How to Write a Resume Header (Examples & Guide for 2025)

Your resume is often the first impression you make on a potential employer, and that first impression starts with your resume header. With hiring managers spending an average of just 6 seconds reviewing each resume, having a clear, professional header isn't just a nice-to-have—it's essential for landing your next role.

One crucial element of a well-formatted resume is an effective header that immediately communicates who you are and how to reach you.

A strong header not only grabs the attention of the reader but also makes it easy for hiring managers to contact you when they're ready to schedule an interview.

In this guide, we'll walk you through exactly what to include in your resume header, how to format it professionally, and how to avoid common mistakes that could cost you an interview opportunity.

Whether you're writing your first resume or updating an existing one, you'll learn how to create a header that helps you stand out from other applicants.

What is a resume header?

A resume header is the section at the top of your resume that contains your essential contact information and professional identity. Think of it as your business card within your resume - it's how employers know who you are and how to reach you.

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What to include in a resume header

A strong resume header should include professional details that make it easy for employers and hiring mangers to contact you. Here are the key details you want to be sure to include in the resume header:

Your full name: Use your full, professional name. You'll want to make sure you use the same name you use across all of your online profiles, for example––If your first name is "Edward Smith", but you've always used and go by "Ed Smith", you would want to list your name as "Ed Smith".

Professional job title (Optional): Your professional job title may or may not live within your resume header, depending on the resume template you use––as it's not uncommon for your job title to be formatted after your header and before your professional summary. But if you're using a resume template that includes your title within your resume header section, you'll want to add it.

Phone number: List your full phone number, including the area code. Be sure to double check for typos, as many hiring managers or recruiters may prefer contacting you by phone over email.

Email address: Include your full, professional email address. The standard format for a professional email includes your first and last name. You should always avoid using a personal or outdated email addresses that doesn't provide clear context on who the hiring manager is contacting.

Location: Adding your location in your header helps readers know whether you're local to the role or not. This is especially important for in-person or hybrid roles, however even with remote positions, adding your location can help prospective employers know whether or not they're eligible to hire in your location.

Relevant links: You may choose to include any professional, and relevant links such as your LinkedIn URL, Portfolio or professional website, or GitHub Profile.

Remember, your resume header is the first thing hiring managers see, so getting it right is crucial for making a strong first impression.

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What's the difference between a resume header and a resume heading?

Unlike a resume header, which contains a mix of your personal and professional contact information–– Resume headings are resume section titles that organize and structure your resume content, such as "Work Experience," "Education," and "Skills."

A resume header provides recruiters and hiring managers the necessary details to contact you––whereas your resume headings provide a clear and scannable outline, making it easy for readers to quickly find and understand your qualifications.

Resume headings include:

• Professional Summary
• Work Experience
• Education
• Skills and Competencies
• Certifications
• Projects
• Awards and Achievements

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How to write a resume header

Creating a professional resume header doesn't have to be complicated. The most important thing to focus on is emphasizing your name and providing accurate contact information. Let's go over how to write a professional resume header that stands out.

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1. Full name

The first part of writing your resume header, is adding your full name. Your name should be the most prominent element in your header, and should use a slightly larger font than the rest of your resume header (14-16pt).

Be sure to use the first and last name that you go by, and avoid any nicknames. If you hold relevant professional certifications or credentials (like PMP, CPA, or RN), you can add these after your name in your header.

For example: "Sarah Martinez, PMP" or "Michael Chen, CPA".

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2. Professional title (optional)

It's not necessary to include your job title (also known as a resume title) in your resume header section, unless it's included in the format and resume template you choose to use. It's most common to include your job title directly following your resume header, right before your resume summary or objective.

However, if you do choose to include it––be sure to use your current or most recent job title. If your title is complicated, includes numerical values to note seniority, or doesn't provide enough context to the hiring manager, it's not a bad idea to write it in a way that is clear to the reader.

Here's an example:

Your job title is "Web Developer III", and your company utilizes numerical values to note seniority. As you write your professional title, instead of writing "Web Developer III", you could instead write your title as "Senior Web Developer".

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3. Phone number

Your phone number is often the first way hiring managers will reach out to schedule interviews, so it's crucial to include one you check regularly.

List your personal cell phone number, and not your current work number, as using a work number could create issues with your current employer and may raise red flags with potential employers.

