The Fundamental Sections of Your Resume + Examples

You may be the perfect candidate for the job, but if your resume doesn’t effectively demonstrate your potential, you’ll never get the chance to prove it in an interview.

Don’t you think?

Ok…what you can do?

One of the crucial part is to plan the right resume structure. Depending on your professional background, career level, and the job posting requirements, you may need to include additional sections to better highlight your skills, experience, and key strengths.

Ok…Let’s get started.

What Essential Sections Should Your Resume Contain?

At first, I think you shouldn’t treat any resume section as a “mandatory”. Instead, you are the one who should estimate and decide which categories are most relevant. Take into account:

• Your career position, or in other words: where you are in your career,
• How much work experience do you have, and
• What the job posting requires.

For example, if you’re just starting out in your career, you may want to highlight your education and any relevant coursework or internships. If you have years of work experience, you should focus on it as well as on your previous accomplishments.

Don’t forget to review the job posting requirements carefully. Having this knowledge, you can tailor your resume to the specific job opportunity, highlighting the information, that are most relevant to that particular role.

As you see, it all depends.

By taking these factors into account, you can decide on:

• A resume format to choose (reverse chronological, functional, or combination).
• A resume formatting and structure, such as traditional, one-column layout or more modern designs with two or more columns.
• The length of your resume. In the main part, that will depend on your experience and the job posting requirements. A one-page resume is ideal, but those with extensive work experience may require a longer document, like a two-page resume.
• The most relevant sections to include.

If you do not want to create the resume structure from scratch, you can use our pre-built resume templates in Word.

Mandatory Resume Sections (Standard Resume Categories)

Great! Now that we’ve talked about how you have the flexibility to decide which sections to include in your resume, let’s take a look at some fundamental categories that are typically included in a standard resume:

A standard resume should include:

Contact Information

Contact information section is the one that your future employer will need after getting familiar with your resume. However, you need to put this section at the very top of your resume document – typically centered or aligned to the left margin.

This makes it easy for potential employers to quickly find and contact you if they’re interested in your application.

What to include in contact details:

• Your full name (first name and last name),
• Valid phone number,
• Professional-looking e-mail address, like: [email protected]. If you don’t have it, create one.
• Location – city would be totally enough. If you are applying locally, optionally you can add your physical address, however we don’t recommend this,
• Job title – just to make it clear, what is your professional identity and desired role
• Links to another profiles (if they’re relevant to your industry or career goals), like: LinkedIn, GitHub, social media profiles: Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter or personal website and online portfolio

Do’s:

• Be consistent with the format of your contact information throughout your resume and any accompanying documents (e.g. cover letter),
• Make sure your voicemail message is professional in case potential employers need to leave a message,
• If you have a professional online presence, such as a LinkedIn profile or others, make sure there is nothing you could be ashamed of,

Don’ts:

• Don’t use strange looking address, like:[email protected],
• Don’t provide multiple phone numbers or confusing contact information
• Don’t add your work phone number or email (unless you have explicit permission from your current employer)

You might be wondering whether to include a photo in your resume. The quick answer is that this is not recommended in US resume and may even work against you in the hiring process.

Contact Details Example

Get more valuable and detailed tips from our article: How to Make Your Resume Contact Information

Resume Summary/Objective

A resume summary or career objective (or resume objective) is a brief section that you add in the header – right below or close to contact details. In this short paragraph at the top of your resume, you provide an overview of your key qualifications, strengths, accomplishments and career goals.

Many career experts say this is not an obligatory resume section. However, it can be so powerful, that you should treat it as one of the most crucial curriculum vitae categories.

Why do you need a resume summary?

Imagine that your resume summary is your elevator pitch. You have around 15 seconds to win the recruiter over. Sometimes this one element decides if an HR Manager wants to get a closer look at your resume or not. Create a resume summary as if you were going to briefly convince a potential employer to hire you.  

What is the difference between resume summary and career objective?

