50+ Resume Headline Examples [+ How to Write One]

In today's competitive job market, a well-crafted resume headline can be the difference between landing your dream job and getting overlooked by potential employers. While the content of your resume is essential, a resume headline is the first thing a hiring or recruitment manager will see, and how it's structured can make a significant impact in landing you an interview.

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What is a headline on a resume?

A resume headline, also known as a resume title, is a short statement or phrase that appears at the top of your resume, just below your name and contact information. The purpose of a resume headline is to quickly and effectively communicate your value proposition as a strong candidate.

As resume writing expert Claire Madison explains, “Years ago, people used to write a whole paragraph on top of their resume explaining why they were writing the resume. Today, that act seems self-explanatory as we use the resume to apply for a specific job. So, instead of allocating valuable resume space for an objective statement that doesn’t add value to your job application, you can opt to write a resume summary statement and a resume headline.”

A good headline should convey what you can do, your relevant experience, or your key achievements in a clear and concise manner that entices the employer to read further. Certified Professional Resume Writer Natalia Merced describes it best: “A headline for a resume is a snappy one-liner that spotlights your work experience and resume skills.”

 For example: 

• “Marketing Manager with 8+ Years Driving Brand Growth for Tech Startups”
• “Registered Nurse Specializing in Emergency Care and Patient Advocacy”
• “Software Engineer Skilled in Python, SQL, and Cloud Infrastructure”

Think of it as your personal brand statement or elevator pitch that summarizes your professional identity and makes you stand out from other candidates.

Your number one goal is to make a hiring manager stop in their tracks and have their interest piqued enough that they'll want to find out more about you. A well-crafted resume headline can help you grab the attention of potential employers and increase your chances of being invited for an interview.

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Why write a resume headline?

You might be wondering why a resume title is important. Surely the other 90% of the page is where the real enticing information is? That may be the case, but there are added benefits that come with having a catchy headline.

• You're instantly grabbing the hiring manager's attention. ‍Going through hundreds of resumes is time consuming for recruiters, so they're only looking at each one for a few seconds. Having relevant information at the top of your resume means that they'll be more likely to stop at yours and keep reading to see if you're a good fit.
• Your strengths are front and center. ‍Even for less experienced applicants, you can establish credibility in your industry from the very beginning with your most relevant and highest qualifications and outcomes listed first.
• It makes your resume unique and contextual. Even with a similar work history, no applicant should have a headline that's exactly the same as yours. You're also helping hiring managers to understand where your experience fits into the broader picture and how it applies to the position you're hoping to get.
• You can include your resume headline on your online profiles, like LinkedIn. Many job applications require online profiles, and resume headlines are often displayed prominently on these platforms, which can help increase your visibility and attract potential employers.

A strong resume headline is an important part of your job search toolkit, helping you to make a great first impression and stand out from the competition.

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Resume headline examples

When you have limited words to play with, your resume headline needs to be as strong as possible. But how do you convey years, possibly even decades, of work into only one short phrase? 

Every industry will require something slightly different, but here are a few general resume examples to get you started:

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Resume headline examples for marketing, sales, or administrative roles

• Content Writer With 4+ Years’ Experience Writing Advertising Copy and Content in the Food and Beverage Industry.
• Social Media Manager With 5 Years' Experience Growing Online Presence and Increasing Engagement for Globally-Recognized B2C Brands.
• Senior Sales Account Manager for Luxury Goods and Retail Businesses, Consistently Hit Sales Goals the Past Four Quarters.
• Office Assistant With 7 Years' Experience in Schedule Management and Customer Service.
• Creative Marketing Professional with a Proven Track Record of Driving Sales Growth through Innovative Strategies.
• Results-Driven Digital Marketing Specialist with Expertise in SEO, PPC, and Social Media Marketing.
• Highly Organized Administrative Assistant with Strong Technical Skills and Collaborative Spirit.
• Dynamic Sales Manager with a Passion for Helping Clients Achieve their Financial Goals and Delivering Top-Notch Insurance Solutions.
• Experienced Graphic Designer with a Passion for Creative Solutions and Visual Storytelling.
• Creative and Analytical Marketing Manager with Expertise in Social Media Strategy.
• Personable Sales Representative with a Strong Customer Focus and Strategic Vision.

