Writing a CV Headline for UK Job Market Success
A well-crafted CV headline can set the tone for your job application and instantly give the reader an impression of your suitability for a role. Hiring managers and recruiters might not read a CV in its entirety, but an insightful CV headline is more likely to grab their attention and encourage them to read on. In this article, we’ll discuss how to write the perfect CV headline for UK job applications, with tips and examples to use for your CV.
What is a CV Headline?
A CV headline is a concise, attention-grabbing statement at the top of your CV, that summarises your skills and experience. Typically, the CV headline sits below your name, within your CV header, making it easy to read at-a-glance. A CV headline is longer than a CV title, which might sit in the same location but is typically much shorter (often comprising just your job title). The CV headline also differs from a CV summary or objective. Although they cover similar content to a CV headline, these tend to sit under your CV header and comprise a short paragraph of several sentences.
If you choose to add a CV headline, you’ll want to pick out one or two skills, achievements or experiences that showcase your best qualities and credentials for the role. Take some time to craft an impactful sentence that encapsulates what you’ll bring to the role. If you write a CV headline, you don’t need to add a CV title. You can still write a CV summary or objective, but just make sure it doesn’t replicate your CV headline or cover the same skills and achievements.
Why is a CV Headline Important?
As the UK job market becomes ever-more competitive, it’s critical to find ways to help your application stand out. It’s common for single job vacancies to elicit hundreds of applications, and studies have suggested recruiters and hiring managers spend an average of seven seconds reading each CV. This means you don’t have long to make a positive impression on the reader. A CV headline is one of the quickest and most effective ways of hooking the reader in and encouraging them to read your CV in greater detail.
Another feature of the modern job market is applicant tracking systems (ATS). These software applications can reduce the burden on recruiters and hiring managers by automating or assisting with various tasks throughout the selection process. This typically includes screening CVs to identity the best potential candidates for any given vacancy. ATS applications tend to do this by scanning your CV for keywords and phrases that match the job description. Your CV headline is a useful way to incorporate some keywords from the job description, boosting your chances of reaching the next stage of the recruitment process.
Expert tip:
Don’t try to fit too much into your CV headline. Focus on one or two critical skills that are essential for the role, and show briefly how you’ve used them to positive effect in your career to date. While you’ll want to avoid repetition in your CV, you can expand on the detail in your CV headline within your CV summary, work experience, education or skills sections.
How to Write an Effective CV Headline
If you’re looking to add a headline to your CV, follow this step-by-step guide to make the best possible impression with hiring managers:
- 1. Draft your CV: You’ll probably want to write your CV headline as one of the last things before you finish your CV draft. Write your CV as normal, so you can review it and write a CV headline that best reflects the content.
- 2. Identify your key selling points: Before you write your CV headline, take some time to consider your unique selling points that will make you stand out from other candidates. Think about your top skills, key career achievements or major qualifications.
- 3. Tailor it to the job description: Pay particular attention to the job description when writing your CV headline and include keywords that match it. For best results, you’ll want your CV headline to include at least one of the most essential job-relevant skills or experiences listed in the job description.
- 4. Keep it short and specific: Aim for one sentence between 10 and 15 words, and work on your headline to make it as concise and impactful as possible. Write in the silent first-person perspective and use abridged language (omitting words like ‘the’, ‘a’, ‘to’ and ‘that’). Avoid clichés like ‘hard-working’, ‘results oriented’ or ‘team player’, and instead be specific about your skills and qualities.
For further tips and step-by-step guides on crafting an effective CV, read Jobseeker’s extensive library of CV articles.
Examples of CV Headlines for UK Job Seekers
Here are some CV examples of headlines for UK jobseekers, to give you inspiration when writing your own:
IT and technology:
- “Full-stack developer with expertise in Python, React, and AWS.”
- “Cybersecurity specialist with expertise in data governance, risk management, and regulatory compliance.”
- “Cloud network engineer specialising in hybrid cloud networking, SD-WAN, and automation for modern IT environments.”
Marketing:
- “Data-driven digital marketer with proven ROI results in paid media campaigns.”
- “Experienced account manager with track record of leading multi-channel campaigns, client communications, and revenue growth.”
- “Innovative creative director with expertise developing compelling visual and digital content that drives audience engagement.”
Finance:
- “ACCA-certified accountant with expertise in tax compliance and financial analysis.”
- “Skilled financial analyst, experienced in forecasting, modelling, data analysis, and strategic planning to drive business growth.”
- “Investment manager with 10 years’ experience in market research, portfolio management, and risk assessment for informed investment decisions.”
Healthcare:
- “NHS-experienced nurse specialising in acute patient care and health education.”
- “Dedicated physiotherapist specialising in rehabilitation, pain management, and tailored treatment plans.”
- “Healthcare manager with extensive experience overseeing clinical operations, staff management, and ensuring compliance with CQC standards.
Entry-level
- “Recent business graduate with internship experience in market research and analysis.”
- “Enthusiastic and creative marketing graduate, with a passion for digital campaigns, content creation, and brand growth.”
