What to Put in Your CV Header
Your CV header is your first impression. Learn exactly what to include, what to leave out, and how to format it for UK recruiters.
## The Essentials
Your CV header should contain four things: your name, your target title, your contact details, and your LinkedIn URL. Nothing more.
This section takes 5% of your CV but carries 50% of the first impression. Get it wrong, and recruiters assume the rest is sloppy too.
## The Four Elements
**1. Your Name**
Make it the largest text on the page. Bold. No title (Mr/Ms). No middle names unless you use them professionally.
**2. Your Professional Title**
This is your target role, not your current job. If you're a Senior Analyst aiming for Manager roles, write "Finance Manager" not "Senior Analyst."
**3. Contact Details**
Three items only:
- Mobile number (with country code for international applications)
- Professional email (firstname.lastname format)
- City and country (not your full address)
**4. LinkedIn URL**
Use your custom vanity URL. Remove the `https://www.` prefix. It should read: `linkedin.com/in/yourname`
## Example Header
```copy
JANE SMITH
Commercial Director
+44 7700 900456 | jane.smith@email.com | London, UK
linkedin.com/in/janesmith
```
Clean. Scannable. Professional.
> **Pro tip:** See how a polished header looks in practice on [Gary Pine's LinkedIn profile](https://www.linkedin.com/in/garypine/).
## What to Leave Out
These items waste space or create problems:
- **Full home address** — Recruiters don't need it. It's a GDPR risk.
- **Date of birth** — Age discrimination is real. Don't invite it.
- **Nationality or visa status** — Only include if the job advert requests it.
- **Photo** — Standard in some countries, but not in the UK.
- **"Curriculum Vitae" as a heading** — The recruiter knows what it is.
## Common Mistakes
**The cluttered header**
Too many phone numbers, multiple email addresses, full postal address. Pick one of each.
**The unprofessional email**
`coolguy1987@hotmail.com` signals you haven't updated your CV since 2005. Create a simple Gmail address.
**The missing LinkedIn**
If you don't include it, recruiters will search for you anyway. Control the narrative by linking directly.
## Pre-Flight Checklist
Before you send your CV:
- [ ] Name is the largest, boldest text on the page.
- [ ] Professional title matches your target role.
- [ ] Email uses firstname.lastname format.
- [ ] LinkedIn URL is included and uses a custom vanity URL.
- [ ] Full home address is removed.
- [ ] No date of birth, nationality, or photo.
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*For more on CV layout and design, explore our [Format & Layout](/format-and-layout) insights.*