what do you put on a cover page for a resume

• Search Search Please fill out this field.
• Career Planning
• Finding a Job

What Is a Resume Cover Page?

Definition & Examples of a Resume Cover Page

How a Resume Cover Page Works

• Resume Cover Page Requirements

Examples of a Resume Cover Page

A resume cover page is a letter sent along with your resume when applying for jobs. It provides additional information on your skills and qualifications to a prospective employer.

Here's why you need a cover page and how to write one.

A resume cover page provides detailed information on why you're qualified for the job you're applying for. Don't think of the letter as a summary of your resume. Well-written cover letters explain why you're interested in this specific position and organization and why you're the best candidate for the job.

• Alternate names : Cover letter, covering letter

The purpose of a cover letter is to land an interview. Specificity is essential. If you write a generic letter and use it for every job application, it will show. It sends a signal that you're not that interested in the position and that you're not attentive to detail.

While it might sound overwhelming and time-consuming to personalize each cover page , the groundwork will be quite helpful if you do get an interview. Your research gives you a sense of the organization and how you can contribute it, and you can use that information to inform your interview.

Your cover page is your first impression with a hiring manager. In addition to making a case for your candidacy, take the time to proofread the letter and/or ask a friend or trusted mentor to review it and provide feedback.

The only time you shouldn't send a cover page is if the job posting specifically says not to.

Requirements for a Resume Cover Page

Before you start writing, spend some time  reviewing the job advertisement . A close examination of the ad will reveal what's important to hiring managers. For instance, if the posting mentions the need for organization and time management skills, mention in your cover letter that you're deadline-driven. If the position calls for leadership competencies, mention teams or projects that you've overseen. 

The format of a resume cover page varies slightly depending on whether you're emailing your resume as an attachment or sending it in the body of an email. Here's the standard format for an attachment. 

Standard Cover Letter Format

Your Contact Information

Name Address City, State, ZIP Code Phone Number Email Address

Employer Contact Information  (if you have it) Name Title Company Address City, State Zip Code

Salutation : Dear Mr./Ms. Name: ( begin here if you are sending the cover page in the body of an email)

First Paragraph Provide information on how you found out about the job and why you're applying. Mention the precise job title. 

Middle Paragraphs This section of the cover letter can be one paragraph or several. Use this space to describe your experience, focusing on how it shows that you're a good match for the position and have the necessary qualifications.

Final Paragraph Wrap up your cover page letter here by thanking readers for their consideration, and providing information on how you will follow up. 

Complimentary Close

Respectfully yours,

Typed Signature

Below is a sample resume cover page to help you craft your own.

Sheila Johnson 1234 Dogwood Avenue Knoxville, TN 37914 (123) 456-7890 sheila_johnson@email.com

July 2, 2020

Ms. Alexandra Eliot Hiring Manager ABC Company 3457 Neyland Street Knoxville, TN 37913

Dear Ms. Eliot:

I was very interested to learn that ABC Company is searching for a new Administrative Assistant through your recent posting on Indeed.com. Please accept the attached resume as a sign of my deep interest in this position.

As a recent graduate from Pellissippi State Community College’s Administrative Professional Technology Program, I can offer you advanced Microsoft Office 365 and QuickBooks accounting software skills. I am well-versed in traditional administrative tasks such as database management, data entry (typing 83 WPM), filing, and appointment scheduling.

You specify in your job posting that you're looking for someone with strong web design and social media management experience. Concurrent with my education at Pellissippi State, I also worked part-time as a Social Media Assistant for the Riverside Creative Agency. In that capacity, I helped create and manage new social media accounts on Facebook and LinkedIn for many local businesses. I’m sure that the skills I gained in social media design, SEO, and AdWords will allow me to contribute substantially to the in-house management of your website and social media presence.

My training, practical experience, attention to detail, and dedication to excellence will ensure that I hit the ground running as your next Administrative Assistant. ABC Company is widely respected as one of Knoxville’s best workplaces, and I would love to launch my career with your organization.

Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to discussing my qualifications in more detail. Please let me know if there is any additional information I can provide.

Sheila Johnson

Type your name at the close of the email followed by your contact information (email and telephone number). Your email  subject line  should include your name and the role you are seeking.

Key Takeaways

• A resume cover page is a letter sent along with your resume when applying for jobs. 
• It provides detailed information on why you're qualified for the job you're applying for.
• Tailor each cover page to the position. Don't just summarize your resume; provide context and make a case for your candidacy. 
• Use an example to help you craft your own cover page. 

What to Put on a Resume: 9 Things to Include

By Biron Clark

Published: November 8, 2023

Biron Clark

Writer & Career Coach

Your resume is the first thing a company sees when you apply for a job. Usually, it’s the deciding factor in whether you get an interview or not. On your resume, you’ll list your contact information, skills, prior work experience, education, and any other relevant information pertinent to the role you’re applying for. 

You should tailor your resume any time you apply for a role, even if the job appears highly related to your current and prior work experience. Insert relevant keywords and phrases from the job description, but rephrase them so your tailoring seems entirely natural.  Of course, you want to remain honest in your application, so don’t include skills or experience you don’t possess. If you do, the hiring manager will likely discover your misstatements during an interview, and this may cause them to reject your application.

The following are all the components you should include in your resume to ensure you put your best foot forward in the application process.

If you’re wondering what to put on your resume, this article is for you.

