Top section

The top half of your resume must invite the reader to continue reading. It's what the reader notices first, whether they're seeing it in print or on a computer screen. Here are some tips to make your resume top section work for you.

Maya's example:

Here's what to include at the top of your resume, in a header section:

• Name. This can be your full name or another name that you prefer to be called. If you have a work-related designation or title, you can include it after your name. Notice that Maya added her CAPM (Certified Associate in Project Management) designation after her name. This supports her current goal to be a project coordinator.
• City and state. There is no need to include your full address on a resume.
• Personal email address. This provides a convenient, confidential way for employers to contact you. Make sure your email address is professional; if it isn't, sign up for a free account from Google or another trusted provider.
• LinkedIn or portfolio link. Include your LinkedIn link if you have a complete profile and maintain it regularly. If you have a personal professional website or portfolio, include that link in your header.
• Phone number. Like an email address, this is another convenient and confidential way for employers to contact you.

Here's how Maya grabs the reader’s attention and communicates a strong sense of her experience and qualifications

• A strong headline (Project Coordinator) lines up under her name. This gives the reader a sense that Maya is already a project coordinator.
• A strong summary communicates her talents, skills, and initiative. We get an immediate sense of Maya as a capable professional.
• She adds an optional testimonial that provides specific information on one of her top achievements as an administrative assistant.