How to write an effective resume header—with 5 examples!

Your resume header is arguably one of the most important elements of your resume. Much like turning in homework without your name on it, if you don’t include your name and contact information, you won’t get credit for your work!

However, you can’t just throw all your info onto your resume. It needs to be professional, easy to read, and strategically placed so that it’s seen by the hiring manager, and they have what they need to get in touch with you via email, phone, or social media. We’ll give you the lowdown on how to make the most out of your resume header and get you one step closer to landing an interview.

What is a professional resume header?

Simply put, a resume header is the contact information you put at the top of your resume so that a recruiter can get a hold of you. It might seem rudimentary, but it can make or break your chances of getting an interview. If you leave it off, not only will they not call you, but it shows a definite lack of attention to detail! It’s also the hiring manager’s first impression of your professional brand. The whole point of a resume header is to grab his or her attention and entice them to keep reading your resume.

Don’t confuse the header function in Word with a resume header, as they serve very different functions. While you might be tempted to place your contact information in a Word header, you should avoid doing so. Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), used by many companies to sort and rank applicant resumes, cannot read the information in the Word headers so your resume might get discarded. Also, avoid using text boxes for your contact information—again, the ATS can’t read it. 

What to include in your resume header

Whether you’re a fresh grad just starting or a seasoned professional, one thing everyone’s resume will have in common is a resume header. After all, it’s the best way to tell a hiring manager how to get in touch with you. You could have the greatest qualifications in the world, and be exactly what he or she is looking for, but without that resume header, you’ll never even get a phone call!

While you want your information to be accurate, complete, and easily readable, you don’t need every single method of communication on your resume or every one of your social media profile handles. And don’t bother putting the word “resume” above your name. True, people do it, but that doesn’t mean it’s necessary. 

Your first and last name

The first thing you should write in your resume header is, you guessed it, your name. Use whatever name you use professionally, For example, if you recently got married and now use a different last name, you can include your maiden name in parenthesis. If you have a very common name, consider using a middle initial so that the recruiter doesn’t confuse you with someone else. And if you regularly use a nickname at work and are widely known by it, you can include it in quotation marks between your first and last name. For example:

• Mary (Jones) Smith 

• William H. Johnson

• Donald Pearson, Jr.

• Susan Harris-Boone

• Charles “Chip” Harrison III

A job title

Add your job title, such as “graphic designer,” “account manager,” or “sales director” underneath your name in your resume header. If you have a relevant certification or license, you can incorporate that into your name, such as “John Miller, CPA” or “Angela Thompson, LPN.”

Your location

In the past, applicants used to include their street address on their resume, but this is no longer done, largely for safety reasons. Only list your city and state. If you’re applying for a job that’s far from where you live, you can include “Willing to relocate” in your header if that is the case for you.

A phone number

This is important to include, as it’s the most likely way a recruiter will contact you. Use a phone number that you use frequently, such as your cell or mobile number (just change the outgoing greeting so that it sounds professional). Don’t use your current work number, if you have one, as that could cause issues with your current employer.

Your email address

Email is another common way hiring managers reach out to applicants. You may want to set up an email address that is dedicated to job applications, so that it sounds professional and doesn’t get lost among your personal emails. And it goes without saying, but we’ll say it anyway: don’t use your work email address.

Your LinkedIn URL

Most recruiters will check your LinkedIn profile, if you have one. If so, and it’s complete and up-to-date, include it under your email address. If you already haven’t done so, consider getting a personalized URL. It’s much easier to read and looks professional. To do this:

• Open your LinkedIn profile in your browser.

• Select “edit public profile and URL” on the right side of the page, near the top.

• Click the pencil icon located next to your URL

• Choose your new URL. Consider using your first and last name with no spaces, with a middle initial or a word identifying your profession.

• Click Save. That’s it!

Other relevant websites

If you have another professional website, you can include it under your LinkedIn URL. Don’t include links to your personal social media accounts or a blog you write for fun; keep it specific to your profession. Professional websites you can include in your header include:

• Online portfolio

• GitHub

• Social media, such as Instagram (only if you use it for business or professional branding)

How do you make your header look professional?