I’m going to share everything you should include to get more interviews.

We’ll look at:

Resume Basics

• What to put in a resume for experienced candidates
• What to put in a resume if you have no experience
• What NOT to include in your resume (mistakes to avoid)
• How to address employment gaps on a resume
• My best tip for getting your resume to stand out from other job seekers so you can land a better job in less time

Here’s exactly what to put on a resume, based on my experience as a recruiter…

Your resume is a one- or two-page document that outlines your experience, education, and skills related to an open position. Recruiters and hiring managers will review your resume to determine whether you are a suitable fit for the job.  Remember that they’re likely looking at many different resumes — not just yours — so it’s crucial to showcase your strongest attributes and tailor your resume to suit the specific job position.

There are three basic types of resumes: chronological, functional, and combination.

A chronological resume starts with your most recent work history and works backward. It’s the most common type of resume people use when they’re presenting their professional background.

A functional resume is skills-focused and is more appropriate for individuals with less experience who are looking for a job in a new profession. Applicants also turn to functional resumes when they’d rather not emphasize a few gaps in their work history.

A combination resume provides an equal balance of skills and work history. Typically, it will start with critical skills related to the position before following with the applicant’s work history.

Watch: What to Put on a Resume

What to put on your resume if you have experience.

If you’re entering a job search with prior work experience, the following sections should be included on your resume.

(And don’t worry, I’ll share what entry-level job seekers should put on their resume coming up later in this article).

For job seekers with work experience, these are the 9 key types of information that a resume should include:

• Name and Contact Info
• Resume Summary Paragraph
• Employment History
• Social Media
• Community Involvement (Optional)
• Awards/Achievements You’ve Received (Optional)

Now that you know the 9 main things to include in a resume, let’s look at these sections step-by-step so you’ll know how to write each one. 

1. Name and Contact Information

At the top of your resume, put your full name and a professional-looking email address. Your phone number and street address are optional, but for most people, I’d recommend including them. If you’re  applying for jobs out-of-state , it might make sense to leave your address off.

Now, for formatting and design…

I’d keep it simple and “clean”-looking. No distractions. Not too many fonts and colors. In fact, this is good advice for  how to format your whole resume .

Here’s an example from our Free Resume builder of what a simple resume header with your name and contact info might look like:

You can add a bit more in terms of design, but don’t go overboard.

2. Resume Summary Paragraph

This is the next section of your resume, and should go right after your name and contact info in most cases. This is a two or three sentence summary of your qualifications and accomplishments throughout your career (or throughout your education if you just graduated).

Note: this is not an “objective” section. I’d advise against putting an objective on your resume. Hiring managers know your objective is to land a job in their industry that will utilize your skills, etc. So put a summary paragraph instead.

If you need help writing this paragraph, here’s an article filled with great  resume summary examples .

You can also include the job title right within your resume summary in some cases, which will immediately show employers that you have some relevant experience. For example, let’s say the job title on the job ad is “Senior Account Analyst”. You could write your summary like: “Senior-level account analyst with five years of experience in…”

It’s okay if you’re not a resume writing expert. Just use these examples here to craft your own resume summary.

Lets take a look at another example from our Free Resume Builder :

3. Employment History

If you have held any previous jobs (including internships), your experience section is where to put them. Focus heavily on this experience section, as it’s one of the first places a hiring manager looks on your resume.

Write the section in reverse chronological order , which means your most recent work should be at the top.

Include job titles, company names, and dates. You can choose whether to put just years, or months and years for each job; just be consistent throughout the document. And always begin this section within the top half of the first page of your resume.

As a recruiter , one of the top mistakes I saw job seekers make was burying their employment history on the bottom of the first page, or even the beginning of page two. It should be much higher up, and should be visible when they open your resume on a computer without having to scroll down.

Hiring managers will typically look here even before your skills section, so always be looking for opportunities to highlight technical skills and relevant job skills here. Ask yourself: “What have I done in recent jobs that will show a hiring manager that I’d do well in their job, too?” That’s the mindset to take when writing your work history. It’s all about writing your resume to fit the job you want next. And since hiring managers and recruiters are busy, they don’t want to read big, bulky paragraphs. Instead, put  bullets highlighting what you did in each job . I’d suggest five to eight bullet points per job.

You can write a small introductory paragraph for each job, but most of the content should be in bullet format. In these bullet points, don’t just talk about job duties; talk about what you actually accomplished. There’s a big difference.

Here’s an example…

Rather than saying, “responsible for managing 5 sales associates”… say, “successfully led 5 sales associates to achieve 139% of team sales goals for Fiscal Year 2020.”

The image above is an example of a resume work experience section with accomplishment-driven bullets. Take the time to understand the difference and you’ll be far better than most job seekers at resume writing.

This is the next big section to put on your resume in any job search.

You might be tempted to put your skills before your employment history… and other people may have even told you to do this. But the only time I think it makes sense to list skills first is if you have absolutely no work experience. (I’ll share more about what to put on a resume with no experience coming up, by the way).

But if you have any prior work at all in your career… hiring managers don’t want to see a long list of technical skills without being able to see where you used each skill (and how recently you used them). This is why they’re much more likely to scan your resume looking for recent jobs before anything else. And that’s why you should put it higher up, so they can find this key info that they’re looking for quickly.

The bottom line is: If you want a good resume, then your skills should come after your experience section.

