This is the first in a series of articles on generally accepted best practices for resume writing.
My hope is that if you’re going at this job search thing alone, this series will give you confidence that the resume you write for yourself conforms to what recruiters need — and helps you stand out in the crowd.
And if you’re a client, the purpose of this article is to provide transparency for why I do what I do. 😊
Let’s talk about resume headers.
I recently met an executive who paid thousands of dollars just for a resume. From an “award-winning” executive resume service. Yet, he wasn’t getting any calls.
It took me less than two seconds to identify the problem (well, one of the problems):
HIS CONTACT INFO WAS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE.
IN THE FOOTER.
Talk about getting off on the wrong “foot”!
Why is this so bad?
- Recruiters shouldn’t have to hunt for your contact info. You want to make it as easy as possible for them to say, “Interview this person!” Recruiters expect your contact details to be at the top of the page. When they’re anywhere else, they might skip right past you — because there are plenty of candidates they can reach without searching.
- Applicant tracking systems (ATS) don’t read headers and footers. These glorified filing cabinets often strip out those sections entirely because they’re stored in a separate “layer” of the document. If your phone number or email lives there, it may never even get into the system — making it as if you never provided your contact info at all.
DO THIS FOR YOUR HEADER
Standing out with a great resume means you first fit into recruiters’ standards and expectations. Include:
- Name
- Address (City, State, and Zip Only)
- Phone Number (Just one)
- Email Address
- LinkedIn Address
- Portfolio Address (If you’re in a creative field)
- Fax Number
EXTRA TIPS:
Address:
City, state, and zip help some ATS categorize you. Even for remote jobs, recruiters often need to confirm your location is in a state they hire from.
Email:
Use some variation of your name. Avoid dated providers like Yahoo or Hotmail — stick with Gmail, Outlook, ProtonMail, or another current email service.
LinkedIn:
Customize your URL to remove the random numbers for a cleaner, more professional look.
Fax Number:
Just kidding. Just checking if you made it here.
Hope this was helpful! Contact me if you’d rather skip all this and have me do it for you. 😉