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Resume headline examples for technical, engineering, or IT positions

• Award-Winning Civil Engineer With 10+ Years' Experience in Government Agency Infrastructure Management.
• Highly Experienced Data Analyst for Healthcare and Wellbeing Businesses, Proficient in Power Bi and Tableau.
• Environmental Engineer With 3 Years' Experience in Climate-Friendly Building Supplies and Ecological Architecture.
• Experienced Field Engineer Specializing in Aerospace Design and Manufacturing.
• Experienced Technical Support Technician with Strong Troubleshooting and Customer Service Skills.
• Senior Member of Technical Staff with Strong Software Engineering and Distributed Systems Skills for Large-Scale Operations.
• Data-Driven Technical Specialist with Experience in Optimizing Business Processes and Improving Performance.
• Accomplished Mechanical Engineer with a Strong Background in Product Development and Project Management.
• Experienced Technical Support Professional with Expertise in SQL and Javascript.
• Data Analyst with expertise in SQL, Python, and Machine Learning for Process Improvement and Data-Driven Business Strategy.
• Experienced Manager of Risk Advisory and Consulting with Expertise in SOX and IT Audit and Cybersecurity Frameworks.
• Expert Software Engineer with Proven Track Record of Developing High-Quality Code.

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Resume headline examples for healthcare and professional services

• Registered Nurse With 10 Years' Emergency Room Experience and Experience Leading Outpatient Clinical Procedures.
• Tri-Lingual Pediatric Nurse With Experience Communicating With Patients in Spanish, French, and English.
• Senior Certified Public Accountant Specializing in Family Businesses and Succession Planning.
• Tax Preparer With Experience Using Proconnect Tax Online, Proseries Professional, Lacerte, and CCH Axcess Tax.
• Compassionate Registered Nurse with 10+ Years of Experience in Patient Care and Clinical Leadership.
• Skilled Healthcare Administrator with a Strong Background in Operations, Quality Improvement, and Regulatory Compliance.
• Compassionate Social Worker with MSW Degree and LGSW/LICSW Licensure, Dedicated to Delivering High-Quality Patient Care.
• Registered Dietitian with Expertise in Nutrition Policy and Guidance.
• Board Certified Oral Surgeon with Exceptional Clinical Expertise and Patient Care.
• Financial Inventory Specialist Driving Financial Optimization and Accuracy in Inventory Control Processes.
• Experienced Clinical Trial Attorney with Sound Legal Judgment and Strong Drafting Skills.

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Resume headline examples for management and leadership roles

• Navy Veteran With Over 20 Years' Experience Leading Project Management Teams of 10+ People.
• Operations Director Overseeing a $3 Million Annual Budget Across 7 Departments.
• Warehouse Manager With Experience Leading Departments of 50+ People, Over 10 Years of Forklift Experience and Efficiency-Focused Operational Skills.
• Group Director with 10+ Years' Experience and Expertise in Customer Experience Across Multiple Channels.
• Experienced Senior Project Manager with Proven Results in Strategic Sourcing, Negotiation, and People Management in Supply Chain and Operations Management.
• Inventory Manager with Expertise in Procurement, Item Management, and Financial Analysis for Optimal Supply Chain Performance.
• Data-Driven Project Leader Skilled in Managing and Developing High-Performing Teams.
• A Visionary Leader with 10+ Years of Expertise in Program Management and Global Technology Initiatives.
• Experienced Managing Director with Strong Leadership Skills in B2B Business Development and Strategy Building.
• Experienced Client Executive with Proven Track Record of Driving Revenue Growth and Building Strong Relationships.
• Strategic General Manager with 15 Years of Experience Transforming Business Operations Across Multiple Industries

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Resume headline examples for education roles

• Certified Special Education Autism Teacher with Exemplary Organization and Planning Skills.
• Dedicated Education Professional With 12 Years of Experience Developing Innovative Curriculum and Fostering Student-Centered Learning Environments.
• Veteran High School Teacher Proficient in Utilizing Technology and Subject Matter Expertise.
• Compassionate Elementary School Teacher Committed to Maintaining Professionalism and Constructive Working Relationships.
• Collaborative Special Education Co-teacher With 7+ Years of Experience and Ability to Adapt to New Directions and Deadlines With Composure.
• Experienced Paraprofessional With a Focus on Student Success and Support in Educational Environments.