In your  skills section , you can put a list of your top  skills that are relevant to the job you’re applying for,  and you can even put them under a few headers/categories if you think it makes sense for your job and industry. You should focus mostly on hard skills. The best skills to put will be found directly on the job description. It’s better to highlight soft skills (like “team player”) in your cover letter, where you can tell a story and share more detail on how you used this skill to succeed.

On a resume, hiring managers mainly look for hard skills and skills relevant to the job requirements.

There’s no perfect number of skills to put. Some people might only need 3-10; others might put 20. It really depends on how long you’ve been working and what field of work you’re in. Make sure you think about what’s relevant for the job though; don’t just list a bunch of skills that won’t help you in their job. And think about keywords too – this is a great place to put keywords on your resume so you can  get past online job application systems .

5. Education

Put the name of your school(s), your field of study, and graduation date – unless you feel your graduation date will leave you open to age discrimination on your resume. If you graduated decades ago, feel free to leave the dates off. You can also put your GPA in this section. I’d only recommend doing that if it was above 3.0/4. Otherwise, leave it off. You might be asked about your GPA in the first few years of your career, but you’re very unlikely to be asked about it again after that, so don’t worry if your GPA is below 3.0/4. Just exclude it from your resume.

6. Social Media

Nowadays, everyone has a social media account — many times on various platforms. In some cases, you’ll want to include your social media account handles if they’re relevant to the position you’re applying for.

Most people have a LinkedIn profile to connect with colleagues and other professionals in their industry. If you have a LinkedIn profile, you should certainly include a link if it’s correctly filled out and reflects similar content to your tailored resume.

Other social media accounts, like Twitter, StackOverflow, Github, and Medium, may also be helpful to include in some instances. For example, if you’re a noted journalist, you likely have a Twitter account you use to share important news or communicate with the community. In this case, it would be appropriate to include your Twitter handle.

Sites like StackOverflow and Github are popular for coders, developers, and data scientists. If you’re very active on these sites, it might be worth including your account on your resume.

Freelancers, content writers, and entrepreneurs regularly posting to Medium should share their channel information. Bonus points if they have many shared articles and comments on their content.

7. Language

Some companies actively seek to hire employees who are fluent in languages besides English. If you are fluent in another language or know it well enough to speak or write it in a professional environment, include it on your resume. 

Languages like Spanish, Mandarin Chinese, and Portuguese are often especially valuable to organizations with a global footprint, although others can also be beneficial.

8. Community Involvement (Optional)

If you’ve done any volunteer work or helped in your community in other ways, this is where to put it. You can list the location, dates, and your contribution/work. If you haven’t done any volunteering or community-related work, don’t worry – just don’t put this section on your resume.

9. Awards/Achievements (Optional)

Any time you’ve received awards or other recognition for your accomplishments, you should put it on your resume. However, you don’t always need a separate section for it. That’s up to you… If you got an academic award, you can list it under your education section (beneath your degree, GPA, etc.) If you received an award or recognition for outstanding performance at a previous job, you can list it as a bullet point or a note underneath that specific job in your Employment History section.

So while awards and achievements are a great thing to include on any resume, they don’t always need their own dedicated section. You should also mention awards and recognition you’ve received in your cover letter, especially if it was a work-related award (such as employee of the month , salesperson of the year, etc.)

What to Put on a Resume if You Have No Work Experience

Now, if you just graduated and have absolutely  no work experience , here’s what to include on your entry-level resume.

(Note that if you even have an internship or part-time job that you’ve worked while going to school, you should use the steps above! Any work experience at all is worth showing on your resume).

However, if you have absolutely no work experience, here’s what to put on your resume…

As mentioned earlier, you should put your full name and professional-looking email address. Your street address and phone number are optional, but for most people, it makes sense to include those too.

The big exception: If you’re trying to get a job in another state . If so, consider leaving the address off.

2. Resume Summary Section

Even if you have no work experience, you can write something like:

“Recent Finance graduate with training in ____ and ____ seeking an opportunity to do ____.”

Or, look at the job title on the job description and try to incorporate that phrase into your resume summary. I discussed this strategy earlier, too, when showing the resume format and what to put for experienced candidates.

For more help, read our full article on  resume summaries for students and fresh graduates .

3. Education

If you have no work experience, then you need to put more information in your education section, to show employers you’re a fit for their job.

Were you involved in any clubs/activities at school?

What were some key projects you completed or coursework you did? (Specifically, key projects that are related to the jobs you’re applying for now).

Your resume should take up one full page, even if you have no work experience, and your education section is a place where you want to provide additional detail to fill out the page.

You can list skills that you learned in your studies or skills you’ve developed on your own. Only put skills you’re really comfortable talking about and using, because it’s very likely they’ll ask about this in an interview. If done right, the skills section can be a powerful tool to help you get more interviews though, for two reasons:

First, it’s a great way to put a lot of relevant keywords onto your resume, so that you get past computerized job application systems.

Second, it’s an easy way to show employers what you know that’s going to help you succeed in their job. Always re-order and re-adjust your skills section to fit what you think this specific employer wants!

More info on how to do that is coming up, but let’s finish the list first…

5. Community Involvement (Optional)

Any volunteer work or community service you’ve done. This  shows employers that you’re enthusiastic  and involved in the community, which can help set you apart (while also filling up your resume).

