Resume headings � what information to include and how to format it
The first and most prominent item on your resume if your name and contact
information. Your name is typically in the largest font, standing apart from all
other text on your resume. A common mistake professionals make is trying to
emphasize their name in a special font type. As it is difficult to anticipate the
software and its version your potential employer is using, you run a risk of not
knowing exactly how your name will show up on their screen. Stick to the basic font
types � Arial and Times New Roman are most commonly used and are least risky when
it comes to formatting your resume. Don�t go overboard on the font size either.
Your name should be in point size 14 or 16; all other headings should be in 12 or
14 point font, while the remaining text of your resume should be between 10 and 12
points. Along with your name, the very top of your resume should contain your
mailing address, your email address, and at least one phone number where you can be
reached. It is best to include a physical mailing address over a P.O. Box, whenever
possible. You should never include an email address at your current place of
employment (believe us, it happens). A helpful hint about listing your email
address � make sure that it contains your name, as this helps you appear more
professional. You can create a free Yahoo email account; it also maybe helpful to
have one email address as a point of contact for your job search. At least one
phone number should be listed; make sure to indicate if you are listing a home or a
mobile number. If you have a professional web site, you can include the address to
it along with your contact information. Please note, only do so if there isn�t
anything on the web site that is personal; the only reason your potential employer
may want to look at a web site is if your professional portfolio or a copy of your
resume can be found there.
Whether you decide to create a chronological or a functional resume, you will need
to separate the information by headings. The best advice we can give you is to keep
the section headings professional and stick to the basics. Don�t try to come up
with creative titles for your professional summary, or for your qualifications.
Your chronological resume should have the following sections/titles:
- career objective
- professional summary (optional)
- professional experience/work experience/experience
- education
- publications/special achievements (if applicable)
- qualifications/skills
- references/references and portfolio
A functional resume is slightly different, and the headings you chose will truly
depend on the skills you are trying to highlight. You should include:
- career objective
- education
- professional skills/professional qualifications (this section will include
sub-headings as they relate to specific qualifications you want to promote, such as
communications, customer relations, managements, etc.)
- work experience/work history (if applicable; should only include dates,
titles, companies and locations without listing responsibilities)
- volunteer work/activities (if applicable)
- references
These are the typical sections of chronological and functional resumes. Do some
research on resume styles and find sample resumes of professionals in your
industry. You may need to adjust these headings based on your field, although the
content should be consistent across industries. Stick to the basics; don�t try to
be creative in order to stand out. A professional and polished resume will get you
noticed, so do your best to create a resume that is error free and best supports
your career objective.