What is a resume header?
A resume header is the block at the very top of your resume that tells an employer who you are and how to reach you. It includes your name and contact information, and often a job title and LinkedIn link.
It is the first thing a recruiter reads and the part they need when they decide to call you. A clean header gets that done in two or three lines.
What should you put in a resume header?
Here is what to put in a resume header and what to leave out.
| Item | Include it? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Always | Largest text on the page, 14 to 22 points |
| Phone number | Always | One number with a professional voicemail greeting |
| Email address | Always | A personal address, never your current work email |
| City and state | Usually | Shows where you are based |
| Job title or headline | Recommended | Match the title in the job posting when it fits |
| LinkedIn URL | Recommended | Only if your profile is complete and matches your resume |
| Portfolio, website or GitHub | When relevant | Common for design, writing, marketing and tech roles |
| Credentials after your name | When relevant | For example RN, CPA or PMP |
| ZIP code | Optional | Useful if you want to show you live close to the job |
| Full street address | No | City and state are enough |
| Photo | No | Not expected on US resumes |
| Date of birth or age | No | Not relevant to your qualifications |
| Marital status, religion, nationality | No | Not relevant to your qualifications |
| Social Security number | Never | Give it only on official hiring paperwork |
| The word “Resume” | No | The document speaks for itself |
Should you put your address on a resume?
No, you do not need your full street address on a resume. List your city and state instead, such as “Columbus, OH.”
Leaving off the street address saves a line, protects your privacy when your resume is uploaded to job boards, and gives the employer everything it needs. Your full address goes on the application form or hiring paperwork once you get an offer.
Location still matters, so do not skip it entirely. Many employers want to know if you are local, nearby or planning to move. Use these formats for common situations:
| Situation | How to write your location |
|---|---|
| You live in the area | Columbus, OH |
| You live nearby, outside the city | Dublin, OH (Columbus area) |
| You are moving | Relocating to Denver, CO in June 2027 |
| You want remote work | Remote, based in Tulsa, OK (Central Time) |
| You are open to moving | Raleigh, NC, open to relocation |
Should your resume header include a headline?
A headline is a short line under your name that names the job you do or want. It is optional, but it helps a recruiter place you in a second, especially if your most recent job title is different from the role you are applying for.
Keep it to a few words and match the posting when it is accurate:
| Weak headline | Strong headline |
|---|---|
| Hardworking Professional | Medical Billing Specialist |
| Seeking New Opportunities | Bilingual Customer Service Representative |
| Experienced Leader | Warehouse Operations Manager, 10+ Years |
| Recent Graduate | Accounting Graduate, CPA Exam Candidate |
Skip the headline if it would only repeat the first words of your summary.
What goes in a federal resume header?
For federal jobs, keep the header simple. The Office of Personnel Management’s guidance on two-page federal resumes lists contact information as your name and how best to contact you, including your email address and phone number. Always follow any extra instructions in the job announcement.
How should you list a LinkedIn URL on a resume?
Add your LinkedIn URL when your profile is complete, current and consistent with your resume. Follow these steps:
- Customize the URL. LinkedIn lets you edit your public profile URL, so replace the random numbers with your name.
- Shorten it. Drop the “https://www.” part and write it as linkedin.com/in/yourname.
- Make it clickable. In a PDF, link the text so recruiters can open it in one click.
- Match your details. Job titles and dates on LinkedIn should match your resume.
If your profile is mostly empty, leave the link off until you update it. A thin profile raises more questions than no link at all.
What email and phone number should you use?
Use a simple personal email built from your name, like jordan.lee@example.com. Avoid nicknames, birth years and your current employer’s email, which your company can read and which you lose when you leave.
List one phone number you answer, usually your cell. Set up a short voicemail greeting, since recruiters often call from unknown numbers:
Hi, you’ve reached Jordan Lee. Please leave your name and number, and I’ll call you back as soon as I can.
6 resume header examples
Every name, number and link below is fictional. Copy the format, then add your own details.
1. Standard header for most job seekers
JORDAN LEE
Columbus, OH | (614) 555-0142 | jordan.lee@example.com | linkedin.com/in/jordanlee-example
2. Header with a headline for an experienced professional
PRIYA SHAH
Senior Financial Analyst
Chicago, IL 60614 | (312) 555-0187 | priya.shah@example.com | linkedin.com/in/priyashah-example
3. Healthcare header with credentials
MARIA SANTOS, BSN, RN
Registered Nurse, Med-Surg and Telemetry
Phoenix, AZ | (602) 555-0119 | maria.santos@example.com
Put licenses and degrees after your name only when they are standard in your field. The registered nurse resume example shows this header in a full resume.
4. Creative or tech header with a portfolio
ALEX KIM
UX Designer
Seattle, WA | (206) 555-0163 | alex.kim@example.com
Portfolio: alexkim.example.com | linkedin.com/in/alexkim-example
For licensed service jobs like esthetics, a portfolio or booking page with your work can do the same job. See the esthetician resume example.
5. Header for a candidate who is relocating
SAM CARTER
Operations Coordinator
Relocating to Denver, CO in June 2027 | (404) 555-0128 | sam.carter@example.com
6. Compact header in a table layout for a remote job
If you prefer a table, keep it to one row and two columns so it stays simple.
| TAYLOR BROOKS, Customer Support Specialist | Remote, based in Tulsa, OK (Central Time) |
|---|---|
| taylor.brooks@example.com | (918) 555-0174 |
On your actual resume, avoid complex tables in the header. Some resume parsers read table cells out of order, so the simple line formats above are the safer choice for online applications.
What should you leave out of a resume header?
- Personal details. Age, date of birth, marital status, photo and Social Security number do not belong on a resume.
- More than one phone number or email. Pick the one you check most.
- Your full street address. City and state are enough.
- Social media that is not professional. Only link profiles you would want a hiring manager to see.
- Labels like “Phone:” and “Email:” The format makes them obvious, so skip them unless you want them for clarity.
Resume header formatting tips
- Keep it short. Two or three lines is ideal and saves space, which helps if you are trying to keep your resume to one page.
- Make your name the largest text. Use 14 to 22 points for your name and your normal body size for contact details.
- Use separators. A vertical bar or bullet between items keeps one line readable.
- Type it in the main body. Do not rely on the document’s built-in header field.
- Use the same header on your cover letter. A matching header makes your application look like a set. See how to start a cover letter for what comes next.
- Check that everything works. Call your number, send a test email and click your links before you apply.
After your header comes your summary. These resume summary examples show how to follow a strong header with a strong opening. Then run your full resume through the ATS keyword checker to make sure your contact details and keywords are readable.