Your CV header is frequently the first thing a prospective employer will see, so make sure it appears polished. Contact details, pertinent links, and a summary or aim are frequently seen in CV headers. Learning how to create a strong CV header will help you if you’re getting ready to apply for jobs. In this post, we define a CV header, examine the essential elements recruitment managers look for, offer advice to get you started, and give samples of expert CV headers you can use as examples.
What do CV headers mean?
The part that displays at the beginning of your CV is called a header. Your name and some basic contact details are usually included. This makes it simple for recruiting managers to recognize you and get in touch with you to set up an interview.
CV headers, often referred to as resume headers, are the sections at the top of your CV (Curriculum Vitae) or resume that provide essential information about you, your contact details, and how to reach you. These headers are typically placed at the very beginning of your document and serve as a quick reference for the reader. They include the following key elements:
- Name: Your full name is prominently displayed at the top of the CV. It’s typically in a larger and bold font to make it easily identifiable. Your name should be the most eye-catching element, as it’s how employers will identify you.
- Contact Information: This section includes your contact details, such as your phone number, email address, and location. It allows potential employers to contact you for interviews or additional information. Make sure your contact information is accurate and up to date.
- LinkedIn Profile (Optional): Many CVs also include a link to the candidate’s LinkedIn profile. This is not mandatory, but it can be a valuable addition if your LinkedIn profile is well-maintained and presents a professional image.
- Professional Title (Optional): Some candidates include a professional title or a summary of their career goals and qualifications under their name. This can help convey your career focus or expertise to the reader.
CV headers are crucial because they provide the initial impression of who you are and how to contact you. They should be clear, well-formatted, and professional to ensure that potential employers can easily identify and get in touch with you. The headers are typically followed by other sections of your CV, such as your summary, work experience, education, skills, and additional details that provide a comprehensive view of your qualifications and experience.
What makes a CV header?
The same details are present in most CV headers. When reviewing a CV’s heading, hiring managers are particularly on the lookout for the following things:
Name and position
The first line of your CV header should provide a name introduction. To draw attention to your name, pick a typeface that is bold or one or two times larger. It’s crucial to utilize the same name in your CV header that you use in other official documents, such as application paperwork and websites. If prospective employers want to know more about your employment history and experience, they will be able to immediately discover you on other platforms if you use the same name for your application and official materials.
For instance, if “Julia B. Wallace” is listed as your name in your work portfolio, ensure that “Julia B. Wallace” appears in the titleCV header of your CV rather than “Julia Wallace” or “Julia Belinda Wallace.” Add it to this section as well if you have a well-established job in one industry or a professional license or qualification. For instance, “Jack Chun, MRICS.” or “Betty Clark, Ph.D.”
Address
Your present, permanent address should be added to the following line of your CV. This enables hiring managers to ascertain whether you are a local applicant, whether they would need to make accommodations for your relocation, or whether you intend to work remotely. While some applicants merely list their city of residence, others list their complete physical address. If you want to keep your full address hidden, you are free to use the city as your only basic reference.
Mobile number
Provide the mobile number that you are more likely to pick up during a regular day after your address. Candidates typically decide against adding a common mobile number, like the number of the organization they presently work for, and instead opt to offer a personal mobile phone number. It’s crucial to have a phone number where potential employers can contact you because many businesses contact candidates by phone initially.
After your mobile number, including your email address. Use a business-related email address that primarily combines your first and last name. For instance, “juliawallace@email.com” or “juliawallace@email.com” are allowed. Use your email address rather than the one associated with your present employer. If you’re a student, you can also utilize your school’s email address.
Links to your portfolio or profile
Add these links to your CV header beneath your email address if your professional portfolio or network profile offers further details about your past employment or projects. Only add them if they are pertinent to your job and the vacant position for which you are applying. If you’re a computer programmer, for instance, you may provide a hyperlink to a website that showcases your design and coding abilities. A hyperlink to a business networking profile with recommendations or references is another option.
Objective, summary, or heading
To introduce the substance of your resume, place an objective, summary, or headline after your heading. The variations among each of these choices are as follows:
- Objective: An objective explains your long-term professional ambitions and the reasons behind your employment search. If you’re an entry-level applicant, changing careers, or have relocated, you might want to mention an objective.
- Summary: An explanation of your present experience and abilities for the open position is contained in a resume summary. If your experience is pertinent to the job you’re looking for, you could add a summary.
- Header: A headline is a succinct statement that highlights how your qualifications and expertise could make you a valuable addition to a new organization. Among these three alternatives, a header is usually the shortest, with an efficient one being no longer than 15 words.
The length of objectives, summaries, and headlines is typically one or two sentences. Make sure to keep this introduction brief and simple to read for the recruiting manager.
Hints for a strong CV header
Here are a few more pointers to assist you in creating a polished CV header:
Keep it brief.
Just provide the most vital details in your header. If you have several email accounts, for instance, pick the one you read the most often to add. Try to keep it brief by utilizing only one or two lines if you decide to add an objective, summary, or header to your CV. This can assist you in making sure your resume has enough room for your work experience, abilities, education, and other important details that will impress prospective employers.
Make it distinctive.
To let your header stand out, type your name in a bold typeface. By enlarging the font, you may also make your name the most prominent element on your CV. For your name, you might decide to choose a different yet complementary typeface if you have design skills. For instance, to generate contrast, you might use a heavy serif font for your name if your entire CV is written in a thin sans serif font. This will draw the recruiting manager’s attention to you.
