Your resume header is the first thing a recruiter sees. It should tell them who you are and how to reach you in a couple of seconds. Here’s what belongs in it and how to lay it out.
What to Include
- Full name, the largest text on the page.
- Phone number you actually answer.
- Professional email address, ideally a version of your name.
- Location: city and state or country is enough. You don’t need your full street address.
- LinkedIn profile URL, customised if possible (linkedin.com/in/yourname).
- Optional: a portfolio, GitHub or personal website if it’s relevant to the role.
What to Leave Out
- A photo (in the US and UK, most employers prefer resumes without one).
- Date of birth, marital status or other personal details.
- An unprofessional email address.
- The word “Resume” as a title. It’s obvious what the document is.
Example: Standard Header
Maria Lopez
Chicago, IL · (312) 555-0147 · [email protected] · linkedin.com/in/marialopez
Example: With a Portfolio
James Chen
Product Designer
San Francisco, CA · (415) 555-0199 · [email protected] · jameschen.design
Example: Software Engineer
Priya Nair
Software Engineer
Remote (Austin, TX) · [email protected] · github.com/priyanair · linkedin.com/in/priyanair
Should You Add a Job Title?
A short title under your name, such as “Data Analyst”, helps recruiters place you quickly. Use the title of the role you’re applying for if it honestly matches your experience.
Formatting Tips
- Keep it to two or three lines so your experience starts high on the page.
- Put the header in the main body of the document rather than a Word header or footer, because some applicant tracking systems skip those areas.
- Use the same header on your cover letter so your application looks consistent.
Next, make the rest of your resume just as clear. Our resume word guides suggest stronger alternatives to overused words.
Get Help in the Interview Itself
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