Writing a headline for your resume can be daunting. How do you sum up who you are as in employee in one line? Below, we offer some tips that can help you write your resume headline. But first, let's set some ground rules for this part of your resume:
The headline should be located immediately under your contact information.
It must be only one line. If it extends to two lines, shorten the headline.
Your goal is to show you are a great applicant for a specific job opening, so this is an area of your resume you should consider updating for each job posting.
Each word in the headline should be capitalized.
#1 Look at the Title on the Job Posting
Yes, you read that right. We didn't say to look at your past job titles. We said to look at the job posting. What title do they list? Do you have previous experience that would allow you to list that title as your own title or resume headline? This can be eye-catching to a hiring manager because it alerts them to the possibility of a really good match. But, be sure you answer this question honestly!
For example, if in your past, your job title was "Engineer," but your responsibilities included being the "Project Lead," you use "Project Lead" as your headline. On the other hand, if you didn't lead a project, you shouldn't list that as your headline because it isn't a fair representation of your work history.
The best way to show a company you are ready for their position, is to have a headline that matches their job posting title. But, only do this if it is true.
#2 Dive Into the Job Posting
If the title on the job posting isn't a match, do a close reading of the full job description. Pick out some important keywords or phrases that you see. Do they use certain words to describe an ideal candidate? If so, consider including that wording in your headline on your resume, but again, only if your experience truly matches those words.
Does the job posting mention any required certifications? If so, consider including them in the headline, so it is immediately obvious you meet the requirement. An example would be a job posting that is looking for a NYS Certified K-6 Teacher. The headline in this case could be "NYS Certified K-6 Teacher with 10 Years of Experience."
#3 Look at Titles and Keywords on LinkedIn
If the job posting title is not a fair representation of your experience, your next step should be to look at LinkedIn. Check for headlines of people in roles similar to those you have had in the past or have currently for inspiration.
Again, you don't have to rely on putting your existing job title on your resume as your headline. It will be listed under your work experience section.
Try to come up with a title that is representative of what you did previously but also shows you are ready for the new opportunity you are seeking.
LinkedIn can also help you find relevant keywords that you may want to incorporate within your headline.
#4 Think About What Makes You Stand Out
Are you multilingual? Do you have the years of experience they require? Is a certain software package your specialty? Do you have an achievement that would be worth highlighting? Are you an expert in a certain field? Does your education elevate you compared to other candidates? Consider what makes you better than the other candidates, and see if you can incorporate that within your headline.
#5 Draft Up Your Idea for a Resume Headline
Now that you have read the job posting, looked at similar roles on LinkedIn, and thought about your unique skills and qualifications, you should be able to draft up a few options that might work.
#6 Review Your Potential Resume Headlines
Time to review what you have written, to see what works. When you are editing, make sure your headline is concise. Something complex may be difficult for the hiring manager to read. Remember, they are quickly reviewing 100+ resumes so they want to scan and move on. It is also wise to avoid common vague terms like "successful" or "passionate."
#7 Make Your Resume Headline Selection
At this point you should be ready to pick a headline to use on your resume. Keep in mind that you will want to update it for any new job postings you apply to. This is an area of your resume you should consider updating each time you fill out an application.
Following the above step-by-step directions makes writing your resume headline less overwhelming. Need more help on your resume? Reach out to Revision Resume by emailing us at info@revisionresume.com or through our contact form. We are ready to help you create a polished, clear, concise resume that demonstrates your unique skills and qualifications!
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