RESUME SUMMARY	CAREER / RESUME OBJECTIVE
– usually 3-5 sentences long. In most cases it is longer than career objective	– usually 2-3 sentences long
– focuses on your qualifications and experience, highlighting your key skills, accomplishments, and experience.	– focuses on your skills, career goals and what you hope to achieve in your next position.
– mostly used by professionals with long work experience, wanting to highlight their expertise	– mostly used on fresh graduates resume, by students or applicants wanting to change their career path
– it showcases your experience, skills and acomplishments in previous jobs	– it showcases your potential and how your skills, knowledge, experience and enthusiasm can add value to a company

If you are unsure whether to use a resume summary or career objective, think of your work experience, career stage and goals. If you have large, consistent work experience, write a resume summary.

On the other hand, if you’re a high-shool student, recent graduate, or you are switching professions, add a career objective.

When writing a resume summary or career objective, be concise and specific. Use keywords from the job posting and focus on how you can add value to the company. By crafting a well-written summary or objective, you can make a strong first impression on potential employers and increase your chances of getting an interview.

How to write a good resume summary?

• Keep it concise and be specific,
• Add your relevant experience, soft and hard skills (tailored to the job posting),
• Include your professional achievements to prove your efficiency,
• Add your area of expertise, if you have one,
• Use numbers to make your story more convincing,
• Remember to tailor your resume summary to the job offer. Otherwise, regardless of its quality, it will not be effective,
• Use strong words and action verb.

Resume Summary Good Example

See more resume summary examples

Career Objective Well-written Example

See more career objective examples.

Work Experience

When it comes to writing an American resume, the work experience section is one of the most important elements.

PRO TIP: Before you dive into writing your work experience section, review carefully the job description and requirements. Focus on identifying the most desired skills and qualifications.

• Start with your most recent job and list another ones in reverse-chronological order. Add the job title, company name, location, and dates of employment. For dates, use the format mm/yyyy – especially important if an Applicant Tracking System,
• Use bullet points to describe your responsibilities and accomplishments at each job. Be specific and quantify whenever possible,
• Use action verbs and try to use keywords from the job opening description. Vary your language to avoid repetition,
• Include the skills and experience that are most relevant to the job you’re applying for,
• If you have gaps in your employment history, explain briefly the reason,
• If you have a lot of work experience, limit the section to the last 10-15 years of your career,
• Tailor your work experience section to the specific job you’re applying for, highlighting the skills and experience that match the job requirements,
• Keep your work experience section concise and clear.

Always think that what you write on your resume, should make you the best applicant for the job.

Remember, you don’t have to include every single job you’ve ever had. Instead, focus on the experiences that are most relevant to the job you’re applying for and tailor them to the job ad requirements.

Have a look at this work section example:

If you’re hungry for more information in this area, read our article: What to include in a Resume Experience Section

Education

To list the education section in an American resume, follow these steps:

• Start with your most recent degree and go backwards. List the degree type, major, institution name, location, and graduation date,
• Optionally, you can add: honor, minor, coursework, GPA. Add them under your degree information.
  Include GPA if it’s 3.5 or above or job posting requires it,
• Exclude high school information unless it is the highest level of education you have completed,
• If you are a recent graduate, include relevant extracurricular activities or leadership positions you held during college,
• If you are a student or entry level candidate, and haven’t any achievements gained during your studies, consider adding relevant extracurricular activities or experiences you gained outside of school,
• If you have multiple degrees, list them in reverse chronological order,
• If you didn’t finish your degree, list the number of credits completed and the date you stopped attending,
• Keep the education section concise and focused on the most relevant information,

TIP: If you don’t have much work experience, list your education before work experience section

Have a look at this education section example:

Learn more from our dedicated article: How to List Education on a Resume + Section Examples

Skills

Before you start listing your skills, first review carefully the job description and identify the specific skills that the company is looking for.

Pay attention to the keywords they use and tailor your skills list to match the requirements.

Don’t forget to add both: soft skills and hard skills. The mix of them can give a picture of what specialist and what kind of person you are.

