Perfecting the Resume Header: Essential Tips for Maximum Impact

Your resume header is the first thing recruiters see when they open your application. In those crucial first seconds, a well-designed header establishes your professional identity, provides essential contact information, and sets the tone for everything that follows. Despite its apparent simplicity, the resume header deserves careful attention—poor formatting or missing information can undermine even the strongest candidacies.

This comprehensive guide will teach you how to create a professional, polished resume header that makes the right impression and ensures recruiters can easily reach you for interviews.

What Is a Resume Header?

A resume header is the top section of your resume that contains your name, contact information, and professional links. It serves as your professional identity card, telling recruiters who you are and how to reach you.

Why Your Resume Header Matters

First Impressions Count: The header is the first element recruiters see. A clean, professional header creates a positive initial impression, while a cluttered or unprofessional one can immediately damage your credibility.

Contact Accessibility: If recruiters can’t find your contact information quickly, they may move on to the next candidate. Your header should make it effortless for hiring managers to reach you.

Professional Branding: Your header contributes to your overall personal brand. The fonts, formatting, and information you include all communicate something about your professionalism and attention to detail.

ATS Compatibility: Applicant Tracking Systems need to parse your contact information correctly. A well-structured header ensures your name, email, and phone number are properly captured in their databases.

Essential Information for Your Resume Header

Your Name

Your name should be the most prominent element in your header—typically the largest text on the page.

Best Practices:

• Use your professional name (the name you use in professional settings)
• Make it larger than other text (typically 18-24 point font)
• Consider using bold or a slightly different font weight
• Include credentials after your name if relevant (MBA, CPA, PhD, RN, etc.)

Examples:

• SARAH JOHNSON
• Michael Chen, PMP
• Dr. Amanda Williams, PhD
• Jennifer Martinez-Lopez

What to Avoid:

• Nicknames (unless that’s how you’re professionally known)
• Middle names (unless needed to distinguish yourself)
• Decorative titles like “Mr.” or “Ms.”

Phone Number

Provide one phone number where you can reliably be reached.

Best Practices:

• Use a personal cell phone, not a work number
• Ensure your voicemail is professional
• Consider formatting: (555) 123-4567 or 555-123-4567
• Don’t include multiple phone numbers

International Applications: If applying internationally, include your country code: +1 (555) 123-4567

Email Address

Your email is often the primary way recruiters will contact you.

Best Practices:

• Use a professional email address
• Ideal format: [email protected] or [email protected]
• Use a mainstream provider (Gmail, Outlook)
• Avoid work email addresses

What to Avoid:

• Unprofessional handles ([email protected])
• Numbers that could indicate age ([email protected])
• Outdated providers (AOL, Hotmail may appear dated to some)
• Work email (signals you’re job searching to current employer)

Location

You don’t need to include your full street address—a city and state are sufficient.

Best Practices:

• Include city and state (or city and country for international)
• Abbreviate state names (NY, CA, TX)
• Consider including “Remote” or “Open to relocation” if relevant
• For privacy, you can use metro area: “Greater Boston Area”

Examples:

• Boston, MA
• San Francisco, CA | Open to Remote
• New York Metropolitan Area
• Austin, TX (Relocating July 2024)

When to Include Full Address:

• If the job specifically requests it
• If you’re applying locally and want to emphasize proximity
• Government or security clearance positions may require it

LinkedIn Profile

Including your LinkedIn profile is standard practice and expected by most employers.

Best Practices:

• Customize your LinkedIn URL: linkedin.com/in/yourname
• Ensure your profile is complete and consistent with your resume
• Use a shortened version: linkedin.com/in/sarahjohnson

How to Customize:

1. Go to your LinkedIn profile
2. Click “Edit public profile & URL”
3. Click the pencil icon next to your URL
4. Create a custom URL (typically your name)

Professional Website or Portfolio

If you have a relevant professional website, portfolio, or online presence, include it.

When to Include:

• Creative professionals (designers, writers, artists)
• Developers and tech professionals (GitHub)
• Consultants or freelancers with personal sites
• Professionals with relevant blogs or industry content

Examples:

• sarahjohnsondesign.com
• github.com/sarahjohnson
• portfolio.sarahjohnson.com

Optional Header Elements

Professional Title

Some candidates include a professional title or target role beneath their name.

