Resume header and headings: what goes at the top, and what to call each section.
The header is the first thing every reader sees and the part an applicant tracking system must get right. Keep it simple, complete and in the body of the document.
A resume header needs your name, phone number, a professional email address, your city and state (a full street address isn't needed), and a LinkedIn or portfolio link if you have one. Under your name you can add a short headline with your target job title. Use standard section headings such as Summary, Experience, Education and Skills so readers and parsers find them.
Illustrative examples to adapt
Illustrative: every name, employer, school, date and number in these samples is fictional or a bracketed placeholder. Replace each bracket with your own true details; never copy a result you did not achieve.
Resume header
When to use: Every resume.
Casey Novak (illustrative) [Target job title] | [Specialism or key strength] [City, State] · [phone] · [email] · [LinkedIn URL] · [Portfolio URL if relevant]
Standard section headings
When to use: Naming your sections.
SUMMARY EXPERIENCE (or WORK EXPERIENCE) EDUCATION SKILLS CERTIFICATIONS (if you hold any) PROJECTS (students and career changers) VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE (optional)
Disclosure: TryHired makes HIRED, a paid job-search program, so we have a conflict of interest when we mention it. Every sample on this page is free to use without buying anything.
Header details
| Detail | Include? | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Yes | The name you use professionally |
| Phone and email | Yes | A professional email address |
| City and state | Yes | A full street address isn't needed |
| LinkedIn URL | Recommended | Customise the URL if you can |
| Portfolio or GitHub | If relevant | Only work you are happy to show |
| Photo, date of birth, marital status | No (United States) | Not expected on US resumes |
The same line, rewritten
Illustrative example with placeholders.
| Version | Example |
|---|---|
| Weak | RESUME OF TAYLOR BROOKS, 123 Example Street, [email] (in the page header only) |
| Strong | Taylor Brooks (illustrative) | Office manager | [City, State] · [phone] · [email] · [LinkedIn URL] (in the body of the page) |
Why it matters: The word 'resume' and a full street address waste space, and details placed only in the page header can be missed by some parsers. The strong header gives a target title and every contact route in the body text.
Mistakes to avoid
- Putting contact details only in the document header or footer.
- Using creative section names such as 'My journey' that parsers may not recognise.
- Including a photo or personal details on a US resume.
- Using an outdated or unprofessional email address.
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Questions people ask
Should I put my address on my resume?
What is a resume title or headline?
Should I write 'Resume' at the top?
What section headings should a resume have?
How this page is built
Written by Maid Dizdarevic, a career coach and 8x LinkedIn Top Voice. Advice is labelled as advice. Every sample uses a fictional person marked '(illustrative)' or a 'Your name' placeholder, and every employer, school, date and result is a bracketed placeholder for your own true details.
- What a specific employer screens for: always read the posting.
- Your results: we never invent numbers, and you should never copy a result you did not achieve.
- Outcomes: no resume, letter or program can promise an interview or a job.
- TryHired editorial guidance by Maid Dizdarevic, career coach, Nov 2, 2026.