How to list skills on a resume effectively :

• After reviewing the job posting, choose the most relevant skills and make sure to include them in your resume,
• For hard skills, indicate your level of proficiency by using descriptive phrases like “beginner,” “intermediate,” “proficient,” or “advanced.”
  You can also use visual elements like skill bars or graphs to showcase your expertise in a more engaging way.
• List your skills in bullet points to make them easy to read and scan,
• Group similar skills together, such as technical skills, soft skills, or language skills,
• Use action verbs while listing your skills, such as “managed,” “created,” or “developed.”

Examples of some of the best skills to include in your resume:

• Communication skills, like: written and verbal communication, active listening, and presentation skills,
• Technical skills, like: proficiency in specific software or programming languages, knowledge of data analysis or project management tools, or experience with technical equipment,
• Interpersonal skills, like: teamwork, collaboration, leadership, and conflict resolution.
• Problem-solving skills, like: analytical thinking, creativity, and the ability to troubleshoot and find solutions.
• Adaptability, like: the ability to work in a fast-paced environment, handle multiple tasks at once, and quickly adapt to change.

Remember to be honest about your skills and only include those that you truly possess. You could be asked to demonstrate your capabilities in a practical test during the interview and if you don’t feel confident in those areas, it will be visible.

If you feel you still need to learn more information in this field, go to our article: 14 Best Skills To Put On Your Resume

IMPORTANT TIP: While it’s a good idea to create a separate skills section in your resume, don’t be afraid to mention your skills throughout your experience section as well. Use specific examples to demonstrate how you’ve successfully applied your skills in previous roles.

Optional Resume Sections (Additional Resume Categories)

Remember, include only those additional resume sections that are relevant with the job you are applying for and can help you in the recruitment process.

Depending on your professional situation or job position, consider including additional resume sections, like:

Volunteer Work

This section would be extremely important for students and fresh graduates applying for their entry level jobs. The most important part here is to demonstrate your willingness to work hard, and taking on new challenges.

While listing your voluntary experience, include:
– the organization name,
– your role and dates you were involved,
– a brief description of the tasks you performed.

Voluntary Experience Example:

Voluntary Work: Habitat for Humanity
Role: Volunteer Construction Assistant
Description: As a volunteer construction assistant for Habitat for Humanity, I assisted with various aspects of home construction, including framing, roofing, and interior finishing. I also helped to maintain the construction site, including cleaning and organizing tools and materials. I volunteered for 4 hours every Saturday for a total of 80 hours.

Projects (including personal ones)

Another section important for freshers. Use it when you have no or little experience. And again, only include personal projects that are relevant to the job you are applying for, and that showcase your strengths and abilities in a positive light.

What to include:

• Project name. Make it descriptive and appealing.
• Provide a brief overview of the project, including what was the objective, what skills you used, and what challenges you faced.
• Mention the results of the project. Include any metrics or data that quantify its success. For example, if it was a website you developed, you could include statistics such as the number of visitors, engagement rate, or conversion rate.

Trainings & Certifications / Licenses

Adding relevant training, certifications to your resume can demonstrate your expertise as well as your dedication to professional development. This of course can enhance your value and credibility.

What to include:

• Start with the name of the training, certification, or license, which should be clear and descriptive.
• Mention the name of the organization that issued the training or certification.
• Include the dates of the training, or when you obtained the certification, or license.
• Give a short description. Include the skills and knowledge you gained and how they are relevant to the job you are applying for.

Interests / Hobbies

Adding hobbies to your resume can be beneficial. On a one hand, it can demonstrate your personality, showcase relevant skills or provide conversation starters. On the other hand, imagine that your potential employer is having similar hobbies to yours. That could be a plus, as shared interests could help to build team spirit through common activities.

While listing your hobbies, try to prioritize those that are connected with the job type, you are applying for.

Instead of writing one word, give a short description or more details, for example:

Hobby: Running (mainly long distances, I participated in the Boston Marathon).

Learn more and see more examples of Hobbies and Interest on Resume.

Languages

Listing the languages you speak, indicate your level of fluency. You can use the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) scale to indicate your proficiency level, ranging from A1 (Beginner) to C2 (Mastery/Proficiency).