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Resume headline examples for students

• Software developer intern with experience in Python, C++, HTML, Java and Unix.
• Aspiring Disease and Chronic Illness Researcher, Current Biology Student.
• Early Childhood Education Major with 2 Semesters of Hands-On Lab Experience and Student Teaching Experience.
• Innovative Computer Science Major with Strong Coding Skills and a Keen Interest in Artificial Intelligence.
• Proactive Journalism Major with Experience in Reporting and Editing for Campus and Community Publications.
• Creative Recent Graduate with a Passion for Design and a Strong Portfolio in Graphic Design.
• Detail-Oriented Recent Graduate with a Degree in Accounting and Relevant Internship Experience.
• Enthusiastic Recent Graduate with a Degree in Marketing and Experience in Social Media Management and Branding.
• Creative and Ambitious Marketing Intern with a Passion for Digital Media and Brand Strategy.
• Analytical and Driven Finance Intern with Experience in Data Analysis and Financial Modeling.

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Resume headline examples for freshers (recent graduates)

• Recent Computer Science Graduate with Internship Experience in Python, Java, and SQL Development
• Business Administration Graduate Skilled in Market Research, Financial Analysis, and Excel Modeling
• Entry-Level Graphic Designer with a Strong Portfolio in Branding and Digital Media
• Recent Graduate in Psychology with Research Experience in Cognitive Development
• Energetic Marketing Fresher with Hands-On Experience in Social Media Campaigns and Content Creation‍
• Recent Graduate with One Year of Experience as an Entry Level Data Analyst Supporting Business Intelligence Initiatives
• Mechanical Engineering Graduate with Final-Year Project in Renewable Energy Systems
• Recent Finance Graduate with Internship Experience in Risk Analysis and Portfolio Management
• Fresh Graduate in Education Passionate About Student Engagement and Innovative Teaching Methods

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How to write a resume headline

Your resume headline is typically the first thing a potential employer will see, so it's important to make it count. In this section, we'll explore how to write a compelling resume headline that will catch the attention of hiring managers and help you stand out from the crowd.

Here are some steps you can follow to write an effective resume headline:

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Keep it concise

Your headline should be brief and to the point, ideally no more than a few words or a short phrase. The purpose of the headline is to quickly summarize your skills and experience and grab the attention of the hiring manager. A concise headline is more likely to be read and remembered than a long, convoluted one.

As Teal Founder David Fano puts it: “How do you feel about a four-hour movie? That’s exactly how recruiters feel about your three-page resume. If a movie is really good, you’ll sit through all four hours. But that opening scene better hook you immediately.”

David says your resume works the same way. “We’re living in the attention economy—you have 7.4 seconds to capture a recruiter’s attention.” Your resume headline is the first place to do it.

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Tailor your resume headline to the job

A memorable resume headline should be customized to the job listing you are applying for. By tailoring your headline to the job, you're increasing the chances that your resume will catch the hiring manager's eye and get noticed.

A tailored headline shows that you've taken the time to understand the job requirements and have positioned yourself as a good fit for the position. This can help to increase your chances of being selected for an interview.

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Use a resume headline generator

You can simplify the process of writing a resume headline entirely with Teal's Resume Headline Generator tool, which writes a relevant headline based on both your career history and the details of the specific job you're optimizing the resume for.

Users often say the difference is immediate. One shared: “Just started using Teal today. It is amazing. I am having fun and have a strong handle on crafting a resume per JD. Just signed up for Plus. I'm no longer dreading this job search process. Thanks for creating this.”

With Teal, you can turn headline generating and resume building into more confident, even enjoyable, parts of the job search.

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Use relevant keywords in your resume headline

Before writing your headline, take some time to identify your key skills, qualifications, and achievements that are most relevant to the job you are applying for.

A well-crafted headline that's tailored to the job should include specific keywords from the job description. This will make it easier for the employer to see how you can contribute to their organization.

Use Teal's Resume Builder to quickly compare the skills and keywords in the job posting to those in your resume. Make sure to add any relevant experience to your customized resume and to your application answers.

Use action words

Use strong resume action verbs and descriptive language to convey your skills and experience. For example, instead of "Experienced Sales Associate," try "Proven Sales Leader with 5+ Years of Experience."

Software Engineer Archana Giri remembers submitting her first resume and realizing later that it lacked impact. A mentor pointed out that her descriptions felt passive: “Show them what you’ve done, don’t just tell them,” the mentor said. That’s when she learned the power of action words.