6. Awards/Achievements (Optional)

If you have no work experience, these would likely be academic achievements. Go ahead and list them underneath your education section. So don’t put this as a separate section, but do include awards, achievements, and any recognition you received when you write your education section in Step 3 above.

You now know what to include on a resume, even if you’ve never held a job! Keep reading though, because next – we’re going to look at mistakes to avoid.

Ideal Resume Format

Whether you have work experience or not, you should use reverse chronological order resume format . This is the resume format that recruiters and employers are used to seeing and prefer to read.

Don’t get fancy when it comes to your resume writing. Don’t use some unusual format, like a functional resume, that hides dates of employment and the order of the jobs you’ve held. This will only frustrate employers and cost you job interviews. It could also prevent you from getting through a company’s applicant tracking system .

What Not to Include on a Resume: Mistakes to Avoid

Now we’ve looked at what should be included in a resume and how to write those sections to grab attention.

We’re not done yet though – there are a few things that you should leave off of your resume if you want to get interviews… and you may not have been warned about these. So let’s cover that next…

1. Irrelevant Jobs

If you have a long work history, consider removing some jobs that aren’t relevant, or were at the very beginning of your career (especially if you’ve been working for 15-20 years or more). Note that you shouldn’t remove an irrelevant job if it’s going to leave your employment history empty. For example, if you’ve only held one job but it’s not relevant to what you want to do next, you should still keep it.

Why? It’s better to put a job that doesn’t seem closely related to your current job search than to put absolutely nothing in your employment history. And you can always show traits like leadership, accountability, hard work, problem-solving, etc., in your past work history, no matter what job you had! So hiring managers might still find it relevant and impressive.

2. An Objective Statement

It’s a mistake to write a resume with an objective. This is outdated and no longer necessary. Employers will assume that your objective is to obtain a position at their company if you’ve applied, so this is not something to include on your resume. Instead, put a  career summary section, as mentioned earlier in this article.

You can read more about why a resume doesn’t need an objective  here .

3. Anything That Makes Your Resume More Than Two Pages

Unless you have a Ph.D. and are writing an academic CV… or unless you’ve been working for 10-15+ years… your resume should not be more than two pages.

For 60-70% of people, your resume should only be one page. So focus on what’s most important and keep the length short.

As a recruiter, I’d rather see 8 specific skills that are relevant to the job I’m hiring for, rather than a list of 30 general skills that you’ve used throughout your career but might not be relevant to the job. So  make your resume laser-focused and target their needs!

4. More Soft Skills Than Hard Skills

As mentioned earlier, employers care mostly about hard skills on a resume. Your cover letter and job interview is where you should be demonstrating soft skills like communication, interpersonal skills, active listening, etc.

So as you review your resume, it’s a problem if you find many soft skills but few hard skills and job-related skills. In fact, you should be looking to highlight these job-related skills in practically every resume section, starting with your resume summary paragraph .

5. Spelling or Grammar Mistakes

Proofread and spellcheck everything.

You are very unlikely to get called for an interview if you have a spelling or grammar mistake on your resume – and nobody’s going to tell you either. So you need to find it yourself, or have a friend proofread it carefully for you!

Here’s a little trick if you proofread it yourself: temporarily change your resume to an unusual font before proofreading. It will help you spot errors (sounds crazy, I know. But it works). Now you’ve hopefully gotten answers to your questions about what should a resume include, and you’ve seen the top things to leave off as well.

ATS Optimization

Most companies use an automated tracking system (ATS) that scans all resumes before passing them on to recruiters. The ATS will automatically flunk the resumes of candidates who don’t appear to have the appropriate experience or education to qualify for the role.  You’ll want to ensure your resume includes keywords and phrases that are relevant to the position so you will make it past the ATS scanner .

How to Address Employment Gaps on a Resume

If you have any gaps in your employment history, you’ll want to explain them — especially if they’re longer than a year. 

You can usually “disguise” small gaps of less than a month by simply omitting the month. That practice is entirely acceptable, and if it comes up during the interview, you can explain you took a few weeks off before starting a new job.  However, for lengthier leaves of absence, you’ll want to describe what you did when you weren’t working full-time. For instance, if you took off a few years to raise young children or care for an elderly parent, simply list your reasons and the date.

There’s one final step, though, that’s going to get you far more interviews from all of this…

Final Step to Make Your Resume Stand Out: Tailor Your Resume to the Job Description

I recommend tailoring your resume to match the job description before sending it out for each job. Look at the skills and keywords listed on the job description as you’re writing your resume, and include matching information as much as possible.

Recruiters are always evaluating your resume relative to the job opening, so the more you can include skills and professional experience from their job posting, the more interviews you’ll get. Customize your career summary statement, work experience, and even skill list. You can use the job posting to discover new ideas of what to include. You can also reorder your content and even remove one or two areas that aren’t relevant to the jobs you want next.

Here’s a full article on  how to tailor your resume for each job .

It will take you slightly longer to customize each job application, but  you’ll get far more responses.

Would you rather apply for 50 jobs and hear back from one? Or apply for 25 jobs and hear back from four? That’s the type of difference tailoring your resume can make.

Now you know what goes on a resume and how to make each section attractive to employers. If you follow the steps above you’re going to have a great resume that grabs attention and shows recruiters and hiring managers why they should interview you immediately.

Conclusion: What Should Job Seekers Put on a Resume?

