Starting your job search, you will need to stack up on patience and get ready to send out dozens of applications before you land an interview. The only way to ensure success is to prove to recruiters and potential employers that you are a perfect match for the job. And to do this you will need a professional resume.
So, you need a killer resume that can help you land a job, what should you do? Basically, there are two solutions – you can either order it at a professional resume writing service like skillhub.com  or write it yourself.
If you choose the second path, you are probably wondering where to start. To craft a winning resume, you should first take care of formulating a proper headline and, in this article, we will tell you how to do it!
What Is a Resume Headline?
Here, you will find a step-by-step writing guide, actionable tips, and examples that will help you create a perfect headline that will grab the recruiter’s attention the second they look at your resume. But, first, let’s define what it is.
In a nutshell, a headline is a title of a resume. It is a concise statement that specifies your job title and emphasizes your work experience and key skills. The purpose of this statement is to attract the attention of a hiring manager, make a good first impression, and make them want to read your CV to the end.
A good title should be snappy and to-the-point. Ideally, it should fit in one line and be between 7 and 15 words long. At the same time, it has to engage hiring managers and make them want to recruit you straight away.
Why Should You Include a Headline?
Recruiting firms, as well as companies that post job openings themselves, get tons of applications. If every recruiter read every single job application, it would take a huge amount of time. And chances are that many of those applications aren’t even relevant to the job description.
To not waste time, recruiters quickly scan CVs to weed out job seekers that don’t meet their needs. And that’s when a good title can help you stand out. With a clear and concise title, you don’t just attract attention but also immediately show that you qualify for the job.
Namely, it will help you to meet several goals at once:
- Show your value as a potential employee
- Display your experiences
- Make up for the lack of relevant experience (if necessary) by highlighting key skillsÂ
- Get through an Applicant Tracking System (ATS)
6 Steps to Write a Perfect Resume Headline
A well-written title can help you get more interviews. But, since it is the first thing recruiters will notice on your CV, if you fail to grab their attention with your title, you will never get a second chance to make the first impression. Thus, you should be very attentive and careful when writing it.
Here is how to get things right:
- Start with a strong adjective. Consider starting it with a powerful adjective that describes your best personal or professional traits. If you don’t want to include an adjective, start your headline with a job title.
- Include your job title. If possible, use a relevant keyword.
- Mention years of experience. If you have relevant experience, be sure to specify the number of years in the headline. But, if you don’t have much experience and believe that it won’t provide any value here, you can add it later, in the summary section.
- Mention licenses or certifications. If the role you want to apply for requires you to have some licensing or certification or, at least, gives some extra credits for this, do include it in your title.
- List a couple of skills. This is not mandatory. However, if you have some superb skills that you believe can help you stand out, you can add one or two in the resume title.
- Consider adding your biggest achievement. Typically, you will want to list your biggest accomplishments in the resume summary. But, if you have something really jaw-dropping, don’t hesitate to add it here.
That’s it. Just like that, in 6 easy and quick steps, you can create a high-quality and attention-grabbing headline for a resume. But, don’t forget to proofread it when you are ready to make sure that there are no typos or other mistakes.
Resume Headline: General Tips
Writing a title is a win or lose the deal. Earlier, we’ve already told you how to tackle this matter step by step.
Now, let us give you a few extra tips for ensuring success:
- Keep it short and straight to the point.
- Tailor it to each particular job offer.
- Read openings and use relevant keywords in your title.
- Put a headline at the top of your resume.
- Avoid cliche phrases.
- Format it using the title case to create a proper visual hierarchy.
- Write more than one headline – later, you will be able to alternate them to match each offer you are applying for.
Winning Resume Headline Examples
Now that you know how to write a proper resume headline, let us share with you some good examples that will set you on the right track and help find ideas:
- Multilingual Project Manager With 10+ Years of Experience
- Three-Time Sales Manager of the Month With Over 5 Years of Experience
- Award-Winning Photographer With 5+ Years of Experience Shooting Landscapes
- Licensed Nurse With More Than 3 Years of Experience and 99% Positive Patient Feedback
- Result-Oriented Sales Manager Who Achieved 44% Revenue Increase
- Enthusiastic Receptionist With Excellent Customer Service Skills and 5+ Years of Experience
- Professional CNA Recognized by Nightingale Award
- Outgoing Waiter With Over 3 Years of Experience in Top-Level Restaurants
Hopefully, the tips, steps, and examples from this guide will help you create an attention-grabbing headline and land the job of your dream at ease. Good luck!