She now advises job seekers to swap passive phrasing for verbs that show results. A few of her go-to choices are:

1. Led: Showcase leadership roles, whether you led a project or a team (e.g., “Led a team of five to develop a software solution”).
2. Developed: Highlight how you created or improved a product, process, or system (e.g., “Developed a new onboarding system, reducing training time by 30%”).
3. Implemented: Use this for when you put ideas or strategies into action (e.g., “Implemented a marketing strategy that increased engagement by 20%”).

Her perspective applies to resume headlines too. Instead of stopping at a title, you can layer in an action or result that shows impact. For example:

• “Project Manager Who Led Global Rollout of a $2M Software Platform”
• “Designer Who Created Award-Winning Campaigns for Fortune 500 Brands”
• “Sales Professional Who Increased Territory Revenue by 30%”

Action words don’t just strengthen your bullet points; they can transform your headline from a static label into a proof point of what you’ve achieved. This gives recruiters a reason to keep reading.

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Show value in your headline

A good resume headline should communicate your unique value proposition and what sets you apart from other job seekers. Consider highlighting any awards, certifications, or other impressive achievements that make you stand out.

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Proofread your headline

Once you have drafted your headline, review it for clarity, relevance, and impact. Revise as needed to ensure it is an accurate reflection of your skills and experience and is tailored to the job you are applying for. Teal’s Resume Checker is a helpful tool to get quick insights into the best resume formats, ATS compatibility, and any weak spots in your resume headline.

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How can I make a good resume headline that stands out?

A great resume headline that stands out typically has certain qualities. Here are some tips for writing a resume headline that gets noticed:

1. Clarity: The headline is clear and easy to understand, even for someone who is not familiar with your industry or profession.
2. Impact: The headline makes a strong impression and captures the reader's attention. It should communicate your unique value proposition and highlight your most relevant skills and experience.
3. Differentiation: The headline sets you apart from other candidates and highlights what makes you unique.
4. Quantifiable: If possible, include quantifiable bullet points or metrics that demonstrate your skills or accomplishments in your headline.
5. Positive and enthusiastic: Use positive language and avoid clichés and negative words or phrases. Your headline should convey enthusiasm and confidence in your abilities.
6. Use title case: Capitalizing the first letter of each major word in your resume headline using title case can enhance its readability and professionalism.
7. Echo the voice in the JD: Mirror the tone and language of the job description. This shows you understand the company’s culture and helps your application resonate with the employer. Matching the phrasing also improves your chances of passing through applicant tracking systems (ATS), which scan for relevant keywords.

Pro Tip: Use Teal’s Job Description Match tool to quickly see which keywords and phrases from the posting you should pull into your headline and resume. It takes the guesswork out of tailoring your application.

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What's the difference between a resume headline and a resume title?

The terms "resume headline" and "resume title" are often used interchangeably, but they can have slightly different meanings depending on the context.

In general, a resume headline or title refers to a short phrase or sentence that appears at the top of a resume and serves as a concise resume summary of the candidate's experience and qualifications.

Some people use the term "resume headline" specifically to refer to a brief statement that highlights the candidate's most relevant skills or achievements, while "resume title" may refer to the name or title of the job the candidate is applying for.

Ultimately, the specific terminology may vary depending on the industry, job market, or individual preferences of the candidate or employer. The most important thing is to make sure that the resume headline or title effectively communicates the candidate's strengths and piques the employer's interest in reading further.

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Create a strong resume headline with Teal

No matter what industry you work in, presenting yourself as the ideal candidate to fill an open position should always be top of mind when updating your resume. 

Clear and concise resume headlines are the best way to get noticed and move your application to the top of the hiring manager's stack.

With Teal's Resume Builder, you can create a customized resume headline that grabs the attention of any recruiter. With several professional templates to choose from and seamless integration to pull information from your LinkedIn account, you can quickly put together the information you need to tailor your resume for each job application.

One Teal user summed it up well: “Teal is a game-changer for anyone job-hunting. Not only does it help track your applications, but with resume and cover letter writing, interview prep instructions, and a host of other features, Teal is well worth the price! 10/10, highly recommend!”

Explore how Teal's Resume Headline Generator can craft impactful, tailored headlines that align with your job goals.

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