Examples:

• Senior Software Engineer
• Marketing Manager | Digital Strategist
• Certified Public Accountant

When to Include:

• When your current job title directly matches your target role
• When you want to immediately establish your professional identity
• When space permits without cluttering the header

Credentials and Certifications

If you hold significant credentials relevant to your field, include them after your name.

Common Credentials:

• Academic degrees: PhD, MD, JD, MBA
• Professional certifications: CPA, PMP, PHR, RN, PE
• Industry certifications: CISSP, AWS Certified, Google Analytics

Example: JENNIFER CHEN, CPA, MBA

What NOT to Include in Your Resume Header

Full Street Address

Street addresses are outdated and unnecessary in most cases. They take up space, raise privacy concerns, and can lead to location-based discrimination.

Photo

Unless you’re applying in a country where photos are standard (parts of Europe, Asia), do not include a photo. In the United States, Canada, and the UK, photos can lead to unconscious bias and are discouraged.

Personal Information

Do not include:

• Date of birth or age
• Marital status
• Social security number
• Immigration status
• Religious affiliation
• Personal social media (Facebook, Instagram)

Objective Statement in Header

Keep your header focused on contact information. Your objective or summary should be a separate section below the header.

Unprofessional Links

Avoid including:

• Personal social media profiles
• Personal blogs unrelated to your profession
• Dating profiles
• Gaming profiles

Multiple Contact Options

Stick to one phone number and one email address. Multiple options create confusion about how to reach you.

Resume Header Formatting Tips

Font and Size

Your Name:

• 18-24 point font
• Bold or semi-bold weight
• Can be a slightly different font from body text

Contact Information:

• 10-12 point font
• Regular weight
• Same font as body text

Layout Options

Centered Header:

SARAH JOHNSON
(555) 123-4567 | [email protected] | linkedin.com/in/sarahjohnson | Boston, MA

Left-Aligned Header:

SARAH JOHNSON
(555) 123-4567
[email protected]
linkedin.com/in/sarahjohnson
Boston, MA

Two-Column Header:

SARAH JOHNSON                                    (555) 123-4567
Marketing Manager                          [email protected]
                                      linkedin.com/in/sarahjohnson
                                                      Boston, MA

Separators

Use separators to organize contact information horizontally:

• Vertical bars: |
• Bullets: •
• Dashes: –
• Simple spaces with consistent formatting

Example: (555) 123-4567 | [email protected] | linkedin.com/in/sarahjohnson | Boston, MA

Spacing and White Space

• Leave adequate space between your header and the body of your resume
• Don’t let your header take up too much real estate (aim for about 10% of page)
• Use consistent spacing between elements

Color Considerations

• Keep colors subtle and professional
• Ensure sufficient contrast for readability
• Consider printing compatibility (colors should work in black and white)
• Don’t overdo it—one accent color at most

ATS-Friendly Header Practices

Use Standard Formatting

ATS systems can struggle with:

• Headers and footers in Word documents
• Text boxes
• Tables for layout
• Multiple columns
• Images or graphics in contact area

Include Keywords in Labels

Some systems look for labeled fields:

• Phone: (555) 123-4567
• Email: [email protected]
• Location: Boston, MA

Test Your Formatting

Before sending applications:

• Save your resume as a plain text file and review
• Use an ATS checker tool
• Ensure all contact information is parseable

Avoid Special Characters

Stick to standard characters that parse correctly:

• Use standard hyphens, not em-dashes
• Avoid decorative bullets
• Use standard parentheses for phone numbers

Resume Header Examples by Industry

Corporate/Business

MICHAEL CHEN, MBA Senior Financial Analyst (555) 234-5678 | [email protected] | linkedin.com/in/michaelchen | Chicago, IL

Creative/Design

SARAH WILLIAMS Graphic Designer & Brand Strategist (555) 345-6789 | [email protected] linkedin.com/in/sarahwilliams | sarahwilliamsdesign.com | Los Angeles, CA

