How to Format a CV Header (Best Practices & Examples)

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CV Headers and Footers

Why Your CV Header Matters

When crafting a standout CV, the focus is usually on experience, education, and skills—but your CV header is just as crucial. It’s the first thing a recruiter sees, setting the tone for the rest of your application.

A poorly formatted header can make your CV look unprofessional or outdated—and in a competitive job market, first impressions count.

This guide will show you how to format your CV header correctly, with best practices, real examples, and common mistakes to avoid. If you’re looking for expert feedback on your CV, check out CV Rescue for a professional review.

What Is a CV Header? (And Why It’s Important)

Your CV header is the top section of your CV that contains your name, contact details, and professional branding. It’s like a business card for recruiters—if it’s clear and well-structured, it makes your application easier to process.

A Strong CV Header Should:

✔ Instantly identify who you are
✔ Provide easy access to your contact details
✔ Communicate professionalism & attention to detail

CV Header Example (Best Practice Template)

💡 Example of a Well-Formatted CV Header:

📌 John Smith
Marketing Manager
📞 +44 7123 456789 | ✉ johnsmith@email.com
🔗 linkedin.com/in/johnsmith
🌍 London, UK

📌 Why This Works:

✅ Name stands out with bold formatting.
✅ Professional title immediately clarifies role.
✅ Key contact details are easy to find.
✅ LinkedIn profile & location add extra credibility.

What to Include in Your CV Header

A strong CV header should contain the following elements:

1️⃣ Name & Professional Title (Essential)

  • Your full name should be the largest text in the header.
  • Your job title (or target role) should go directly below your name.

2️⃣ Contact Information (Must-Have)

  • Phone Number (Preferably your mobile)
  • Email Address (Use a professional one, e.g., firstname.lastname@email.com)
  • LinkedIn Profile (Ensure your profile is up to date)

3️⃣ Optional but Useful Information

📌 Personal Website or Portfolio → Great for designers, writers, or developers.
📌 Location (City & Country) → Useful for recruiters considering relocation.

🚫 What NOT to Include:

  • Full home address (Not necessary)
  • Date of birth (Age discrimination concerns)
  • Social media links (Unless job-related, like GitHub for developers)

What About the CV Footer? (Should You Include One?)

A CV footer is optional but can add extra professionalism and organisation, especially for multi-page CVs.

🔹 Recommended Elements for a CV Footer:

✅ Page numbers (e.g., “Page 1 of 2”)
✅ Last updated date (Shows recruiters your CV is current)
✅ Your name (Useful for printed CVs)

🚫 What NOT to include in the footer:

  • Overloading it with unnecessary details
  • Long disclaimers or privacy statements (Recruiters don’t need this)

CV Header Formatting Tips

To ensure maximum impact, your CV header should be easy to read and professionally formatted.

✅ Best Practices for Formatting Your CV Header:

✔ Use a clean, professional font (Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman)
✔ Keep it simple—avoid excessive graphics or colors
✔ Ensure proper spacing so it doesn’t look cluttered
✔ Make your name stand out (slightly larger font size or bold)

Common CV Header Mistakes to Avoid

🚫 1. Using a Generic Header (Like “Curriculum Vitae”)
🔹 Your name should be the first thing a recruiter sees, not “CV” or “Resume.”

🚫 2. Cluttered & Overloaded with Details
🔹 Avoid extra links, unnecessary details, or long disclaimers.

🚫 3. Inconsistent Formatting
🔹 Ensure font, spacing, and text alignment are clean & professional.

🚫 4. Using an Unprofessional Email Address
🔹 Avoid emails like coolguy123@email.com—use a first.last@email.com format.

Quick CV Header Checklist

✅ Is your name clear and bold?
✅ Have you included your job title and contact details?
✅ Is your email professional?
✅ Have you linked to your LinkedIn profile (if relevant)?
✅ Is the formatting clean & easy to scan?

Final Thoughts – Get Your CV Header Right!

A strong CV header ensures your application looks professional, polished, and recruiter-friendly.

Quick Fix: Check your CV header right now—does it follow these best practices?

🛠 Need a full CV review?

Visit CV Rescue for expert feedback and quick improvements.

🔹 Taking 5 minutes to improve your CV header could be the difference between getting shortlisted or overlooked—make it count!

💡 The CV 140 Framework

Modern recruiting is a machine. To navigate it successfully, you need more than just a document—you need a strategy. I’ve broken down the four essential pillars of a winning executive profile over on my dedicated site, CV140.

CV Header FAQs: Your First Impression Counts

I’m often asked about CV headers during reviews—especially whether certain details should be included or left out. Here are the most common questions I hear when helping jobseekers polish the top of their CVs.

What is a CV header?

A CV header is the section at the top of your CV that includes your name, job title, and contact details. Think of it like your CV’s business card—clear, clean, and instantly informative.

No. I recommend just listing your city and country. Full addresses are outdated and may raise privacy concerns. Recruiters rarely need your street address anymore.

Absolutely—and you should. I often advise clients to treat LinkedIn like a digital reference point. Just make sure the URL is clean and your profile is up to date.

Yes, especially if you’re in a creative or technical field. Writers, developers, designers, and consultants often benefit from linking to portfolios or personal sites that back up their experience.

Using “Curriculum Vitae” as the main heading. Your name should be the headline—not the document type. Make it bold, visible, and the first thing that stands out.

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