- “Organised and people-focused graduate, with a keen interest in training, employee engagement, and HR operations.”
Experienced Professional:
- “Results-oriented marketing manager with 10+ years in B2B campaign strategy.”
- “Seasoned financial expert specialising in budgeting, forecasting, and risk management.”
- “Senior project manager with track record managing complex projects, optimising workflows, and delivering on time and within budget.”
Career Changer:
- “Experienced teacher transitioning to learning & development specialist roles.”
- “Consultant with 8 years’ experience, interested in exploring environmental impact, ESG strategies, and corporate sustainability initiatives.”
- “Graphic designer seeking transition into UX development, including user-centred design, wireframing, and digital experience optimisation.”
Freelancer:
- “Freelance graphic designer specialising in brand identity and UX/UI design.”
- “Freelance copywriter specialising in SEO content, social media, and video scripting for diverse audiences.”
- “Self-employed UX developer with expertise in front-end and back-end development of responsive, high-performance websites.”
"A CV headline is one of the quickest and most effective ways of hooking the reader in and encouraging them to read your CV in greater detail."
Dos and Don’ts for an Effective CV Headline
Follow these tips to ensure your CV headline gives you the upper hand with your job applications:
- Don’t use generic language: Falling into clichés and unspecific language means your CV headline will lack impact, and it may fail to inspire the reader to read on in more detail.
For example: “Experienced project manager with outstanding organisation and leadership skills.”
- Do use keywords to tailor your headline: Filling your CV headline with specific skills and examples of your experience will make it instantly more engaging, and give the reader an indication that you’re suitable for the job. Adding keywords that reference specific skills and experience from the job description will also help your CV pass the ATS stage.
For example: “Project manager with 10 years’ experience in project planning, budgeting, resource allocation and risk management.”
- Don’t make your headline too long: An over-long CV headline takes up valuable space and can make your CV design appear fussy and cluttered.
For example: “A dedicated, driven quality consultant with seven years’ experience designing quality control systems for major companies, providing auditing services to ensure continued regulatory compliance.”
- Do write a concise headline a maximum of one sentence long: Aim for a concise sentence of between 10 and 15 words, avoiding full sentences. Write several drafts of your CV headline, then distil it down to its purest, most impactful form. This may take several attempts across different applications, but it will be worth it.
For example: “Experienced quality consultant, designing complex quality systems and delivering auditing services.”
- Don’t repeat yourself between your headline and CV summary: A CV headline that repeats information from your CV summary is a waste of space and risks disengaging the reader.
- Do focus on different skills and strengths in your headline and CV summary: Make sure your CV headline and summary include different skills and examples of experience and achievements. If you’re adding your CV headline at the end of drafting the document, make sure you have some key skills left over that add new, interesting information about yourself. You’ll want to save your biggest strengths and qualities for your CV headline.=
- Don’t use jargon or overly complex language: A CV headline that’s filled with industry jargon or business-speak will be harder to read, while this type of language can be a major turn-off for recruiters and hiring managers.
For example: “Dynamic, synergistic specialist driving operational excellence.”
- Do use simple, professional language: Focus on keeping your language as simple and professional as possible. Explaining your qualities and strengths using simple, unassuming language shows humility, as well as an ability to explain complex themes and ideas in their simplest terms.
For example: “Operations manager specialising in productivity and efficiency gains.”
- Don’t oversell or make unverifiable claims: Overselling your skills and achievements in your CV headline can set you up to fail further along the recruitment process, when employers will start to understand more about your experience. Including unverifiable details or exclamations about your performance and abilities are likely to disengage recruiters and hiring managers.
For example: “World-class sales executive with market-leading sales figures and prestigious client portfolio.”
- Do provide evidence to showcase your achievements: Employers tend to prefer evidence and verifiable data over platitudes and unprovable exclamations. Any evidence you can add to your CV headline to show your skills or career achievements will help the reader to form a quick opinion of your suitability for the role. Mention your skills and experience neutrally, without adding overly descriptive, positive adjectives such as ‘outstanding’, ‘distinguished’ or ‘renowned’. The reader will form their own opinion on your credentials based on the facts submitted in your CV.
For example: “Tech sales executive, delivering £4million p/a sales to financial services firms, with 72% retention rate.”
- Don’t let your headline blend into your CV: You’ll want your CV headline to catch the attention of the reader, so make sure it doesn’t blend in too much to the rest of the design.
- Do make your headline stand out: Add your CV headline in the header, under your name but above your contact details. Choose from CV templates with clear, attractive and professional designs that give your content space to breathe, while remaining easy to read. Consider adding your headline in bold or larger text or a different font to the rest of your CV, to make it stand out.
Key Takeaways for a Winning UK Job Market CV Headline
A well-written headline can help your CV catch the eye of the reader and convince them to take your application seriously. Together with the rest of your CV and cover letter content, a CV headline that’s tailored to the job description, uses simple, professional language and provides evidence of your skills and achievements can improve your chances of success. Jobseeker provides CV and cover letter templates to help you quickly and easily craft a winning job application. Sign up today to access a wealth of CV resources and cover letter articles to boost your job applications.