If you’re not using the Resume Builder (which professionally formats your header automatically), you’ll want to take a moment to make your header look eye-catching and hiring manager-ready. Here are a few tips to make your resume header look professional:

• Keep it straightforward. Your name should be listed first, in size 16, 18, or 20 so that it is easy to see.

• Avoid frilly or decorative fonts that might be harder to read, especially if you’re in a more traditional industry. Creative fields can incorporate small graphics or a bit of color, but don't go overboard.

• Keep things consistent: your header should use the same font as the rest of your resume.

• Proofread your information: you don’t want a typo in your phone number, email address, or even your name. Read it over carefully before you hit “send.”

• Leave some space between your header and the body of your resume, otherwise, your header won’t stand out.

How to write a resume header

You now know what information to include, so let's look at the steps you should take when writing your resume header.

1. Format your header 

No matter which type of resume you choose to create, your header should be at the top of the page so that the hiring manager sees it right away. You can choose to center your header in the middle of the page or align it with the left margin. To keep it consistent, use the same font in your header as the rest of your resume.

2. Ensure your name stands out

Use a larger font size so that recruiters spot it right away. Make sure the name on your resume matches the one you use on your other professional profiles. For example, if your full name is Michael but you go by Mike on your online portfolio and LinkedIn, then use Sam on your resume.

3. Place your title underneath your name

This is also helpful for passing the ATS, as the job title is likely one of the keywords in the job description. If you have a profession where the certifications/licenses are commonly used, such as “PMP” or “SPHR,” enter them after your name.

4. List your location

You can include your location, such as “Chicago, IL” but don’t include your street address or zipcode. Hiring managers often want to know if they’re hiring a local candidate, so your city and state is all that is necessary. Use “Willing to relocate” or “Relocating in [date]” if applicable.

5. Provide your phone number & email address

Use the full format of your phone number, including the area code. You don’t have to include “1,” as most people know to enter it when dialing outside their area code. 

List your phone number underneath your phone number. It’s okay if it shows an active link. In fact, it might be helpful; if the recruiter wants to contact you all they have to do is click on the link instead of typing out your email address. And if you’re using an old email address, such as AOL or hotlink, consider updating to something more modern, such as gmail.

6. Include your URLs

The web addresses of your professional website accounts, such as LinkedIn or your online portfolio should be placed last in your header, beneath your phone number and email address. You don’t have to include “www” anymore (or “http://” for that matter).

5 Examples of good resume headers

Whether you’re writing your first resume or your 10th, use these resume header examples for some inspiration:

1. Basic resume header example

Ariel Gomez

Nurse Practitioner

Chicago, Illinois

314-397-3947

[email protected]

2. Resume header example for an entry-level professional

Amanda McBride

Denver, Colorado 

147-934-7948 

[email protected]

3. Resume header example for an experienced professional

Sarah Portsmith

Digital Marketing Specialist, Certified Digital Marketing Associate

New York, NY

294-379-4719

[email protected]

sarahportsmith.portfolio.com

4. Resume header example for someone who’s relocating

Alex Norwell, Sales Representative

Relocating to Los Angeles, CA in April 2025 

374-397-1738 

[email protected]

linkedin.com/in/alexnorwell123/

5. Resume header example for someone with a recent name change

Emma (Caldwell) Davis CPA

Finance Manager

Houston, Texas

837-491-7394

[email protected]

linkedin.com/in/ecaldwell

Need a little more help with your resume? Check out career.io’s library of resume templates. Along with the resume builder, you can craft an interview-worthy resume quickly and easily.

Key takeaways

1. Your resume header is generally the first part of your resume that a hiring manager reviews, so it’s worth taking the time to make it appear professional.

2. A resume header usually includes your name, job title, location, phone number, and email address.

3. You can add optional details to your header, like credentials and relevant links, to distinguish your resume from others.

4. Review some examples of good resume headers to help you create your own, or use the Resume Builder.