If you read everything above, you now know what sections to include when writing your professional resume. You also know which format to use: reverse chronological order. Plus, you know the top mistakes to avoid, such as including a resume objective.

IF you follow this advice, you’ll have a resume that shows relevant skills and experience, in the order that employers want to see it.

Your resume will get past applicant tracking systems and recruiters/HR, so you can win more interviews for the jobs you want.

Note that you can either do this resume writing yourself or use a resume builder . Either way, you can follow the advice above to ensure you finish with the right resume format.

About the Author

Read more articles by Biron Clark

More Resume Tips & Guides

Crafting the perfect resume for teens (template & expert advice), are resume writers worth it, don’t say you’re a quick learner on your resume, what do recruiters look for in a resume, chronological resume: the best format (and how to write it), the 3 best colors for a resume, career change resume: examples and tips from experts, what makes a good resume 9 ways to know, how long should a resume be, walk me through your resume: answer examples, 2 thoughts on “what to put on a resume: 9 things to include”.

If someone is a new grad looking for their first “real job” out of college, is it okay/recommended to split work experience into 2 sections like “relevant [major/industry] experience” and “additional experience”, or just to lump everything into 1 section called “work experience” and list everything in order relevant or not?

I would like to know one more thing I could put on there because I have all of these but im just not sure its enough. Thanks

Comments are closed.

Press Enter to search

How To Format a Two-Page Resume (And When You Actually Need One)

Not sure how to format a two-page resume — or whether you even need one? This guide has you covered. With real examples and recruiter-backed advice, learn when and how to expand your resume beyond a single page to showcase your expertise.

2 years ago   •   10 min read

If a one-page resume is good, then a two-page resume must be twice as good, right?

Unfortunately, no. A two-page resume can be effective, but only if you really need one. Generally, two-page resumes are for people applying for C-level, executive, or other senior positions. Most entry or mid-level job seekers should stick to a standard one-page resume instead and focus on including relevant tailored information.

In this article, we'll discuss when a two-page resume is beneficial and when it's not, how to properly format a two-page resume, including tips on what sections to include and what order they should go in , as well as how to effectively transition from your first page to your second and create a professional, concise document.

When should you use a 2-page resume?

Before we jump into the details of how to format and lay out your two-page resume, let’s take a moment to discuss if a two-page resume is right for you.

When to use a 2-page resume

You should use a two-page resume format if:

• You have 10-15 years+ experience
• You’re applying for very senior or executive roles
• You're in an industry that typically uses longer CVs instead of traditional resumes
• You genuinely need one. (See our tips below to find out if you actually have enough relevant information to warrant a 2-page resume)

When not to use a 2-page resume

Most job seekers won’t need a two-page resume. In most cases, recruiters expect a single page but won’t automatically reject you if your resume spills over onto a second page. That said, you should stick to a standard one-page resume if:

• You’re a student or recent graduate
• You don't have a lot of work experience
• You're applying for an internship or entry-level position
• You need to add extraneous information (“fluff”) to fill out a second page

How to decide between a 1-page or 2-page resume

Not sure if you need a 1-page or 2-page resume? Our tip: Do both.

• Start by creating a two-page resume with all of your information on it.
• Next, trim the least important bits, including older jobs, duplicate accomplishments, and optional resume sections, until you get it down to one page .
• Now, take a look at both resumes side by side. If the one-page resume is good enough, use that. If it's missing essential skills, keywords, or accomplishments, go with the two-page version instead.
• Run both versions through an ATS resume checker for a side by side comparison.
• If your resume is less than a page and a half, always cut it down to a single page.

If you’re wondering if your resume should be one page or two, upload it to the tool below — it’ll evaluate your resume and give you feedback on resume length and other key areas such as resume margins, font size and style, and spacing.

Now you’ve decided if a two-page resume is right for you, let’s discuss how to make the most out of those two pages and how to ensure your resume still looks concise and professional despite the longer format.

How to format a 2-page resume

You should format your two-page resume sections in this order:

• Contact details

Resume title

Executive summary, areas of expertise, work experience.

• Additional sections (e.g. volunteer work, projects, certifications, board memberships, etc.)

You can skip straight to any of those sections for more information, or keep reading for the full details. But first, let's take a look at an example of a 2-page resume, and how it differs from a standard 1-page resume.

2-page resume template

Here’s an example of a two-page executive or senior level resume, which shows how to effectively list and organize content on the second page:

For more templates, check out our C-level and executive resume templates , which you can download in Google Docs or PDF format.

What to include in a 2-page resume: Essentials

Decided on using a 2-page resume format? Every 2-page resume should include these basic secctions:

Contact information

This section is no different on a two-page resume. Include your name, general location, phone number, email address, and (optionally) a link to your portfolio or LinkedIn profile, as shown in this example:

Unlike a standard one-page resume, where this is an optional addition, an executive summary is a must for a two-page resume. A resume summary puts your most relevant experience together up front, where it’s impossible to miss.

Include a brief overview of your experience plus a few key accomplishments in bullet points , as shown in this example:

This is the most important part of any resume, and that goes double for a two-page resume. The primary reason for having a two-page resume is that you have an extensive list of relevant work experience that needs to be included, so this will generally be the longest section on your two-page resume.

You can format your work experience differently on a two-page resume, as you have more room to play with. Consider splitting up your bullet points into core competencies with their own subheadings to help a recruiter quickly scan your experience and pick out the information they’re seeking. For example, you could split your experience into Revenue Growth, Mergers & Acquisitions, and Diversity & Inclusion, as shown in the example below.

