Executive resume headings appear at the top of the resume, immediately after the name and contact details. People often ask me why I need a headline on my resume.
The reason is simple and important. With a well-defined executive resume heading at the top of the file, he addresses the 3 C’s for the reader.
- To clarifyState your work goals and intentions
- clearly Outline your personal leadership values
- Force Employers can keep reading on demand
Regardless of what position you envision for your future, your resume headline should read: It’s written for the job you want, not the job you have. This means that headings can and should be customized for different applications. You also need to present your values and offerings in a strong and concise way that resonates with your readers.
Tips for writing effective executive resume headlines:
Customized for any application
This step is very important for a successful headline. We always want to meet the needs of our readers, so our headlines should align with the requirements of our role.
Clarify your job intentions by stating your target position in the headline. Additionally, add supporting details to enhance your application.
For example, if you are applying for the CEO/COO position, this should be the title of your headline. He also provides details such as P&L and budget overlooks, the type and size of the organization running the exposure, total number of employees, core skill sets, as well as taglines and impact figures summarizing his ROI and unique value proposition. You can also add it to your heading.
please be concise
Short, concise headlines pack more punch. Disjointed or dense text can defeat the purpose of “captions” and prevent readers from clearly identifying target, intent, placement and ROI.
If your headlines and taglines span multiple lines, use design components like color and shading to divide the content into more digestible sections:
cut the fluff
Avoid general remarks, exaggerated statements, or superlatives such as: amazing, excellent, excellent. Be authentic, focus on facts, and communicate your unique values verbatim.
Also avoid the temptation to copy other professionals’ profiles and headlines. Your resume is unique. So your headline should too. Think carefully about what makes you unique and valuable as a top executive. Then advertise!
Clarify with metrics
Numbers and measurements say a lot and give the reader of your resume a clearer picture of your range and level of competence. If you have a headline on your resume, consider weaving in one of the following numbers.
- team size
- Organization size/type/location (national or international)
- Revenue, profit, or sales growth rate figures
- Budget or profit and loss monitoring
Include keywords
Keywords in resumes serve two purposes. These help in ranking/aligning resumes and address reader requirements (desired skill sets).
Speak to your audience and “speak their language” by incorporating keywords into each job posting into your headlines.
Consider including a tagline/value proposition statement and/or an impact statement
Although not required for all executive resume headlines, headlines can be expanded to include taglines and value proposition statements (summarizing offerings, incorporating keywords, demonstrating scope, adding your own It’s a great way to share value).
Alternatively, you can consider including some impact statements within headings, or placing them near the top of the file. After all, the top 1/3 of resumes are prime real estate. Readers usually spend a good deal of time in this area. Impact statements should be high-impact, result-rich, target-relevant, and concise, like the example below.
Additional resume headline samples:
At the senior professional level, especially at the C-suite, numbers are paramount in headlines. Make sure to highlight details from your career experience, growth stats and other measurements and put them at the forefront. Think big career wins and eventual business implications that speak for themselves. Start your file with strong statements and robust details, but ensure authentic voices and honest details.
Regardless of your executive resume headline approach, keep it concise and readable. Also, in the headline, be sure to mention him three secrets.
Want to learn more about the latest executive resume writing trends for the year ahead? Check out my popular annual post on resume trends.