Proofread
Spend some time thoroughly proofreading your entire CV. To analyze your CV objectively, you might want to put it aside for a couple of hours beforehand. To enhance your ability to detect language or spelling issues, you can also read your resume aloud. Before sending your CV to prospective companies, think about asking a friend, member of your family, or coworker to examine it and offer suggestions. You can improve your chances of landing an interview by doing this and making sure the final copy of your CV looks polished.
Apply keywords
Add keywords that showcase your talents, expertise, and qualifications in your objective, summary, or headline. You may find out what qualifications the business is seeking in applicants by checking the position description for the position you’re applying for. Select two or three skills, and then include them. When applying for a position as a graphic designer, for instance, your header might read “Graphic designer with expertise in the Adobe Creative Cloud suite and art background. Working with domestic and foreign clientele for more than ten years.”
Importance of CV headers
CV headers are essential for several reasons, as they serve a fundamental role in any curriculum vitae (CV) or resume. Here are the key reasons why CV headers are important:
- First Impression: CV headers are the first thing employers and recruiters see when they review your document. Your name, contact information, and professional title (if included) are the initial elements that grab their attention. A well-structured and visually appealing header sets a positive first impression.
- Contact Information: The contact information in the header is crucial because it allows potential employers to get in touch with you. This information must be up-to-date and accurate. Without it, employers may have no means to contact you for an interview or to clarify any details on your CV.
- Professionalism: A well-designed header demonstrates professionalism and attention to detail. It shows that you’ve put effort into creating a well-organized document, which can reflect positively on your work habits.
- Brand Identity: Including your name and, optionally, a professional title under it helps establish your brand. It provides a clear and memorable identification, making it easier for employers to remember you and associate you with your skills and qualifications.
- Online Presence: Including a link to your LinkedIn profile (if applicable) can enhance your online presence. Employers may use this link to learn more about your professional background, skills, and connections, which can complement the information in your CV.
- Accessibility: Well-structured CV headers make the document more user-friendly. Recruiters and hiring managers often skim through numerous resumes, and a clear header allows them to locate your contact information and name easily.
- Consistency: Consistency in the formatting and style of the CV header sets a standard for the rest of the document. It’s a visual cue for maintaining a consistent format in other sections, which contributes to a professional and organized presentation.
- Context: A professional title or summary under your name in the header can provide context for your qualifications and career goals. It can help employers quickly understand your expertise and how you align with the job position.
In summary, CV headers play a crucial role in making a strong first impression, conveying professionalism, and ensuring that employers can contact you for further steps in the hiring process. They set the tone for the rest of your CV and help establish your brand and online presence. As such, it’s essential to pay attention to the design, accuracy, and completeness of your CV headers.
Samples of CV headers
Here are a few samples of expert CV headers from various industries that you may use as a model when creating your own:
Accountancy and finance
A sample of a CV header for a financial and accounting expert is given below:
Pa Lang
125 Emperor’s Road
Salford
M2 9UI
111-222-3344
pa.lang@email.com
Dedicated accountant with twenty years of expertise in the real estate industry. capable of anticipating budgets and managing resources.
Food delivery
Here is a sample of a header for a person working in the food service sector:
Jeremy Hong
139 Hagroove Lane
Reading
KI20 3IP
111-222-3344
jeremy.hong@email.com
A devoted employee in the food service sector with ten years of work experience as a bartender, waiter, and barista.
Marketing and sales
Here is a sample of a header for a marketing and sales professional:
Jennifer Harrington
133 Mayfair Street
London
SM5 6JJ
111-222-3344
jenniferharr@email.com
Seasoned digital marketer with experience in sales and four years’ worth of social media marketing experience.
Conclusion
It takes the Human resources manager just a few seconds to determine whether to read your CV.
The objective of your CV’s header is to grab their attention and persuade them to read the remainder of it.
Frequently Asked Questions about CV headers
- How should a CV’s heading be written?
Your name, mobile number, and email address that can be clicked on should all be there in the header of a professional resume. Make it easier for the management to choose you by adding features and styling it properly. Avoid beginning your resume with the word Resume.
- What makes a strong CV header?
Please keep it simple and concise: It ought to be a single sentence or brief statement. Make sure it sticks out by writing it entirely caps or capitalizing it. Put your attention on the job you’re applying for. Avoid using the same heading for various placements.
- Do CVs need to have a header?
Every page of your resume and other application documents should have your name at the top or footer (View… Footer and Header). Add page numbers as well. In this manner, it will be simple to reassemble your materials if they are dropped or jumbled up.
- Is it necessary to include a professional title or summary under my name in the CV header?
Including a professional title or summary under your name in the CV header is optional. It can be beneficial when you want to provide a quick snapshot of your expertise or career goals. However, it’s not a requirement, and many CVs successfully use just the name and contact information in the header. Whether to include a title or summary depends on your personal preference and the specific job application. If it enhances your CV’s clarity and relevance to the position, it can be a valuable addition.
- Should I use a unique font or formatting for my CV header to make it stand out?
While your CV header needs to be visually appealing and stand out, it’s equally crucial to maintain professionalism and readability. Using a unique font or formatting that is difficult to read or distracting is not recommended. Instead, choose a clear and professional font for your name and ensure that it’s larger and possibly bold to make it stand out. Consistency in font and style throughout your CV also contributes to a polished and organized look. The goal is to create a header that is distinctive but not at the expense of clarity and professionalism.