When crafting a resume, it’s important to include key sections that highlight your qualifications, experiences, and skills in a clear and professional manner. Below is a guide for must-have sections and key information to include in a resume:
Contact Information
Ensure that your contact details are up-to-date and clearly displayed at the top of your resume.
- Full Name: Your first and last name.
- Phone Number: A phone number where you can be easily reached.
- Email Address: A professional email address (avoid using personal or inappropriate emails).
- LinkedIn Profile (optional, but recommended): Include a link to your LinkedIn profile if it’s updated.
- Portfolio/Website (optional): If relevant (for design, writing, or technical roles), include a link to your online portfolio or personal website.
- Location: City and country (you don’t need to include your full address unless required).
Professional Summary (Optional, but Recommended)
A brief, impactful statement that summarizes your experience, skills, and career goals. Tailor it to the position you are applying for.
Example: “Highly motivated marketing professional with over 5 years of experience in digital marketing, SEO, and content creation. Proven ability to increase brand awareness and drive online engagement. Seeking to contribute my expertise in content strategy and analytics to a dynamic team.”
Key Skills
A list of your most relevant skills that align with the job you’re applying for. This section is particularly important for Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), as they often search for specific keywords.
Example:
- Digital Marketing
- Data Analysis
- Project Management
- Communication
- Content Creation
- Leadership
- Team Collaboration
- Problem-Solving
NOTE :- Tip: Tailor this section based on the job description you’re applying for.
Professional Experience
This is one of the most important sections of your resume. List your most recent job experiences and accomplishments, focusing on how you made an impact in each role.
- Job Title: Your official title (e.g., Marketing Manager, Software Developer).
- Company Name: The company or organization you worked for.
- Location: City and country where the company is based.
- Dates of Employment: Month and year you started and ended the role (e.g., June 2019 – Present).
- Key Responsibilities and Achievements: Use bullet points to list your key duties and accomplishments. Focus on quantifiable achievements whenever possible (e.g., “Increased sales by 20% over 6 months” or “Managed a team of 5 employees”).
Example:
Marketing Manager
XYZ Corp, New York, NY | June 2020 – Present
Developed and implemented digital marketing strategies that increased website traffic by 35% in the first quarter.
Managed a team of 4 marketing professionals to execute campaigns across email, social media, and content marketing.
Collaborated with the sales team to improve lead generation, resulting in a 25% increase in qualified leads.
Education
List your highest level of education first, along with any relevant certifications, training, or courses.
- Degree (e.g., Bachelor of Arts in Marketing)
- University Name: The institution you graduated from.
- Graduation Date: Month and year of graduation (or expected graduation date).
- Relevant Coursework (optional, if applicable to the job you’re applying for).
- Certifications: Include any relevant certifications (e.g., Google Analytics, PMP, AWS Certified Solutions Architect).
Example: Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
University of XYZ | Graduated: May 2020
Certifications:
AWS Certified Solutions Architect
Google Analytics Certified
Achievements or Awards (Optional)
If you have received any notable awards or recognition in your career, include them here. This could include employee of the month, sales awards, or academic achievements.
Example: Employee of the Year – XYZ Corp, 2022
Top Sales Performer – Increased revenue by 30% in Q4 2021
Volunteer Experience (Optional, but Recommended)
If you have volunteer experience that is relevant to the position you’re applying for, include it here. This section can highlight leadership skills, community involvement, or transferable skills.
Example: Volunteer Coordinator
ABC Charity, New York, NY | March 2021 – Present
Organized fundraising events that raised $10,000 for local children’s education programs.
Led a team of 10 volunteers to support event planning and logistics.
Languages (Optional)
If you speak multiple languages, list them here with your level of proficiency (e.g., Beginner, Intermediate, Fluent, Native).
Example: English: Native
Spanish: Fluent
French: Intermediate
References (Optional)
You can include references if requested, or simply state “Available upon request”. Avoid including personal contact information of references unless specifically asked.
Example: “References available upon request.”
Additional Sections (Optional)
Depending on your field or the specific job you are applying for, you may want to add extra sections. Some possibilities include:
- Projects: Relevant personal or professional projects you’ve worked on.
- Publications: Articles, books, or research papers you’ve written or contributed to.
- Technical Skills: Specific software, programming languages, or tools you are proficient in (e.g., Python, SQL, Adobe Creative Suite).
- Professional Affiliations: Memberships in professional organizations or associations (e.g., IEEE, PMI).
Formatting Tips:
- Clarity: Use a clean, easy-to-read format with sufficient white space.
- Font: Use professional fonts like Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman.
- Consistency: Ensure consistent formatting for headings, bullet points, and dates.
- Length: Keep your resume concise—ideally one page for less experienced candidates and up to two pages for more experienced professionals.
Conclusion:
A well-crafted resume is essential for making a strong impression on potential employers. By including the must-have sections—contact information, a professional summary (optional), key skills, professional experience, education, and any relevant achievements or certifications—you’ll ensure that your resume stands out and effectively showcases your qualifications. Be sure to tailor your resume to the specific job you’re applying for by highlighting the most relevant experience and skills.
Remove these to make your CV look more clean and professional:
- 1 – High School & Primary School Info (if you already attend university or experienced candidate): Deleted.
- Hobbies: Remove explanation. Don’t need to specify hobbies unless directly relevant to the job.
- Inappropriate email addresses (e.g. Drama queen, CaroMsupa, crazy gamer, PartyAnimal4Life not going to get you a job): Use professional email like “[Your Name]@ [Email Provider]”
- Long paragraphs: Use bullet points to make it clearer (also, most recruiters don’t have time to read through all your words)
- Irrelevant work experience: Deleted
- Irrelevant skills: Deleted
- Your marital status, date of birth, religion : Deleted
- Lastly remove your ID number.
MUST INCLUDE:
- Contact information
- KPIs to measure your performance
- Achievements
- Clean and minimal template
- Key words and phrases
- Value and Strengths
