The phrase "resume label" has different meanings depending on its use and application. However, all connotations directly relate to writing, sending and electronically storing a job resume. The phrase is a jack of all trades when it comes to resume-writing words. When applying for a new job, you'll likely use at least one, if not all four meanings, to create an effective resume.
Resume Headings
The most frequent use of resume labels is to separate content in your resume into smaller sections, making it more organized, readable and visually appealing. Nobody likes to read a resume that looks like one giant run-on sentence. You might use resume labels such as "Education," "Experience," "Skills," "Activities" or "Awards" to describe your job qualifications. According to the University of Virginia, attention-grabbing resume labels, or headings, give your resume identity, helping it stand out from other applicants' resumes. You might add descriptive adjectives to your resume labels such as "Graduate School Achievements," "Journalism Experience" or "Technical Computer Skills" if you want your resume to appear detailed and industry specific.
Electronic Files
Resume labels are used to distinguish electronic resume files on a computer. Since one resume probably won't work for all job positions you're applying for, you must create a unique label for each version of your resume. You may want to use the name of the company or the job title in your resume label, or file name. Choose a label that's professional and appropriate since the recipient will be able to see it. Electronic resume labels help ensure that you don't send a company-specific resume to the wrong employer -- huge mistake. Electronic resume file labels are absolutely necessary if you include an objective statement on your resume that changes with each employment opportunity.
Key Words
Resume labels are key words that an employer searches for electronically when looking for qualified job candidates in a database. Computer software programs help hiring managers screen mass numbers of resumes quickly, so they don't waste time sorting through resumes of underqualified applicants. According to Oakton Community College, the more key-word-specific resume labels you use, the more likely your resume will surface as a qualified applicant from the database, now or in the future. Key words are usually specific to the industry or job description but often include job titles, specific skills, years of experience, leadership qualifications, education, people skills and managerial experience.
Resume Title
A resume label is your name and contact information, located at the top of the first page. Never write the word "Resume" as part of your label. Resume formats are obvious to hiring hiring managers and employers, so there's no need to label it with the word "Resume." You can center, left-justify or separate your name and contact information as long as that label is the first information a potential employer sees when she reviews your resume.
