How to write a great CV headline (with examples)

A great CV headline can grab a recruiter’s interest and concisely convey your key selling point, so it’s worth putting some thought into making sure you get it right. It may only be a small part of your CV, but it can do a lot of heavy lifting if done well.

This article explains what to consider when writing your headline and also gives some examples of CV headlines to inspire you.

What is a CV headline?

Gone are the days when your CV would be titled “Curriculum Vitae” – talk about stating the obvious! These days, a CV usually begins with the applicant’s name and a CV headline that summarises what they do.

At its most basic, a CV headline will just be your current job title. That can work really well, as it shows the reader what you do and the level you work at. For example, a CV headline for a Sales Manager could simply be “Jim Jones – Sales Manager”. A recruiter looking for a Sales Manager will immediately know that this CV is worth their attention – and that’s the ultimate objective.

Remember that a recruiter doesn't have unlimited time to read your CV - so make your first impression count!

How to write a headline for your CV

When you’re writing a CV headline, you really need to focus on your target job.

If you want a role similar to your current one, then your current job title will probably be a perfectly sensible headline. You can tweak it to match the job title advertised, as long as the job is essentially the same. You could then add a bit of wow factor by highlighting one of your main selling points - such as "Award-Winning Copywriter" or "Software Developer skilled in Java".

If you’re aiming to step up to a more senior role, your job title is still a good place to start. From this position, consider what you’ve done in your current job that qualifies you for the role you’re aiming for. You need to stay truthful, whilst aligning your CV headline with the needs of your target job. For example, if you’re currently a Marketing Manager and looking to move into a more senior position, focus on the higher-level skills you’ve acquired and position yourself as a “Marketing Strategist” or “Marketing Manager delivering international campaigns” . The exact wording will depend on the focus of the role you’re aiming for – the advert should give you some clues and inspiration.

Keeping your options open? The headline for your CV could be as simple as a few related areas of strength – “Sarah Green – Trainer, Mediator and Facilitator”. Ideally, you'll write a new CV headline for every job you apply to.

The idea of the CV headline is to provide an at-a-glance summary that encourages a hiring manager to delve deeper into your application. Your job is to decide which parts of your career to highlight to achieve that aim. Keep it short and snappy – more than a few words and you’re writing a sentence, not a headline!

The perfect CV headline

The perfect headline IS...

• punchy
• short
• persuasive
• memorable
• a concise summary of your main selling point

The perfect CV headline DOESN'T...

• use cliches
• extend beyond a few words
• mislead

Where to put your CV headline

As the name suggests, the headline should go at the very top of your CV, after your name. It can be next to, or underneath, your name. Visually, the headline generally works best in the same size font as your name – or slightly smaller if you have a particularly long name!

CV headline examples

As we’ve said, a good CV headline piques interest. Therefore, focus on your reader and how you can meet their needs. Here are some CV headline examples that you can use for inspiration:

CV headline for students:

• History Undergraduate focused on Medieval weaponry
• Student specialising in social media marketing
• Bioengineering Postgraduate

CV headline for accountants:

• Accountant with 15+ years' experience
• Accounting Manager and Tax Expert
• CFO – Charity Sector

CV headline for customer service professionals:

• Customer Service Manager with 98% satisfaction score
• Multilingual customer service specialist
• Customer Service Assistant - luxury brands

CV headline for Project Managers:

• Transformation Specialist
• Agile Project Manager
• Project Manager – Finance and IT

CV headline for unemployed applicants:

• Seeking a role in warehousing or logistics
• Delivery Driver – Available Immediately
• Experienced and Qualified Electrician

In conclusion

The CV headline is a great way to make a positive first impression and encourage the reader to spend more time on your CV. You can position yourself however you want, as long as you don't mislead, so craft something attention-grabbing and get your CV out there!

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