You may also want to include a short blurb above your bullet points to quickly contextualize key elements of the role, for example, the scope of the business or the size of the department you led. For example:

In contrast to your work experience, additional sections like education should be shortened on a two-page resume. Include the name of the school and degree, location, and your major and relevant minor(s) . At this stage, you can leave off details like your GPA, coursework, student activities, and even your graduation date .

For example:

In a two-page resume, you can still include a short section at the bottom that lists technical skills, languages , certifications, awards, and other information. Title this section “Skills” or “Core competencies.” Consider splitting this section into key areas using subheadings to highlight specific competencies and make your resume easier to skim.For example:

If you want to find technical skills related to the executive/management role you’re applying for, use the tool below to get a list of relevant skills and keywords. The tool also gives you the option to upload your resume. It’ll perform a quick scan and tell you what skills are missing.

What to include in a 2-page resume: Extras

In addition to the above, here are some additional sections you can include on a 2-page resume:

This can go at the top of your resume and should match the exact title of the job you’re applying for. This can help your resume pass the initial ATS screening stage, especially if you’ve done similar work previously but under a slightly different title. In addition, you can add select keywords underneath to highlight your top areas of expertise, similar to a LinkedIn headline , as shown in the example below.

No, this isn’t just a fancy name for a skills section . An areas of expertise section goes at the top of your resume, underneath the executive summary, and should include a high-level overview of your broad areas of expertise rather than specific technical skills . This is an optional addition, but can be very helpful in highlighting your broader expertise and summarizing the overall theme of your work experience.

Additional sections

You can choose to include one or two additional areas in your two-page resume, including volunteer work , projects , certifications , board memberships , and professional affiliations.

But don’t feel the need to include all of these sections just to fill space. Instead, choose 1 or 2 that are most relevant to your experience and the job you’re applying for. For example, a projects section might be a good idea for work that requires programming or design skills , while board memberships and professional affiliations can emphasize that you’re well-regarded in your particular field.

Here is an example of a few additional sections that can add relevant information to your two-page resume.

For even more tips on how to format a 2-page resume, why not check out our definitive 2022 guide on how to write an executive resume ?

Formatting a 2-page resume: Do's and don'ts

Wondering about the nitty-gritty of how to format a two-page resume? Here's everything you need to know.

DO Put the most important information on page one

Submitting a two-page resume doesn't guarantee a recruiter will actually read more than one page. Make sure the most relevant information, like your most recent work experience, is on the first page so it doesn't get overlooked.

DO use consistent formatting

Maintain consistent formatting and style across both pages to create a cohesive, professional-looking document. This includes using the same font type , size, headings, and bullet points. See our guide on resume formatting tips for more details.

DO balance content and white space

Try not to overcrowd your resume and fill every area with text, as a cluttered resume can be overwhelming and hard to read. Instead, ensure there’s enough empty space to make the text easily readable. Maintain standard margins and consistent spacing between sections, headings, and bullet points to improve readability and aesthetic appeal.

DON’T Repeat information on the second page

There's no need to include the same information twice, so skip the resume title and summary on your second page.

DON’T Submit a double-sided resume

If your resume is two pages long, make sure it's printed on two separate pages, not on a single, double-sided page. A double-sided document is much easier for a recruiter to accidentally overlook.

DON’T Add unnecessary filler

Avoid the temptation to include irrelevant information just to fill space. Every section and bullet point should add value and relevance to your resume. Including unnecessary details can dilute the impact of your key accomplishments and strengths.

How to transition from your first to second page on a 2-page resume

When formatting a two-page resume, you want to make sure your information flows smoothly from the first to second page. Here are some tips to make this transition engaging and easy to follow:

Choose a logical place to break

Make sure that the content at the end of the first page is complete before transitioning to the next, and avoid cutting off sections midway. You will most likely be splitting your work experience between the two pages, but try to finish one role on the first page and start a new one on the second.

Use subheadings for clarity

For long sections like work experience that span both pages, use subheadings for clarity. If a role or project extends over two pages, use subheadings at the top of the second page to remind the reader what the information is related to.

Use headers and footers

Put details like your name, phone number, or email address in a header or footer so it appears on both pages. Use the header function on Word or Google Docs to make your formatting as professional as possible.

Use page numbers

Ensure the hiring manager doesn't miss the second page of your resume by including page numbers. Put "1/2" and "2/2" in your resume header or footer rather than simply writing a number at the bottom of the page.

Highlight section titles

Use bold or italicized fonts to highlight the start of a new section, making it clear to the reader when they are transitioning to a different segment of your resume.

The effectiveness of a two-page resume in different industries

Understanding the expectations of your industry is important when deciding on the length of your resume. Here's a look at various sectors and industries that commonly require/expect two-page resumes:

In academic, scientific, and medical fields

Professionals in these fields often have extensive publications, research, and project experiences that lends itself more to a two-page resume. A two-page resume allows space for this additional information, which is not generally included in other fields.

In creative and Tech industries

For roles in graphic design, architecture, IT, or software development, a two-page resume can be beneficial if you have a substantial portfolio of projects or a long list of technical skills and certifications. It allows more space to elaborate on your skills without overcrowding the resume.

