Posted On15 Jul 2020
Updated On03 Sep 2024
What Are the Main Sections of a Resume?
It doesn’t matter if you’re a recent graduate or a career journeyman with years of work experience — resumes are just notoriously difficult to write.
Fortunately, there are ways to make the ever-daunting task of resume writing easier. It all begins by knowing and understanding the key resume sections of this all-too-important application document. Here are the five resume sections to include.
1. Personal Details/Contact Info
When writing your resume, be sure to include the following personal details at the top of the document:
- Name
- Address
- Phone number and email
- LinkedIn profile link
Of all the resume sections, this one may seem like a no-brainer, but you’ll be surprised to know that aside from their name, many applicants forget to add any type of personal details in their resume. So make sure your resume header has all of the above, and double-check for accuracy.
2. Resume Objective/Summary
The second part of your resume is where you shine a spotlight on the most important qualities that you possess. This is the place for your biggest accomplishments and intentions for your career moving forward.
Ideally, objective/summary resume sections should be up to three to five sentences long, describing your strongest character traits and how you plan to help the employer achieve their goals. Focus on what you have to offer to the company or business. Make sure the rest of your resume supports what you’ve written in your objective/summary section.
3. Skills
Skills resume sections are usually where the applicant lists specific skills that relate to the position. Make this section easier to scan by summing up your main skills into a short, bulleted list instead of whole sentences or paragraphs.
Before you begin writing this section, review the job posting to see exactly what skills the employer is looking for, and apply the right keywords so that the recruiter can immediately know what you are capable of. Highlight the hard and soft skills that would make you stand out in the eyes of the recruiter.
4. Professional Experience
Professional experience resume sections typically contain your previous jobs, but you can also include volunteer work, special projects, internships, consulting gigs, and extra training you may have had. There’s no need to itemize all of your past work—just include the ones that are relevant to the position you’re applying for. And make sure you use the reverse-chronological format, beginning with your most recent professional experience.
This is probably the trickiest section to write, especially if you’re applying to an American company, because US resumes are typically only one page long. So be prepared to give this part the time it needs to be done right.
5. Education
This part of your resume details your educational background. Include the name of the last educational institution you attended, whether university, college, academy, or high school. List down the degree/s you completed, along with any academic achievements or citations that may have been awarded to you.
If you’re a multiple-degree holder, list them in reverse chronological order.
If you are a recent graduate with little to no job experience to speak of, you may need to put Education at the top of your functional resume sections. If this is the case, you may add your high school education information to make your resume look more well-rounded and complete.
6. Optional Sections
While optional resume sections might not be game-changers, they can help you stand out from other qualified candidates. Including these sections can make you more memorable to recruiters:
- Language you can speak: Employers appreciate applicants with diverse language skills, as they can be valuable in the office. Including any languages you speak can give you an edge over other candidates.
- Hobbies and interests: Hobbies and interests can reveal much about your personality. Select hobbies that are relevant to the job and showcase your skills or creativity. Even if they're not directly related, they can help build a connection with potential employers.
- Volunteering experience: Volunteer work is impressive, especially if the company values community involvement. It shows your passion and can count as work experience, which is particularly beneficial for recent graduates. Include the organization's name, location, time period, and your relevant tasks and achievements.
- Certifications and awards: This section allows you to highlight any certifications or awards that validate your skills. List the name of the award or certification, the date, and a brief description of its significance.
- Projects: Including a projects section can showcase your practical experience, whether from college or personal side projects. This demonstrates curiosity and initiative. Format entries like work experience, listing the project name, type, related organization, time period, and key responsibilities and achievements.
- Extracurricular activities: For recent graduates, this section can highlight your involvement in university clubs or societies, showcasing your ability to work on a team and your organizational skills. List your position, the club/organization name, and your achievements.
Should You Add Optional Info to Your Resume?
It’s possible to have additional info that could be relevant to the job but does not fit in with the other sections. Uncommon resume sections include hobbies and interests, references, publications, language skills, and more. Before you include this section, ensure that every detail you add makes you a better candidate for the position.
Equally important is crafting a compelling email subject line when submitting your resume, as it can significantly influence whether your application is opened or overlooked. A well-thought-out subject line can set the tone for the rest of your application, especially for those seeking executive roles where attention to detail is critical. To enhance your chances, consider using executive resume writing services, which can provide tailored guidance to ensure your application stands out from the competition.
What Is the Best Order of Resume Sections?
There are three ways to arrange the sections of your resume:
1. Reverse-Chronological Resume Structure
The reverse-chronological resume format remains the most popular to date. It highlights your work experience and skills, making it a preferred choice for many professionals. As the name suggests, this format lists your job history in reverse order, making it easy for recruiters to follow. The sections are typically arranged as follows:
- Personal details
- Resume objective or summary
- Professional experience
- Skills
- Education
- Optional sections
2. Recent Graduate Resume Structure
- Personal details
- Resume objective or summary
- Education
- Skills
- Professional experience (if applicable)
- Optional sections
3. Career Change Resume Structure
- Personal details
- Resume objective or summary
- Skills
- Professional experience
- Optional sections/education
- Education/optional sections
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