Make the header easy to use

The contact information at the top of your resume has a simple job: help the reader identify you and reach you without friction. It should be accurate, current, and easy to scan before the work history begins.

A strong resume header does not need extra decoration or personal details. It needs the right contact points, clean spacing, and links that support the role you are applying for.

Include the essentials first

Most resumes only need a name, phone number, professional email address, location, and one or two relevant links. Put the most important details in a predictable order so the reader does not have to search.

Your exact location format depends on your application needs. A city and state or metro area is often enough for remote, hybrid, and relocation-friendly roles unless the employer asks for a full address.

  • Full name as you use it professionally.
  • Phone number with a voicemail greeting you are comfortable with employers hearing.
  • Professional email address that you check regularly.
  • City and state, region, or country when it helps the application.
  • LinkedIn, portfolio, GitHub, writing samples, or other role-relevant links when they are ready to share.

Use a professional email address

Your email address should be simple enough that a recruiter can type it correctly and recognize it as yours. A variation of your name is usually the safest choice.

Avoid email addresses built around jokes, old school nicknames, birth years when they are not needed, or unrelated hobbies. If your current address feels distracting, create a clean job-search email and use it consistently across your resume, cover letter, and application accounts.

Add links only when they help

Links should support the story your resume is already telling. A polished portfolio can help a designer, writer, developer, marketer, or analyst show work that does not fit on one page. A messy or outdated profile can create the opposite effect.

Before adding a link, open it as if you were the hiring manager. Check that the page loads, the content is public, the name matches your resume, and the first screen does not create confusion about your target role.

  • Use a LinkedIn URL if the profile is current and consistent with the resume.
  • Use a portfolio link when the work samples are relevant to the job.
  • Use a GitHub or project link when the reader can quickly understand what to review.
  • Skip links that require a login, show unfinished work, or point to unrelated personal content.

Leave out details that create clutter

Older resume formats often included a full street address, multiple phone numbers, marital status, personal identification details, or other information that usually does not help the hiring decision. Unless an employer specifically requests something, keep the header focused on professional contact details.

You should also avoid putting important contact information only inside an image, icon, or decorative element. Plain text is easier to copy, easier to read, and more reliable across applicant tracking systems and PDF viewers.

  • Do not include a full street address unless it is required for the application.
  • Do not list work contact details from your current employer.
  • Do not include personal documents, identification numbers, or sensitive account information.
  • Do not crowd the header with every social profile you own.

Check the final document before sending

A small contact error can cost an interview, so treat the header as part of your final review. Read every character in your email address, test each link, and confirm that the phone number is correct in both the resume and cover letter.

CreateResume can help keep your resume and cover letter details organized while you preview the finished document and export a PDF-ready version. Use that preview step to make sure the header stays readable and does not crowd the first section.

  • Send the PDF to yourself and test the links from the exported file.
  • Confirm your resume, cover letter, and application form use the same contact details.
  • Check that long URLs do not wrap awkwardly or push content out of alignment.
  • Save a clean base version so every role-specific draft starts with accurate details.