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How to format a phone number on your resume:

Format your phone number consistently and clearly, and be sure to always include the area code. You may choose to include parenthesis, hyphens or periods to make sure the number is easy to read.

If you're applying for jobs internationally, you'll also want to be sure to include the country code.

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‍Example format: 555-555-5555 or +1 (555) 555-5555

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4. Email address

Your email address is the second most common way employers will contact you, so it should be professional and easy to read.

The hiring manager should always know who they're contacting based on the email address. Avoid using personal emails with nicknames, random numbers, or unprofessional references.

When adding your email, use a simple format such as:

[email protected] or [email protected].

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If you're creating a new email address and your name is taken, you can try:

• Adding your middle initial
• Using a professional email provider (Gmail or Outlook)
• Including your industry, for example: [email protected]

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5. Location

When adding your location to your resume header, you want to be sure you only include your city and state. Avoid including your residential or physical address, as that information is considered PII and is only necessary to share if you're offered and accepted a position.

When listing your location, you can choose to write the state in full, or use the state abbreviation.

If you're applying for an in-person or hybrid role and you aren't local to the working location, you can also choose to include that you're open to relocation.

Location on resume example:

Los Angeles, CA (open to relocation)

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6. Professional links

Including relevant professional links in your resume header can help showcase your work and provide employers with additional context about your experience. However, you should only include links that are relevant to the role you're applying for and ones that strengthen your application.

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Professional links to include in a header:

LinkedIn URL: Your LinkedIn profile often serves as a digital extension of your resume, so including it in your header makes sense for most roles. Before adding your LinkedIn URL to your resume, it's best to:

• Customize your LinkedIn URL to remove the random numbers
• Make sure your LinkedIn profile is up-to-date and aligns with your resume
• Verify that your profile photo and background are professional

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Portfolio or personal website: If you work in a creative, technical, or content-focused field, including a link to your portfolio or personal website can provide value by showing hiring managers what you're capable of. It's best to only include these if:

• The content is current and relevant to the role
• The website is professional, clean and easy to navigate
• All links and projects are working properly

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GitHub profile: For software developers and technical roles, including your GitHub profile can demonstrate your coding abilities and project contributions. It's recommended to include a link to your GitHub profile if:

• You have recent, relevant repositories
• Your profile shows consistent activity
• Your projects align with the technical skills required for the role

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Resume header template

Here's a resume header template to help you create a clear, professional resume header that includes all essential information. Remember, while you can arrange these elements in different ways, the key is to keep your header clean and easy to read.

[Full Name] 
[Professional Title - Optional) 
[Phone Number] 
[Email Address] 
[Location] 
[Professional Links]

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Resume header examples

As you begin to write your own header, check out these resume header examples for inspiration and explore Teal's collection of 100+ resume templates to help you get started!

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Resume header example #1

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Resume header example #2

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Resume header example #3

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Resume header example #4

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Resume header example #5

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Best practices for resume headers

Here are some tips and best practices for writing an effective resume header that stands out:

• Keep it concise: Don't include unnecessary information such as nicknames, middle names, or your residential address.
• Proofread your contact details: Make sure you proofread your resume and that it's free of any typos or misspellings.
• Use a proper font and size: Use a easy to read font, and make sure your name is prominent in your header. You can choose to emphasize your name by either making it bold, or by using a larger font size.
• Keep optional details relevant: You should only include optional information in your resume header such as, links or being open to relocation, when it is relevant to the position. For example, if you're pivoting careers from engineering to marketing, including your GitHub URL wouldn't be beneficial.

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Create a professional resume header with ease using Teal

Your resume header plays a vital role in your job search success - it's your first impression and your key to making it easy for employers to contact you about opportunities. While crafting the perfect header takes attention to detail, it doesn't have to be overwhelming.

Teal simplifies the entire process of creating a professional, polished resume header. Whether you're starting from scratch or updating an existing resume, Teal's platform helps you:

• Format your header professionally with ATS-friendly templates
• Include all essential contact information in the right order
• Maintain consistency across multiple versions of your resume
• Ensure your header aligns with industry best practices

Ready to create a resume header that helps you land interviews? Get started with Teal's AI Resume Builder today - upload your existing resume or import your LinkedIn profile to begin crafting a header that makes you stand out from other applicants.