Don’t Neglect to Include a Resume Headline
Leave them guessing or tell them what you came here for? The importance of a newspaper headline can determine whether you read the article or not. The same could be said about your resume. A resume headline is important in communicating to the reader the exact position you are interested in and what sets you apart as a candidate. Excluding a resume headline means the recruiter or hiring manager is going to have to dig through your resume and make an educated guess as to what 
it is you want to do.
Don’t make the hiring manager go looking for information.
You’ll risk taking the chance that he or she won’t go looking at all. Don’t make the hiring manager guess which position you’re applying for either. They could guess wrong, and then you won’t get the interview you wanted.
Always include a job target or job title.
Easily customizable as you apply for different positions; in a larger/bolded font at the top of your resume, clearly write the position title.
A concise one-line sentence is a great way to communicate your value as an employee.
Beneath the job title include a one-liner that clearly articulates your value proposition. Know your position in the marketplace and what you can offer the employer that other viable candidates cannot. This is your ticket to standing out versus blending into the crowd.
I don’t know about you, but I’m a visual person; so if you’re like me and you’d like to actually see some examples of what I’m talking about regarding the headline and job title issue check out our resume samples page.
Share this post:
About the author
Jessica Hernandez, President, CEO & Founder of Great Resumes Fast
Hi, I’m Jessica. I started this company back in 2008 after more than a decade directing hiring practices at Fortune 500 companies.
What started as a side hustle (before that was even a word!) helping friends of friends with their resumes has now grown into a company that serves hundreds of happy clients a year. But the personal touch? I’ve kept that.
You might have seen me featured as a resume expert in publications like Forbes, Fast Company, and Fortune. And in 2020, I was honored to be named as a LinkedIn Top Voice of the year!
I’m so glad you’re here, and I can’t wait to help you find your next perfect-fit position!
5 Comments
Leave a Comment
Improve Your Resume: Download Your Free Executive Resume Template Today
Are you struggling to create an executive resume that will impress employers? Download this free executive resume template and receive a series of 10 emails with expert guidance on how to write resume content that resonates with employers so you get more interviews.
It's everything you need to stand out, make an impression, and accelerate your job search.
Work with Us
The “Billboard” or “Headline” is arguably the most important part of the resume. My job as a writer is to make it simple for the reader. If they have to search through the resume to figure out what your speciality is, they will probably hit the “delete” button.
Agreed!
I agree! Using a Header or Headline is a great way to ‘sell’ yourself by summing up your areas of expertise in a nutshell! By placing your areas of expertise at the top – literally and figuratively -it captures the interest of a prospective employer immediately and lets them know straight away what you have to offer.
One strategy for formulating the Header is to write your work history and educational background first, highlighting achievement statements by showing the value you added in any particular role. When you see that before you, it’s much easier to recognize your areas of expertise, the areas where you excel and enjoy, so that you can begin to write your Header. Thinking about how you work – your working style – helps you describe yourself in the Header.
For example, are you Dedicated, Hard-working, or committed?
[…] Leave them guessing or tell them what you came here for? The importance of a newspaper headline can determine whether you read the article or not. The same could be said about your resume. A resume headline is important in communicating to the reader the exact Read more……Donâ??t Neglect to Include a Resume Headline […]
I loved as much as you’ll receive carried out right here. The sketch is
attractive, your authored subject matter stylish. nonetheless, you command get
got an shakiness over that you wish be delivering the following.
unwell unquestionably come more formerly again since exactly the same
nearly very often inside case you shield this increase.