In business, finance, and legal sectors

Higher-level positions in these industries, like executives or managers with years of experience, often require a two-page resume to cover a long history of relevant positions, accomplishments, and skills.

In government and non-profit organizations

These sectors sometimes prefer comprehensive resumes that detail all relevant experiences and qualifications, rather than just your most recent and relevant roles, often making two pages more suitable for government resumes.

However, even within these industries, a two-page resume is usually only appropriate for candidates with substantial experience or those applying for senior-level positions. Entry/mid-level applicants with less experience should still stick to a one-page resume, unless they have a compelling amount of relevant information that requires the longer format.

Spread the word

How to make the most of professional affiliations on your resume, how to abbreviate million, billion and thousands on a resume, keep reading, how to show bilingualism on your resume (with examples), oops what to do if there’s a mistake on your resume, getting the basics right: resume line spacing, subscribe to our newsletter.

Stay updated with Resume Worded by signing up for our newsletter.

🎉 Awesome! Now check your inbox and click the link to confirm your subscription.

Please enter a valid email address

Oops! There was an error sending the email, please try later

Thank you for the checklist! I realized I was making so many mistakes on my resume that I've now fixed. I'm much more confident in my resume now.

• PRO Courses Guides New Tech Help Pro Expert Videos About wikiHow Pro Upgrade Sign In
• EDIT Edit this Article
• EXPLORE Tech Help Pro About Us Random Article Quizzes Request a New Article Community Dashboard This Or That Game Happiness Hub Popular Categories Arts and Entertainment Artwork Books Movies Computers and Electronics Computers Phone Skills Technology Hacks Health Men's Health Mental Health Women's Health Relationships Dating Love Relationship Issues Hobbies and Crafts Crafts Drawing Games Education & Communication Communication Skills Personal Development Studying Personal Care and Style Fashion Hair Care Personal Hygiene Youth Personal Care School Stuff Dating All Categories Arts and Entertainment Finance and Business Home and Garden Relationship Quizzes Cars & Other Vehicles Food and Entertaining Personal Care and Style Sports and Fitness Computers and Electronics Health Pets and Animals Travel Education & Communication Hobbies and Crafts Philosophy and Religion Work World Family Life Holidays and Traditions Relationships Youth
• Browse Articles
• Learn Something New
• Quizzes Hot
• Happiness Hub
• This Or That Game
• Train Your Brain
• Explore More
• Support wikiHow
• About wikiHow
• Log in / Sign up
• Job Application Documents
• Resume Preparation

How to Make a Cover Page

Last Updated: January 12, 2024 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by Amber Rosenberg, PCC . Amber Rosenberg is a Professional Life Coach, Career Coach, and Executive Coach based in the San Francisco Bay Area. As the owner of Pacific Life Coach, she has 20+ years of coaching experience and a background in corporations, tech companies, and nonprofits. Amber trained with the Coaches Training Institute and is a member of the International Coaching Federation (ICF). There are 7 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 147,827 times.

Many professional and academic documents will require a cover page, but the information required for a cover page varies depending on the nature of the document. Some cover pages, like those you would send with a resume, are actually letters. Others, like those used for academic essays, are actually title pages. For all cover letters, using a standard font such as Times New Roman, in at least a 12-point size, is recommended.

Formatting a Cover Page For Your Resume

• You should usually use standard 1-inch (2.5-cm) margins, but you can use margins as small as 0.7 inch (1.8 cm) as long as they are the same on all sides.

• If you have a fax number, you should include it below your phone number and above your e-mail address.

• Write out the full name of the month, rather than abbreviating by using a number. For example, rather than write 1/1/2001, you should write January 1, 2001.
• Leave a blank line above and below the date.

• Note that you do not need to include an e-mail address, phone number, or fax number for the company.
• If you do not know the name of a specific contact at the company, skip over that information.

• When you can determine the gender of the receiver, leave out his or her first name and address the receiver as "Mr." or "Ms." For example, "Dear Ms. Smith" or "Dear Mr. Johnson."
• If you do not know the gender of the receiver, skip the title and use his or her full name. For example, "Dear Pat Roberts."
• Leave a blank line before and after you address the receiver.

• If you are a student, state the university you attend and your major.
• Indicate what position you are applying for as well as how or where you heard about the position.
• You can also mention the name of a professional or academic contact you know who has a positive connection to the reader or company.

• List any special projects, awards, or accomplishments that have a clear connection to the skill set requested by the employer.

• You can include your phone number and e-mail address, as well, but it is not entirely necessary since this information is included in your header.

• Always use black ink to sign formal documents.

Making a Cover Page For a Fax

• Include your phone number and your fax number beneath your name and address.
• Leave at least two blank lines below this header and the rest of the document.

• It's a good idea to save your document as a template for future fax use, since the general format will remain the same.
• The most important quality to your fax cover sheet is that it be clear and easy to read.

• Label the date with "DATE," the receiver's name with "TO," your name with "FROM," and your phone number with "PHONE."
• In the United States, the date will be written in "Month, Day, Year," while in most other countries, it will be written "Day, Month, Year."

• Label the time with "TIME," the receiver's fax number with "FAX," your fax number with "FAX," and your e-mail address with "EMAIL."
• Note that the receiver's name and fax number should be placed on the same horizontal line. Likewise, your name and fax number should be placed on a shared horizontal line of their own.

• Note that this line does not need to be in all capital letters.

