention for something more specific to social media.

RELATED: 

https://www.themuse.com/advice/what-it-really-means-to-tailor-your-resume

3. Keep it concise

Brevity and strategy are key with your headline. If you’re using a job title and a phrase on the next line—like my team typically does—your whole headline should take up two lines max.

Otherwise, your headline should be a succinct one-liner combining title(s) with a powerful phrase about your fitness for this job. 

4. Avoid clichés

Don’t waste valuable real estate with vague terms like “results oriented” or clichés such as "thinks outside the box.” Recruiters see these lines so often that their eyes will likely skip over ’em, and that’s the opposite of your goal here. Instead, show your impact with a data point: X Job Title Who Increased Revenue by 150%, or similar. 

5. Use common job titles

If you’re looking for a job as a chief of staff and are basically working as one now, but have an oddball title that doesn’t immediately or clearly convey what you do, introduce yourself as a chief of staff in your headline. It all comes back to the keywords both the ATS and the people reading your resume are looking for. You don’t want to miss the chance to be considered for a full-stack engineering role because your current company uses the title “full-stack magician,” or be overlooked for a customer support role because your last company insisted on the title “weekend happiness concierge” (btw, those are real examples ).

6. Highlight accomplishments

Again, if you’re a top performer with impressive, quantifiable results to share, this is a great opportunity for you to show off. Take a look at the examples below to see what this could look like in action.

Best resume headline examples for 2023

What does a resume headline actually look like? Let’s run through a few examples.

A general resume headline, and why it works

Say you’re a project and program manager who just earned your Project Management Professional (PMP) certification. You’ve selected a few project and program management jobs that you want to apply for and notice that this certification is consistently listed as a preferred qualification. (Hooray, you have it!) You’re also seeing a common theme among the job descriptions that got you excited: They all call for someone who has worked with SaaS (or software as a service) companies. Hooray again, you have.

Your headline, then, may look like this:

PMP-Certified Project Manager | Senior Program Manager

Delivering Complex Projects—On Time & Within Budget—for Global SaaS Providers

This keyword-rich title immediately tells the reviewer that you’re a project manager and a program manager and that you have the valuable PMP certification. The rest of the headline makes it clear that you have experience in a SaaS environment and know how to successfully deliver projects on deadline and within budget. You’ll also notice that every word in the headline and subhead earns its spot on the page. There is no fluff. There are no clichés.

Everything works together to bring the reader into your story and make them eager to continue into your summary section.

A recent graduate resume headline, and why it works

Next up, how about a mechanical engineering graduate who is looking for engineering jobs in the robotics industry? This time, we’ll go with a headline that combines title and power phrase in a single line:

Purdue University BSME Honors Graduate With Robot Programming Experience

This one capitalizes on the prestige of a Purdue University engineering degree and showcases the candidate’s experience with a specific requirement of many robotics engineering jobs: the ability to program a robot.

One- and two-line resume headline examples

Here are a few more headline examples, for a variety of industries and roles:

Nonprofit Leader | Executive Director | Director of Development

Driving Transformative Performance on Behalf of Global Humanitarian Agencies

Supply Chain Manager | Logistics Team Lead

Optimizing Operational Performance in Global Manufacturing Environments

Executive Assistant | Office Manager

Enabling Business Leaders to Thrive by Delivering World-Class Administrative Support

Technical Writer | Trainer & Instructor

Transforming Complex Technical Information Into Compelling and Actionable Content, Lessons, & Documentation

We could take those same four people and create one-line headlines for them:

Nonprofit Director Who Has Successfully Raised $5M for Children’s Charities

Supply Chain Leader With 15 Years’ Experience Managing End-to-End Global Supply Chains

Executive Assistant—an Indispensable Partner to Senior Business Leaders

Technical Writer Specializing in Transforming Complex Information Into Compelling & Actionable Content

Lastly, some bonus resume headline examples

If you want even more ideas, consider these:

• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) With 8 Years Auditing Experience
• SaaS Account Executive Who’s Closed Over $10 Million in Sales
• Content Writer and Editor Who Has Increased SEO Traffic by Over 200%
• Award Winning UX-Designer Specializing in Accessibility
• Account Manager Responsible for Upsells Totalling $500K+ in 6 Months
• Back-End Developer Fluent in JavaScript, SQL, Ruby, and Python
• Advertising Executive Responsible for the GEICO Gecko
• Social Media Marketing Specialist who Launched and Grew 100K Follower TikTok Account
• Recruiter Who’s Sourced, Interviewed, and Overseen Hiring Process for 200+ Hired Candidates
• Very Good Dog Who Doesn’t Bark at UPS Guy
• Comp Sci Grad with Past Internships at Google and Facebook
• Project Manager Specializing in Completing Over-Budget Initiatives Cheap
• HR Professional with 18 Years in Benefits Management
• Certified Special Education Teacher With 5 Years Experience in Multi-Grade Classroom
• Data Analyst With 4 Years Experience in Financial Modeling
• Data Scientist Specializing in Machine Learning
• IT Professional Who Set Up Hillary Clinton’s Server—Which Is Still Unhacked
• Engineer Who Actually Founded Tesla

Bottom line: No one—not even the ATS—can see and feel and touch your years of experience and understand why you should be hired. It’s on you to frame the “you on paper” as the very best candidate to the decision makers, whether they’re a technology or a group of humans. And it all starts with your headline.

Regina Borsellino also contributed writing, reporting, and/or advice to this article.

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• Resume and Cover Letter
• 27 Great Resume Headline...

27 Great Resume Headline Examples to Stand Out

10 min read · Updated on May 21, 2024

An effective resume 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. 

With your resume pulled up on your computer, stand up and back away from the screen. Can you instantly tell what type of position you're applying for? Better yet, get a friend to look at your resume from a distance and let them tell you what type of role they think you're applying to. 

If it's not blatantly obvious, then you need to work on your resume headline. Sadly, resume headlines often go unattended but, the truth is, a strong, catchy headline can place you head and shoulders above rival job seekers.

Don't fall into the trap that a lot of applicants fall into by slapping a title at the top of your resume and calling it done. That's the best way to blend in. Take your resume headline a step further so that it works harder for you. 

Seems easy enough, right? Well, getting it right can be harder than you think. That's okay, though, because we've got you covered! 

What is a resume headline or title?

A headline for your resume is one line that sums up your relevant skills and professional experiences. It's located beneath your name and personal information; you can think of it as a summary of your resume summary . 

On the other hand, a resume title is just that – a title. It lacks any mention of skills or achievements from your experience. If you're applying for a Human Resources Specialist role, the title of your resume would simply be, “Human Resources Specialist.” It's frankly boring and does nothing to help you to stand out from the crowd. 

An effective resume headline catches the eyes of recruiters and hiring managers who are skimming a stack of resumes during the job search. Plus, it provides you with another opportunity to inject relevant keywords and phrases into your resume which will help your CV to be ranked highly by the ATS and make you stand out. 

27+ resume headline examples by industry

The best way to understand what's needed is to see 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 Waste Water Treatment

Analytical Civil Engineer with a Focus on Electrical Power Lines

Resume headline examples for finance

Investment Specialist Passionate about Securing Clients' Financial Futures

Diligent Financial Controller with 4+ Years of Substantially Reducing Errors 

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 in 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

Awarded Nurse Licensed in California 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 idea is so that your resume stands out from the sea of sameness, but having a compelling resume headline will also 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 – who have the luxury of choice because they've received HUNDREDS of resumes – will have a reason to read further into your resume. They can tell within a few seconds why your application demands attention. 

Spending a few extra minutes on your headline strengthens your personal brand and showcases right up front what makes you the best. And, let's face it, representing yourself as the best is what you have to do. 

How to write a resume headline

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

1. Use specific keywords and phrases

As previously mentioned, your resume headline is a great opportunity to include specific keywords relevant to the job posting. This not only helps you to 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 to stand out, but 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, Google “powerful resume adjectives.”

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

Even just listing 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 want to avoid too, though. 

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 job after job. That simply will not work. 

Because you won't get ranked highly by the ATS. These applicant tracking systems can be searched by keywords and they scan 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

Just because some piece of terminology is considered to be industry-specific and you think it'll demonstrate your familiarity within a field, overusing jargon can be a turnoff to hiring managers and recruiters. Considering that they're spending just seconds skimming through your resume, you don't want there to be anything in the language they'll have to figure out. 

PRO TIP: Just because you're applying for a tech role, doesn't mean a tech person will be the only person checking out your resume.

While we're on the subject, you should also give buzzwords the boot. Instead, use action words that show what you did in the past that 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" or "highest revenue generator." 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 get 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.

Recommended Reading:

The Benefits of Proactively Updating Your Resume

How to Write a Standout Career Summary

How to Target a Specific Job Description With Your Resume

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