What is a headline on a resume?
A headline on a resume is a title that summarizes your qualifications. Also known as a resume tagline, the headline goes under your resume header and features catchy wording that prompts employers to keep reading.
Here are some examples of good headlines for well-written resumes:
35 resume title examples
We’ve compiled 35 good resume title examples across multiple industries for both entry-level and experienced candidates. Each of these headlines gives a quick yet impressive summary of the applicant:
Engineering & software development
1. Award-Winning Chemical Engineering Researcher
2. Expert Software Engineer Knowledgeable in Python and C++
3. PE Licensed Mechanical Engineer with Oil Industry Experience
4. Graduate Electrical Engineering Student and Published Research Assistant
5. DOT Structural Engineer Experienced in Bridge Evaluation
Business & management
6. Organized Project Manager and Part-Time MBA Student
7. Communicative Administrative Assistant with Extensive Software Knowledge
8. Straight-A Business Major and Chamber of Commerce Volunteer
9. Marine Veteran with 15 Years of Leadership Experience
10. Professional Writer Specializing in Business Proposals and Grants
Marketing & sales
11. Top-Grossing Medical Device Sales Manager
12. Friendly B2B Sales Rep Who Exceeds Targets by 30%
13. Marketing Student with EDMMarketing Experience
14. Online Marketing Manager Responsible for $500,000+ in Yearly Sales
15. Non-Profit Social Media Specialist with 10 Years of Experience
Customer service & retail
16. Bilingual Call Center Agent with 8 Years of Experience
17. Outgoing Retail Associate Well-Versed in Men’s Fashion
18. Warehouse Manager with 15 Years of Forklift Experience
19. Friendly, Reliable Cashier and Bagger
20. Bank Branch Manager and Business Management Student
Accounting & finance
21. Detail-Oriented Certified Public Accountant Specializing in Small Businesses
22. Senior Financial Controller with 10 Years’ Executive Experience
23. Honors Finance Student and Top-Rated Bank Intern
24. Part-Time Tax Preparer Skilled in Multiple Tax Preparation Software Packages
25. Financial Data Analyst with Bank and Insurance Experience
Education & human services
26. K12 Teacher Skilled at Assessing and Guiding 150+ Students Per Term
27. Social Worker with 7+ Years’ Experience Leading 2–4 Weekly Therapy Groups
28. CPR/AED Certified Lifeguard Ensuring Safety for 100+ Swimmers Daily
29. Teacher Assistant Successfully Managing Classes of 30+ Students
30. Certified Public Librarian and Recent Recipient of an MA in Library Science
Healthcare & wellbeing
31. AAMA/CPT Certified Medical Assistant Passionate about Healthcare
32. Certified Nurse with Experience Communicating in English and Spanish
33. Medical Receptionist with 10 Years’ Experience Handling Patient Intake
34. Newly Graduated RN with Emergency Clinical Experience
35. Physician Assistant with 5 Years’ Experience Treating Patients of All Ages
How to write a good headline for your resume
Here are five tips for writing a headline that will make the hiring manager want to read your whole resume:
1. Use title case
A resume headline is a title, so it should be capitalized as such. The first word of a title is always in upper case. Nouns, verbs, and adjectives are also capitalized.
Short words that are not nouns, verbs, or adjectives are only capitalized if they’re the first word in the title. Here’s a useful tool that automatically capitalizes your title.
2. Add keywords from the job ad
Hard and soft skills keywords in a job posting tell you exactly what the company wants in an applicant. Hiring managers scan resumes for those keywords, so use the keywords that apply to you in your resume title.
Also, some employers use applicant tracking system (ATS) software to scan resumes for keywords. If your resume contains the keywords they’re searching for, you’ll be more likely to receive a job interview.
Here’s a sample job ad with skills for your resume underlined:
3. Include an achievement (with hard numbers)
An accomplishment backed up with quantifiable data makes your headline less generic and more impressive. Hard numbers show the hiring manager you’re qualified instead of you merely telling them you’re qualified. Professional accomplishments to list on your resume include degrees, licenses, certifications, and specific experiences.
Examples of quantifiable data include:
- Years of experience
- Number of awards won
- Dollar amount of sales made
- Amount of product sold
- Number of people managed
Here’s an example of a resume headline with achievements supported by hard numbers:
Social Media Marketer with 5+ Years’ Experience Growing Organic Traffic by 15%+ Each Quarter
4. Cut cliches
Use detailed information and resume adjectives that apply specifically to you, not to everyone applying for the job. A generic resume headline with overused words like “skilled,” “motivated,” or “hard-working” won’t make you stand out.
Here’s an example of a cliche headline retooled with unique resume words:
Highly Skilled Graphic Designer Seeking a Full-Time Job at a Sports Website
Award-Winning Designer with 100+ Images Published on National Sports Sites
5. Keep it short
The best resume headline is short — if your headline is too long, the hiring manager might not read all of it.
Keep your resume headline between 1 and 2 lines. Once it spills onto a third line, it becomes a summary rather than a headline. If you have more to say, include a resume summary or profile beneath your short resume headline.
Here’s an example:
Award-Winning Designer with 100+ Images Published on National Sports Sites
Graphic designer with 6+ years of experience applying Photoshop expertise to creating images of athletes for various online and offline publications. Winner of a 2021 World Sports Photography Award and credited for 40+ syndicated photos across multiple sports. Eager to help your website grow by increasing the quality of your images.
Why is a resume headline important?
Eye-tracking studies have shown recruiters view each resume for an average of seven seconds before moving on. Why is that number so low? Here’s the answer:
Hiring managers receive hundreds of applications for each position, so they don’t have time to comb through each resume. If they don’t see relevant information as soon as they glance at your resume, they’ll click to the next one.
So if you want your resume to receive a fair critique, write a resume headline. A prominent resume headline catches the hiring manager’s attention with relevant skills and impressive achievements, ensuring your resume isn’t filtered out during the selection process.