Resume Header and Contact Information: The Complete Guide
Your resume header is the first thing every recruiter sees. Get the formatting, content, and contact details right with this complete guide.
The Resume Header: Your First Impression
Your resume header occupies the most valuable real estate on the page—the top. It is the first thing a recruiter sees and the section they return to when they want to contact you. A clean, professional header sets the tone for the entire document.
The header should include your full name, professional title or headline, phone number, email address, LinkedIn profile URL, location (city and state only), and optionally a portfolio or personal website link. It should be easy to scan in under five seconds.
Many candidates overcomplicate their headers with full mailing addresses, multiple phone numbers, or decorative elements. In 2026, simplicity and digital-first thinking are key.
Name and Professional Title
Your name should be the largest text on the page—typically 16 to 22 point font in bold. Use the name you go by professionally. If your legal name differs from your preferred name, use your preferred name on your resume and your legal name on official forms.
Below your name, include a professional title or headline that tells the recruiter what you do. This should match the role you are applying for: "Senior Software Engineer," "Digital Marketing Manager," or "Certified Public Accountant." Avoid vague titles like "Results-Driven Professional."
If you have prestigious credentials that are commonly listed after names in your field (CPA, PMP, PhD, RN, PE), include them after your name: "Sarah Johnson, CPA" or "James Chen, PhD." Only include credentials that are relevant and recognized in your target industry.
Phone Number and Email
Include one phone number—your personal cell phone. Do not list a work phone number or multiple numbers. Format it consistently: (555) 123-4567 or 555-123-4567. If you are applying internationally, include the country code.
Your email address should be professional. firstname.lastname@gmail.com or firstnamelastname@gmail.com are ideal. Avoid nicknames (coolguy99@gmail.com), political statements, or outdated providers that signal age (AOL, Hotmail). If your current email is not professional, create a new one specifically for your job search.
Do not include your full mailing address on your resume. City and state (or city and country for international applications) is sufficient. Including your full address wastes space, raises privacy concerns, and can introduce location bias into the hiring process.
LinkedIn and Online Presence
Your LinkedIn profile URL belongs on your resume. Over 90% of recruiters use LinkedIn during the hiring process, and a missing LinkedIn link is a red flag. Customize your LinkedIn URL to remove the random numbers: linkedin.com/in/yourname.
Include additional links if they strengthen your candidacy. Developers should link to their GitHub profile. Designers should link to their portfolio. Writers should link to published work. Only include links that showcase professionally relevant content.
Do not include social media links unless your social media is professionally relevant. A social media manager should link to their Twitter/X. A graphic designer might link to their Instagram. An accountant generally should not include any social media links.
Location: How Much to Share
List your city and state (or city and country for international searches). This tells employers whether you are local, need relocation, or are in a compatible time zone for remote work. "San Francisco, CA" or "London, UK" is sufficient.
If you are open to relocation, you can note this briefly: "Austin, TX (open to relocation)" or "Currently in Chicago, willing to relocate to NYC." This proactively addresses one of the first questions a hiring manager asks.
For fully remote positions, some candidates list "Remote" as their location. This is acceptable if you are specifically targeting remote roles. For hybrid or in-office roles, always list your actual city and state so the employer knows your commute situation.
Header Formatting and ATS Considerations
Do not place your contact information in a text box, header, or footer in your document. Many ATS systems cannot read content in these areas, which means your name, phone number, and email could be stripped out entirely.
Use a simple, single-column layout for your header. Two-column headers can look visually appealing but can confuse ATS systems that read from left to right. Place all information in a clear vertical or single-line layout.
TechnCV's resume templates are designed with ATS-safe headers that look professional while ensuring every piece of contact information is correctly parsed. Build your resume with confidence that your header will survive any ATS system.