Technology

JAMES PATEL Full-Stack Software Engineer (555) 456-7890 | [email protected] linkedin.com/in/jamespatel | github.com/jamespatel | Seattle, WA

Healthcare

JENNIFER MARTINEZ, RN, BSN (555) 567-8901 | [email protected] | linkedin.com/in/jennifermartinez | Phoenix, AZ

Academia

Dr. AMANDA THOMPSON, PhD Associate Professor of Biology (555) 678-9012 | [email protected] | amandathompson.academia.edu | Boston, MA

Entry-Level/Recent Graduate

DAVID JOHNSON (555) 789-0123 | [email protected] | linkedin.com/in/davidjohnson | Denver, CO

Common Resume Header Mistakes

Mistake 1: Unprofessional Email Address

Wrong: [email protected] Right: [email protected]

Create a new professional email if needed—it only takes a few minutes.

Mistake 2: Using Work Contact Information

Never use your work email or phone number. It’s unprofessional and risks alerting your current employer to your job search.

Mistake 3: Outdated or Incorrect Information

Double-check all contact information before sending your resume. A typo in your phone number or email means missed opportunities.

Mistake 4: Overly Complicated Design

Creative headers with excessive graphics, colors, or unusual layouts can confuse ATS systems and appear unprofessional in conservative industries.

Mistake 5: Missing LinkedIn

Most recruiters expect to see your LinkedIn profile. Not including it raises questions about your online presence.

Mistake 6: Including “Resume” as a Title

You don’t need to label your document “Resume” or “Curriculum Vitae” at the top. It’s obvious what it is.

Mistake 7: Using Tiny Font for Contact Info

If recruiters can’t easily read your contact information, they may not bother trying. Keep it readable (10-12 point minimum).

Special Considerations

Relocating Candidates

If you’re planning to relocate, address it in your header:

• Austin, TX (Relocating to Seattle, WA – August 2024)
• Remote | Open to Relocation

International Applications

Research local customs for the country you’re applying in:

• Include country code on phone number
• Note your eligibility to work (if applicable)
• Some countries expect photos, full addresses, or personal information

Career Changers

If your current title doesn’t reflect your target role, you can include your target title:

• SARAH JOHNSON
• Career Development Professional (Transitioning from Sales)

Freelancers and Contractors

Consider including your business name or indication of independent work:

• JAMES CHEN
• Independent Marketing Consultant
• [email protected]

Using Technology to Perfect Your Header

Modern resume tools can help ensure your header is professional and properly formatted. Platforms like 0portfolio.com provide templates with ATS-optimized headers and help you create a polished first impression that gets your resume noticed.

When using resume builders:

• Choose templates with clean, professional headers
• Ensure contact information fields are properly formatted
• Test the output with ATS compatibility checkers
• Customize to reflect your personal brand

Final Checklist

Before finalizing your resume header, verify:

✓ Name is prominent and uses your professional name ✓ Phone number is accurate and has professional voicemail ✓ Email is professional and checked regularly ✓ Location includes city and state (not full address) ✓ LinkedIn URL is customized and profile is current ✓ Portfolio/Website is included (if relevant and professional) ✓ Credentials are included after name (if applicable) ✓ Formatting is clean, consistent, and ATS-friendly ✓ Spacing is appropriate (not too much or too little) ✓ All links work and lead to professional content

Conclusion

Your resume header may seem like a small detail, but it sets the stage for everything that follows. A professional, well-organized header tells recruiters that you’re competent, detail-oriented, and take your career seriously. A poorly formatted or incomplete header can raise red flags before they even read your qualifications.

Take the time to craft a header that:

• Clearly identifies who you are
• Makes it easy for recruiters to contact you
• Establishes your professional brand
• Works well with ATS systems
• Looks polished and professional

Remember that your header will be seen on every application you send—it’s worth investing the time to get it right. Review your header each time you update your resume, ensuring all information is current and accurately represents how you want to be contacted.

With a perfect resume header in place, you’ve created a strong foundation for the rest of your application. Now focus on making the content of your resume equally impressive—and watch the interview invitations roll in.