Looking for ways to make your resume stand out? A powerful resume headline can help you do just that. Immediately grab hiring managers’ attention by writing a headline modeled after one of the examples below.
Our free-to-use resume builder can make you a resume in as little as 5 minutes. Pick the template you want, and our software will format everything for you.
What is a headline on a resume?
A headline on a resume is a title that summarizes your qualifications. Also known as a resume title or resume tagline, the headline goes under your name in the resume header and features catchy wording that prompts employers to keep reading.
Here’s how to write a resume with a compelling resume headline:
58 good resume title and headline examples
We’ve compiled examples of 58 good resume headlines across multiple industries for both entry-level and experienced candidates. Each of these headlines gives a quick yet impressive summary of the applicant’s qualifications:
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
6. Network Engineer Passionate About Building and Troubleshooting Systems
7. Software Engineer Responsible for Programming 3 AAA Video Games
8. Civil Engineer Specializing in Waste Management Infrastructure
Business & management
9. Organized Project Manager and Part-Time MBA Student
10. Communicative Administrative Assistant with Extensive Software Knowledge
11. Straight-A Business Major and Chamber of Commerce Volunteer
12. Marine Veteran with 15 Years of Leadership Experience
13. Professional Writer Specializing in Business Proposals and Grants
14. Senior Manager With a Passion for Developing Young Talent
15. Factory Manager Leading Production of 3 Million Units Per Day
16. Project Manager With a Talent for Implementing Efficient Workflows
Marketing & sales
17. Top-Grossing Medical Device Sales Manager
18. Friendly B2B Sales Rep Who Exceeds Targets by 30%
19. Marketing Student with EDM Marketing Experience
20. Online Marketing Manager Responsible for $500,000+ in Yearly Sales
21. Non-Profit Social Media Specialist with 10 Years of Experience
Customer service & retail
22. Bilingual Call Center Agent with 8 Years of Experience
23. Outgoing Retail Associate Well-Versed in Men’s Fashion
24. Warehouse Manager with 15 Years of Forklift Experience
25. Friendly, Reliable Cashier and Bagger
26. Bank Branch Manager and Business Management Student
27. Senior Customer Care Agent With 8+ Years’ Experience Resolving Conflict
28. Live Chat Specialist With Proven Multitasking Skills and 73 WPM Typing Speed
29. Cheerful Customer Service Representative Comfortable Handling 80+ Calls Daily
Accounting & finance
30. Detail-Oriented Certified Public Accountant Specializing in Small Businesses
31. Senior Financial Controller with 10 Years’ Executive Experience
32. Honors Finance Student and Top-Rated Bank Intern
33. Part-Time Tax Preparer Skilled in Multiple Tax Preparation Software Packages
34. Financial Data Analyst with Bank and Insurance Experience
Education & human services
35. K12 Teacher Skilled at Assessing and Guiding 150+ Students Per Term
36. Social Worker with 7+ Years’ Experience Leading 2–4 Weekly Therapy Groups
37. CPR/AED Certified Lifeguard Ensuring Safety for 100+ Swimmers Daily
38. Teacher Assistant Successfully Managing Classes of 30+ Students
39. Certified Public Librarian and Recent Recipient of an MA in Library Science
Healthcare
40. AAMA/CPT Certified Medical Assistant Passionate about Healthcare
41. Certified Nurse with Experience Communicating in English and Spanish
42. Medical Receptionist with 10 Years’ Experience Handling Patient Intake
43. Newly Graduated RN with Emergency Clinical Experience
44. Physician Assistant with 5 Years’ Experience Treating Patients of All Ages
Students & recent graduates
45. Software Engineering Student with Expertise in Software Design, Development, and Testing
46. Recent Journalism Graduate with Internship Experience in Print and Broadcast Media
47. Urban Planning Student with a Passion for Sustainability and Community Development
48. Economics Graduate with Financial Analysis and Business Strategy Expertise
49. Proactive Law Graduate with Proven Legal Research and Problem Solving Skills
50. Criminology Major With 40+ Hours of Police Intern and Ride-along Experience
51. NCAA Scholarship Athlete and Championship-Winning Volunteer Coach
52. University Senior Pursuing a BFA in Graphic Design and Proficient in Photoshop
Entry-level job seekers
53. Recent Graduate With 80+ Hours’ German–English Simultaneous Interpretation
54. Avid Reader with a BS in Library Science and 2+ Years as a Library Intern
55. Certified Personal Trainer Dedicated to Designing Diet and Exercise Regimens
Experienced candidates
56. Talent Manager With 10+ Years’ Experience and $18 Million+ Yearly Revenue
57. Campaign Manager Who’s Guided 4 Politicians to the NY State Senate in 7+ Years
58. Financial Analyst Responsible for Savings of $10 Million Over an 8-Year Career
One of the best ways to make your resume is by filling out one of our free resume templates. All our templates are designed by experts and free to download for Microsoft Word or Google Docs.
