Creating a resume header that stands out from the rest can be both risky and rewarding. It’s the first thing employers will look at when they open your resume, and it’s a perfect opportunity to grab their attention quickly. The goal of your header is to make it easier for potential employers to find the essential information they need and to make it appealing enough to consider you as a potential candidate. This article will help you learn how to write a resume header that makes you stand out from the crowd and gets employers to read your resume.
Main Headlines
1 : What to Include in a Header
2 : How to Leverage a Header for ATS-Friendliness
3 : How to Make Your Header Easier to Read
4 : 6 Tips for Crafting a Strong Resume Header
5 : How Long Should a Resume Header Be?
6 : Defining a Professional Header Tone
7 : Mistakes to Avoid in Your Resume Header
8 : Frequently Asked Questions
9 : Additional Resources
10 : Final Words
What to Include in a Header
A resume header should include your name, email address, phone number, and LinkedIn profile URL (if you have one). These components make it easier for hiring professionals to quickly contact you and connect with you on social media. Creating a separate line to display your name adds an extra bit of professionalism to the header.
Apart from your contact information, you may want to include location, language proficiency, and any relevant certifications in your header. Location and certifications can help recruiters identify you as the right fit for the job. Language proficiency can indicate to a recruiter that you are knowledgeable about the company market and customer base.
How to Leverage a Header for ATS-Friendliness
It is important to write your resume header with Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) in mind. To ensure ATS-friendliness, you should use an easily readable (i.e. non-scripted) font as well as standard words and phrases. This means avoiding any complex phrases or buzzwords that could confuse or complicate a computer system. When in doubt, avoid symbols and special characters as they will likely be interpreted as gibberish by the ATS.
How to Make Your Header Easier to Read
Clearly display your contact information by setting it apart from the rest of your resume. To do this, you can create a separate line directly under the resume header to make it easier to read. You can also increase “clickability” by including a hyperlink for your email address, phone number, and LinkedIn profile.
6 Tips for Crafting a Strong Resume Header
1. Keep It Personal: A resume header should include your name, contact information, and language proficiency. Make sure that these components are personal and reflect your professional identity.
2. Be Professional: It’s important to keep a professional tone when crafting your resume header. Use professional language and avoid any informal, overly humorous, or unprofessional phrases.
3. Use a Clear Font: Choose a typeface that is easy to read, a size that is easily visible, and a font color that stands out without being distracting.
4. Format for ATS: Create a header that is readable by ATS. Avoid symbols and special characters and use standard font family.
5. Add Links: Make sure that there are active links for your email address, phone number, and LinkedIn profile in the header.
6. Make It Clean: Make sure that the header is clean and well organized so that a recruiter can quickly find the necessary information.
How Long Should a Resume Header Be?
Your resume header can be as long or as short as necessary. There is no exact word count limit, but you should keep it to one line. It is best to be succinct and to the point. Too many entries in the header (such as additional certifications or irrelevant links) can make the header disorganized and detract attention away from other sections of the resume.
Defining a Professional Header Tone
The tone of your resume header should be professional. Avoid jokes, informal language, and overly-quirky phrasing; your resume should be serious and straight to the point. You want to be seen as a capable and serious candidate who is ready to take on a professional role.
Mistakes to Avoid in Your Resume Header
When it comes to crafting a resume header, there are a few key mistakes to avoid. You should never use an unprofessional email address or phone number. Additionally, stay away from any fonts that may be difficult to read, any illegal or inappropriate language, and any incorrect or irrelevant information.
Frequently Asked Questions
What information should I include in the header?
Include your name, phone number, email address, and LinkedIn profile URL (if available). Additionally, you may want to include information like certifications, language proficiency, and location.
Is one line enough for a header?
Yes, one line is usually enough for a header. Anything longer may look crowded and disorganized.
Should my resume header be tailored to the job I am applying for?
Yes, the resume header should be tailored to the job you are applying for. Make sure to include information that is relevant to the job position.
What font should I use for my resume header?
It is best to use a font that is easy to read and not too small. Make sure to preview your header on different devices; you want to make sure that it is easily readable on all platforms.
Additional Resources
If you’re finding it difficult to craft an eye-catching header, here are few additional resources where you can find inspiration:
- Guru99.com: How to Write a Killer Resume Header
- U.S. News & World Report: Creating a Header for Your Resume
- Career Sidekick: How to Write a Resume Header
Final Words
Your resume header is the first thing potential employers will read when they come into contact with your resume. As such, it is important to use it to your advantage and create a header that is eye-catching, informative, and easy for recruiters to identify and read. By following the tips and advice outlined in this article, you should be able to create a header that stands out from the crowd and that gets you noticed by recruiters.