What are the sections that you should include on a resume?

As a certified professional resume writer, I meet a diverse range of clients every day. One of the most common questions they ask me (apart from the obvious “Is it okay to have a two-page resume?” question) is: What are the sections that I should add to my resume?

The answer I give my clients changes based on their industry, career level, and target job title. There are no hard and fast rules about the sections you should include on your resume. There’s a lot of room on your resume for you to play around to suit your unique situation. Today, we will have a look at the different sections you can add to your resume.

What are the sections that your resume must include

These are the sections that your resume must have, no matter the kind of job you are applying for.

Contact information

This is the first section you will see on any resume. Sometimes, the contact info will be preceded by a short resume headline. Be sure to mention your name followed by your credentials at the top of the resume. Then, follow your name with basic contact information such as your:

• Phone number
• Email address
• Location (city and state are sufficient)
• LinkedIn profile link
• Links to your portfolio/social media/website/blog

Summary

Follow your contact information with a brief description of your qualifications. The resume summary is often referred to as a “career snapshot” because it captures the essence of your career. Mention three of your best skills, accomplishments, and other qualifications. It is best to write your summary statement last.

Work experience

The career history section is the most important section of your resume as it captures the history of your entire career in a few lines. Follow reverse chronological order to list your most relevant experiences on your resume.

Education

Your resume must show employers that you have the right educational background for the job. List your most recent and relevant qualifications here. If you have a professional degree, there is no need to mention your GED or high school diploma.

Skills

The skills section is an essential component of your resume. This section helps you display a lot of relevant keywords on the document. Use 10-15 bullet points to highlight your best and most relevant job-related skills. Mention a good mix of hard, soft, and transferable skills.

What are additional resume sections that you can add?

Apart from the essential sections we discussed above, there are a number of extra sections that you can add to your resume.

Awards and recognition

Want to show employers that you have been recognized academically and professionally for your talents? Create an awards and recognition section for your resume. Be sure to mention the title of the award, the awarding body, and the year for each award.

Language skills

If you are applying for a job where knowing a second or third language will be beneficial, create a language skills section for your resume. Mention your proficiency level against each language on the list.

Publications

If you are writing a resume for an academic position, you must definitely include a publications section. Follow APA style to list your publications.

Patents and projects

If you are an innovative individual and want to highlight your personal or professional projects on your resume, you can create dedicated Projects and Patents sections. Be sure to be brief when talking about your projects.

Accomplishments

One way to draw attention to your accomplishments on a resume is to create a dedicated Achievements section. List your professional and academic achievements on your resume with quantified results.

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