How to write a good resume headline
Here are six tips for writing a headline that will make the hiring manager want to read your whole resume:
1. Add keywords from the job ad
Keywords in a job posting tell you exactly what the company wants in an applicant. Resume keywords are hard and soft skills, qualifications, and experience that make you suitable for the role. Hiring managers scan resumes for those keywords, so use words that apply to you in your resume headline.
You can usually find relevant keywords under “Requirements” or “Key qualifications” in the job ad.
2. Include an achievement (with a number)
The more specific your resume headline is, the better. An accomplishment backed up with quantifiable data makes your headline more impressive. Hard numbers show the hiring manager that you’re qualified for the role. 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
4. Make your resume headline unique
Use detailed information and descriptive 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.
4. Capitalize your headline using 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.
5. Keep it short
The best resume headlines are short and impactful.
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 resume profile beneath your short resume headline.
6. Use your target job title
The job title you use in your headline can be your target job title. It’s okay if it’s somewhat aspirational, but it should be in line with your experience and career trajectory. So, for example, if you recently quit your job in academia to pursue a career in data science, a good resume headline could be:
Knowledgeable Data Scientist With a Ph.D. in Computer Science
This headline is aspirational yet grounded. It reflects your (hypothetical) transition from academia to data science while showcasing your advanced education in computer science.
Now, let’s look at a bad example:
Internationally Recognized Researcher and Data Scientist
This headline may catch attention, but unless you’ve actually earned international recognition, the headline’s misleading and can damage your credibility.
Similarly, if you’re applying for a management position but don’t have any management experience, don’t use managerial titles like “Marketing Manager” in your headline. It’ll only take a brief glance over the rest of your resume to make employers question your claim and see it as a red flag.
It’s essential to maintain honesty and accuracy in your resume to build trust with potential employers.
Need some examples? Check out our list of 380 job titles for your resume.
Frequently asked questions about resume headlines
Want to know more about resume headlines? See our answers to some of the most commonly asked questions below.
Why is a resume headline important?
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 review, include 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.
What’s a good headline for Indeed or ZipRecruiter?
When you set up an account with any professional job search platform – like Indeed, ZipRecruiter, or LinkedIn – you’ll be able to put a headline on your profile to give employers a snapshot of who you are as a candidate.
The profile headline you choose should be similar to your resume headline, including your professional title (or your target job title) and an accomplishment in one brief line or sentence. Your profile headline should serve as a hook to get employers interested, so make it as catchy as you can.
Don’t see your question here? Check out some of our other related resources:
- How to Choose a Resume Name (With Examples)
- Resume Header: 3+ Best Heading Examples
- What should you name your resume file?
- How to Create a Resume PDF (+ 10 Free Templates)
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Corissa Peterson
Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) & Content Editor
A dedicated member of the Resume Genius team with a passion for the career space, Corissa is always looking for ways to create useful resources for job seekers, from writing job-specific resume samples to crafting in-depth articles on how to ace interviews. Corissa graduated from the University of Colorado at Boulder with a B.A. in Philosophy and a certificate in Peace and Conflict Studies. Corissa’s articles have been published on Diversity Jobs, Recruiter.com, Teachstone, and Jobillico, among others, and her career advice has been featured in Forbes, Bloomberg Businessweek, GOBankingRates, and UpJourney. You can connect with her on LinkedIn.
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