Step 3: Header

---

---

---

---

Of course, you want the prospective employer to know your name and how to get a hold of you for an interview. So naturally the best place for this information is at the top of the page. You can create a header in any word processing software program. Once you create the header, it will appear on every page of your resume document. This step gives a breakdown of what to include in the header including format along with a few examples for you to choose from. Obviously changing it to your own information!

What do I need to include in the header?

1. Name.Try to use your full name. You may include your nickname in quotes between your first and last name such as James “Skip” Peterson. You should use your discretion if nicknames are appropriate depending on the job you are applying for and the research you have done on the position and the companies.  
2. Home Address. Self explanatory!
3. Phone No. You may include both your cell phone and land line numbers.  
4. Email Address. Please make sure your email address is appropriate. You really don’t want your future employer to wonder why you chose [email protected]. You can create a free email account with such sites as msn.com and gmail.com.  Setup an account using your first and last name. If you have a common name, you can play a bit with the setup such as [email protected] or work in your middle name or initial as in [email protected].
5. Website. If you have a professional website, blog and/or portfolio site where employers may view your work, include it here. Avoid including social media sites unless they are conducive to the job you are applying for. You may use a link to your professional social media site such as LinkedIn.

How should I format it?
There are many options for formatting your header. The style is your choice; however, you want to keep it in a format that anyone can read and understand. Therefore, the font and size should be traditional. You can’t go wrong with Arial, Times New Roman, and Courier. Keep the size between 10 and 12. Also, highlight your name in bold to make yourself stand out!

Some examples for you to try:
 
JOHN D. SMITH
1313 Mockingbird Lane
Hollywood, CA 90028
(323) 111-2222
[email protected]
www.johnsmith.com
 
Mary Jones
123 Elm Drive
Allentown, PA 18103
(619) 333-0000
[email protected]
 
Jason W. Sheltfield
456 Main Street
Colorado Springs, CO 18106
610-456-8899
[email protected]

You get the picture.  Easy so far.  Let’s move on to the next step.