Publications / Blog Articles / Portfolio

Adding information about your publications, blog articles, or portfolio can prove your creativity and expertise in your field. For example, if you’re a graphic designer, including a link to your design projects and portfolio can demonstrate your skills and attention to detail.

Awards and Recognitions

Mentioning awards and recognitions on your resume demonstrates your accomplishments and proves your expertise.

To list them effectively:

• Be specific,
• Provide context,
• Use strong action verbs,
• Quantify results,
• Prioritize relevant awards.

Resume Section Titles

Because you are making a successful resume, we have to also mention how to create section titles.

Section titles have one goal. They make it easier for potential employers to quickly scan your resume and identify your qualifications.

Choose the titles that accurately represent the content of each section and are relevant to the job you’re applying for. For example, instead of using a generic title like “Experience,” use “Work Experience” , “Professional Experience” or even “Relevant Work Experience“. The last one suggests that you have a wider experience, but for this recruitment process you have chosen this part of your work background, that is most relevant.

When it comes to resume sections, avoid being too creative. Using super creative or unconventional titles could confuse or mislead hiring managers. This is of course something you don’t want to happen.

Stick to clear and straightforward titles that precisely convey the contents of each section. This will help your resume be easily understandable.

How to Order Resume Sections to Maximize its Potential?

Did you know that the way you organize your resume sections can make a big difference in how effective is your resume?

So, how should you prioritize your sections?

There is no one pattern you should follow when it comes to organizing your resume sections. It depends on a few factors, like resume format for example. However, above all, highlight those sections of your resume that best showcase your value.

Here are some examples of how you might organize your resume, based on your individual circumstances:

Traditional, reverse-chronological resume

A traditional resume, the most common, typically follows a reverse chronological format. You start with your most recent and relevant work experience and education, and move backward.

Start with the standard sections, such as:

• Contact information,
• Resume summary or career objective,
• Professional experience
• Education
• Skills
• Additional sections such as volunteer work, trainings, awards, or hobbies

Fresh graduates or entry-level candidates

If you are just entering the job market, it is obvious that you lack professional experience. In this case, highlight other sections, like: education, skills, side projects or extracurricular activities, like volunteer work or leadership roles in youth organizations.

The most important resume sections for fresh graduates:

• Contact information,
• Career objective,
• Education,
• Experience (include any voluntary or internship experience, as well as the one you gained during studies or even personal projects, if it’s relevant to the job),
• Extracurricular activities,
• Skills,
• Hobbies / Interests.

Career changers

If you’re writing a career change resume, highlight these skills or relevant experience that demonstrate your ability to succeed in the new role. If you are changing a career path, you may consider choosing a functional resume format.

Focus on these resume sections:

• Contact information,
• Career objective,
• Work experience,
• Education,
• Skills,
• Additional sections.

Experienced professionals

If you are an experienced candidate, like a mid or senior-level applicant, your biggest value should be your experience, achievements, and skills you gained. These are the elements you should highlight. Additionally, if you see in the job posting that the employer is looking for some specific skills, or they have specific requirements you fulfil, try to highlight it as well.

The most important sections for experienced applicants:

• Contact information,
• Resume summary,
• Work experience along with accomplishments,
• Trainings $ certifications,
• Education,
• Skills,
• Additional sections.

Frequently Asked Questions

To sum up

When it comes to resume sections, here are key takeaways you should have in mind:

• Thinking about best resume format and structure, first read carefully the job posting because specific sections of your resume will depend on requirements of the job you’re applying for,
• Planning your resume structure, take into account your career stage and how much experience you have. Verify if you have any gaps in your experience,
• Organize your resume sections according to your career level. If you are a recent graduate, highlight your education, skills, and experience gained in extracurricular activities. As an experienced professional, emphasize your professional experience, skills and achievements,
• Include the fundamental resume sections like: header (contact information and job title), resume summary or career objective, education, work experience, skills, trainings / certifications.
• If relevant, consider adding additional sections, like: hobbies / interests, awards, voluntary work, languages, extracurricular activities, side projects, publications / blog articles / portfolio,
• Always include relevant information (tailored to the job posting) that show you in a positive light,
• Customize your resume for each job.