What A Resume Should Include

So you're sitting down to update your resume, and suddenly you're staring at the screen wondering, "What do I actually put on this thing?" You're not alone. I can't tell you how many times I hear people ask this question. The good news is, it's simpler than you think. But there are definitely things you need to include and just as many things you don't.

Start with your contact details. I know, it sounds obvious, but you'd be surprised how often people forget to include a phone number or email. And while we're at it, skip the physical address unless it's specifically requested. Nobody's mailing you a job offer these days. Make sure your contact info is clean and easy to find at the top of your resume. You want recruiters to reach out effortlessly, not play detective.

Next up, your job history. This is pretty much the meat of your resume. Focus on the last 10-15 years, unless you’re early in your career and don’t have much to pull from yet. List your positions, company names, and dates you worked there. But here’s the kicker: don’t just write generic duties like “handled customer inquiries” or “filed reports. ” You need to show what you achieved and how you stood out. Think "Increased sales by 20%" or "Developed processes that cut onboarding time by half. " Numbers and outcomes grab attention.

Now, education. If you’ve got a degree or relevant certifications, absolutely include those. But if you graduated decades ago, don’t bother putting the year. No one needs to do the math on how long you’ve been out of school. And honestly, if you’re further along in your career, your education may take a backseat to your experience anyway.

Okay, let's talk skills. This part can get tricky because there’s a fine line between listing valuable skills and just tossing in a bunch of buzzwords. Don’t write down soft skills like "team player" or "great communicator. " Show those in your job descriptions instead. In the skills section, stick to concrete abilities like software programs you’ve mastered or industry-specific know-how. These are the things recruiters actually search for.

The Part Nobody Tells You About

Here’s where people often mess up: leaving off extra sections that could make them stand out. Things like volunteering, side projects, or even hobbies (if they’re relevant) can show your personality or commitment to causes that align with the company’s values. If you’ve got something interesting like leading a community fundraiser or running a blog about industry trends, toss it in. It humanizes you.

Oh, and please, don’t forget the formatting. Look, nobody wants to read a cluttered resume with tiny text and weird fonts. Stick to something clean and easy on the eyes. Use sections, bold headers, and enough white space to breathe. And for the love of all things hiring, proofread it. Typos are the quickest way to make someone hit delete.

What Not To Waste Space On

Here’s where you should cut the fluff. An objective statement? Skip it. Most hiring managers already know your goal is to get the job. Lengthy lists of irrelevant jobs? Trim them down or combine them into a single line. And don’t ever include personal details like your marital status or your photo. That’s old-school and, honestly, a little weird these days.

At the end of the day (ugh, I can't believe I used that phrase), your resume should be a snapshot of who you are professionally. It’s not your autobiography. Give enough to intrigue the reader and make them want to call you, but leave out the extras that don’t move the needle. If you’ve got the essentials covered and it’s easy to read, you’re already ahead of the game.