What to Include in a Resume

The details you put on your resume are essential in painting a picture of you. Thus, it is important to know what to include in a resume as this would lead to the questions asked by your interviewer. It is then beneficial to ensure that all information contained in your resume is clear and concise.

As a general rule, the different sections in a resume can be done and presented in varied forms. Since your resume is a representation of you, take note that what to include in a resume should be those that are related to the job you are applying for. As a whole, this would be beneficial in representing your abilities and skills. Therefore, what to include in a resume? Listed below are the essential sections of a resume.

Contact Information

Knowing what to include in a resume is truly significant to come up with an effective one. And contact information comes first, which is found at the topmost portion of your resume. This includes your name, address, e-mail address, and phone numbers. If you are presently studying in a university, write down both your current address and permanent address. Make sure that your answering machine and e-mail address are professional.

Objective

An additional thing on what to include in a resume is your objective, though this aspect is not mandatory. However, if you are going to write your objective, make it specific to the job you are applying. This should be brief and concise, though not too broad or too specific. This should be sufficient enough for any suitable job. But you still have to be specific to provide a clear direction on the career you want to gain.

Qualification Highlights

A significant element on what to include in a resume is a section of your qualifications. This part can be optional, but would provide you advantage as you will give the employer some insight about your transferable capabilities. This section gives an overview of your skills and aptitude relating to your career objectives and goals. You would want your employer to be aware of your competitiveness to consider you for the position. Hence, what to include in a resume under this section are your accomplishments, extracurricular activities, volunteer work, and work experience.

Education

Knowing more what to include in a resume, your educational background is another thing. This part is significant to fresh graduates or those who do not have enough work experience for the position they are applying for. When presenting your education, you have to write it down in reverse chronological manner. The common details included here are the name of school, location, field of specialization, dissertation or thesis title, and dates attended. Aside from that, you can include the special trainings, licensure, workshops, seminars, and other independent course work you have attended. Note, however, not to enumerate courses and subjects that are irrelevant to the job you are aspiring.

Skills

Distinguishing what to include in a resume, you would know that a section highlighting your skills is important. This part would make the difference and can make you stand out from the rest of the applicants. Indicate here the capabilities you possess as well as the things you can offer to the employer. This portion is very beneficial in summing up the skills written all over your resume which a potential employer would want in an employee. List down the skills that are relevant to the position you are applying. However, make certain that you back these up with specific instances, facts, or figures by which you have actually demonstrated those skills.

Experience

Recognizing what to include in a resume, relevant experience is the most important element. Regardless of what format you use, this part contains the job title, name of company or employer, location, dates of employment, and a short explanation of your roles and responsibilities.

When presenting your roles, responsibilities and qualifications, you may do this in bullet format under every job experience. Start with the bulleted information with action words in past tense. Focus on the related skills, strengths, and accomplishments. Do not just mull over the things you have done, but also on the skills you have obtained and enhanced. Also, do not just enumerate duties and job descriptions for the position. You have to elaborate those duties that are pertinent with the job you are applying for right now.

Supplementary Activities

An additional element on what to include in a resume are your supplementary or extracurricular activities. On this section, you will be able to demonstrate your involvement and dedication outside formal employment and academic studies. At times, valuable experiences can be obtained from extracurricular pursuits. Use these to highlight your acquired skills like program administration, team leadership, or project management. In this section, you would be able to show that you are an active member of the community.

Activities

Another aspect on what to include in a resume is the activities. Your activities shall illustrate to the prospective employer the things you want to spend your time apart from studying and working. When stating your activities, use appropriate positions or titles. Also, give an explanation on the nature of the organizations you are involved in. If you have been elected as officer in various clubs or associations, write down the positions you held.

Hobbies and Interests

Though this part is not often necessary on what to include in a resume, this can also provide the employer some insight on the things that fascinates you. This offers the employer some judgment on your personality and other abilities.

References

This section is another essential aspect on what to include in a resume. Some of those who can be your references are professor, former employers, supervisors, high school counselors, teachers, neighbors, and clergy. Make a list of references who can testify to your personal qualities, academic profile, and work attitude and style. Do not include relatives or those who have positions that might cause political or religious prejudice. The reference section should include a minimum of three people. This should include their names, positions and name of workplace (if applicable), and contact details.