Resume contact information is one of the most overlooked yet crucial sections when applying for a job. While many applicants focus heavily on showcasing their work experience, education, and skills, the way you present your contact details can significantly impact the first impression you make. This section is a reflection of your professionalism—or lack of it—and plays a key role in how employers perceive you. That’s why it’s essential to keep your contact information clean, professional, and easy to read. There are specific do’s and don’ts to follow to ensure your resume contact information stands out for the right reasons.
Do:
1. Include All Relevant Contact Information
To make your contact section stand out, the option to provide full information should be there. When applying for a job, this information should include
- Full Name: Start with your full legal name. As a general rule, avoid using nicknames unless it’s considered professional. This helps employers know exactly who they’re talking to.
- Phone Number: Make sure your phone number is up-to-date. If possible, provide your phone number; it’s probably the fastest and easiest way for recruiters to reach you. Don’t give out your company number, as there could be confusion about who the message is for. Also, make sure your voicemail is professional, as employers may leave a message if they don’t contact you directly.
- Email Address: Choose a professional email address, preferably one that includes your name (e.g., doe@gmail.com). Avoid using something casual or humorous, like cooldude123@gmail.com; that can have a negative impact. Your email address sets the tone for your professionalism.
- LinkedIn Profile: Increasingly, including your LinkedIn profile URL is becoming acceptable. Make sure that if you have a LinkedIn profile, it’s complete and up-to-date and reflects everything on your resume. Customizing your LinkedIn URL for your profile (e.g., linkedin.com/in/johndoe) gives you a professional touch.
- Location: For the most part, limiting the address to just the city and state or city and country is sufficient. If you happen to be applying for a job in another location, state your willingness to relocate or list your current location, assuming it’s relevant to the job.
2. Use Professional Formatting and Placement
Resume contact information formatting and placement are just as important as the details themselves. Since employers are often pressed for time, your contact details should be easy to find.
- Place Your Contact Information at the Top: Your contact information should always be at the top of your resume, either in the header or right below your name. That way, it’ll be the first thing an employer sees when they look through your resume. You also want to make sure your name is the most prominent thing on the page—you can increase the font size of your name to make it stand out more.
- Use Simple, Clear Fonts: No fancy text; instead, just plain, simple, and clear fonts. Easy-to-read fonts include Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman. No flashy or ornate fonts that distract the reader from reading the content. Standard usage should also be maintained (10-12 points for body) to use a regular font size so that someone can still read it.
- Align Information Neatly: Create an organized way for your contact details. You can align your contact details to the left, center, or right, depending on your resume layout. Make sure they are neat and organized without being cluttered but consistent with the rest of the layout, as they will also be used in other documents.
- Use Bullet Points or Lines: Bullet points or horizontal lines can be a good separator between your contact details and the content of your resume. This can make it look cleaner, more professional, and easier to read.
3. Customize Your Contact Information for Each Job Application
If you are applying to multiple positions in different industries, it is a good idea to customize this contact information list slightly where applicable.
- Tailor Your LinkedIn Profile URL: If you’re applying for a job in a specific sector, make sure your LinkedIn profile is well-rounded in terms of skills and experience for the job. Everything from your LinkedIn summary to your experience to your endorsements should align with what the job is looking for.
- Include a Professional Title if Relevant: If you’re applying for a job in a specific field, such as “Software Engineer” or “Digital Marketing Specialist,” you may want to include your professional title next to your name. This gives the employer a pretty good idea of your qualifications.
Don't:
1. Overcomplicate Your Contact Information Section
While it’s important to provide enough information, there are things you should avoid to ensure your contact information section is clear and concise.
- Avoid Including Irrelevant Information: Don’t clutter your resume with unnecessary details. For example, there’s no need to list a string of phone numbers or email addresses unless they’re very relevant: Only list contact methods that must be actively reviewed and monitored. The idea is to make the process easier for the employer and not overwhelm them with too many options.
- Don’t Include Personal Information: Don’t include personal information about your age, whether you’re married or single, or your home address. Employers don’t need these up fronts, and in many cases, they can seem a bit inappropriate or intrusive. Including a full address is also becoming irrelevant these days; just your city and state are generally sufficient in the digital age.
- Don’t Use Casual or Unprofessional Contact Methods: In addition to, of course, listing a useful email address, don’t include social media accounts unless they’re definitely professional and relevant to the job you’re applying for. It’s certainly beneficial to include links to your portfolio or professional social media accounts (like Twitter or GitHub for tech jobs); just avoid listing accounts with irrelevant or personal content. It’s important to maintain professionalism at all times.
- Don’t Use Fancy Formatting: Keep the format of your contact information section straightforward and uncomplicated. While it may be important that your resume is visually appealing, don’t use anything too restrictive in terms of fonts or colors. The goal is clarity and accessibility; include easy-to-read contact details where the person reviewing your resume won’t have time to read each applicant’s documents at length.
2. Provide Outdated or Incomplete Contact Information
While it may seem obvious, it’s easy to overlook ensuring that the contact information you list is current. You don’t want a potential employer to call a phone number that is no longer active or send an email to an old address that you no longer check.
- Double-Check Your Contact Information: Before you push the “send” button on your resume, run your contact details through a double-check. Make sure your phone number is active and your email address is one that you check at all times. Also, if you have changed your email address or phone number, be sure to indicate the change on your resume.
- Don’t Forget Your Voicemail Message: If you list a phone number, make sure your voicemail greeting is professional. Ideally, your message should state your name and provide a brief message that you are unable to answer the call at this time but will return it as soon as possible.
- Don’t Use Generic Email Addresses: Avoid using email addresses like “abc123@hotmail.com” or “mylife@aol.com.” These addresses may make you seem unprofessional. A simple, professional email with your full name or a variation of it (e.g., lastname@email.com) makes a much better impression.
- Don’t Provide Non-Professional Social Media Accounts: Avoid including personal or non-professional social media accounts in your contact information. For example, a Facebook or Instagram account used primarily for personal purposes may not present the best image to a potential employer. Instead, provide links to LinkedIn profiles or personal websites/portfolios if they are relevant to the job you’re applying for.
Conclusion
Your resume’s contact information section is more than just a way to provide your phone number and email address—it’s an opportunity to make a professional first impression. By following these dos and don’ts, you can ensure your contact information stands out in the right way. Remember to keep it clear, professional, and updated, and always tailor it to the job you’re applying for. By doing so, you make it easier for employers to reach you and increase your chances of landing your desired job.