• If you had previous contact with the receiver concerning this fax, state that information.
• Introduce your message with the label "MESSAGE:"
• Below your message, ask the receiver to verify the receipt of the document by calling the phone number provided or using the e-mail address provided.

• Specific privacy guidelines for transmission of protected confidential information may vary. If you work for a health provider, you may need to follow additional guidelines to protect the privacy of your client.

Formatting a Cover Page For Your Manuscript

• Use your real name. If you are submitting the manuscript under a pen name, you can follow your real name with your pen name. Introduce a pen name with "A.K.A." or "(Pen name: John Doe)."
• If you're submitting your work to a context that will be judged anonymously, you'll include your contact information on the cover page, while omitting your name and contact information from the title page.

• You do not need to use an exact word count. For instance, if your manuscript is 63,472 words, round it off to 63,000 or 63,500.
• Introduce the word count with "Approximately ______ words."

• Typing the title in all capital letters is a fairly common practice, but it is not necessary.
• It's not necessary to underline, italicize, or bold the title.

• You don't have to include any indication of copyright protection, as your work is automatically protected.
• Never bind or connect the pages of your manuscript in any way. Your cover letter, like the other pages of your manuscript, should be unbound and placed in an envelope or box.

Using APA Style For Your Cover Page

• Introduce the running head with the words "Running head." Follow this label with a colon.
• The running head itself should be in all capital letters.
• The running head should be no longer than 50 characters, including spaces and punctuation.

• The page number and running head should be evenly aligned horizontally.

• Capitalize the first letter of all major words but not for minor words. For example: How to Make a Cover Page
• Do not italicize, bold, or underline the title.

• For example, if you are submitting the paper for a class taken at the University of North Carolina at Asheville, you should include this in the line beneath the author's name (i.e. your name, and the names of your co-authors.)
• Check with your professor for any additional guidelines.

Using MLA Style For Your Cover Page

• Be aware that cover pages are not standard in MLA format, but some professors do request them.

• Do not bold, italicize, or underline either the title or the subtitle.

• Your name should be written using the same font and size as the other words on your title page.
• Don't try to use a cute or clever font for any part of your cover page, as professors don't care for this.

• Introduce your instructor as "Dr." when appropriate. If you cannot use this title to address your instructor, at least introduce him or her as "Professor." For example, "Dr. John Doe" or "Professor John Doe."
• Include both the course name and number.

Using Chicago Style For Your Cover Page

• In Chicago style, cover page and title page refer to the same thing.
• Your professor may have other requirements. Make sure you use the preferred formatting for your course.

• Capitalize the first letter of each major word in your title, but not those belonging to minor words. For example: How to Make a Cover Page
• Alternatively, some style guides suggest that the title be presented in ALL CAPS.
• Do not underline, italicize, or bold the title.
• If you have a subtitle, place a colon following your title and write the subtitle on the following line.

• Your name should be typed about three quarters of the way down the page.
• Use the same font and size that you've used throughout the cover page.

• Include both the name and course number of the subject.
• Write your professor's full name and title. Use "Dr." only when appropriate. For example: "Dr. John Doe" or "Professor John Doe."

Expert Q&A

You Might Also Like

• ↑ https://careercenter.georgetown.edu/major-career-guides/resumes-cover-letters/resume-formatting-tips/
• ↑ Amber Rosenberg, PCC. Pacific Life Coach. Expert Interview. 8 March 2022.
• ↑ http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/549/01/
• ↑ http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/create-edit-fax-cover-page#1TC=windows-7
• ↑ https://winningwriters.com/resources/manuscript-tips
• ↑ http://academictips.org/mla-format/mla-format-cover-page/
• ↑ https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/717/02/

About This Article

To make a cover page using MLA format, start by setting your margins to 1 inch on all sides and keeping the alignment centered. Next, choose 12 point Times New Roman for your font and place your title roughly one-third of the way down, capitalizing the first letter of every major word in your title. Then, skip several lines below the title and write your full name, as well as any other collaborators. Finally, list the name of your instructor, the name of the class, and the date, making sure to separate each element with a double-spaced line. To learn more, like how to make a cover page using APA or Chicago Style, read on! Did this summary help you? Yes No

• Send fan mail to authors

Did this article help you?

Featured Articles

Trending Articles

Watch Articles

• Terms of Use
• Privacy Policy
• Do Not Sell or Share My Info
• Not Selling Info

Don’t miss out! Sign up for

wikiHow’s newsletter

Yes, You Can Put a Career Break on Your Resume. Here’s How.

I’ve coached hundreds of job seekers over the past six years, but never have I seen more of them returning to work after months- or years-long career breaks than I have recently. For example, I work with moms whose career plans got dashed by the pandemic and with immigrants who need a minute to settle their families into a new country.

Although they’re in good company, clients are anxious about these gaps—even the planned and intentional career breaks—worrying they’ll be perceived as less attractive than other candidates. After all, professionals with resume gaps have historically faced biases that affected their employment odds. In the past, I’ve seen some clients with clear gaps on their resumes have trouble landing interviews, and others try to find creative or even questionable ways to hide career breaks.

But nowadays, I reassure my clients that there’s no need for Simone Biles–level resume gymnastics. They’re re-entering the workforce at a time when career breaks aren’t as taboo as they once were. I even encourage them to address those gaps head-on in their resumes—because, when done strategically, it can actually help you.

Why career breaks have become so common—to take and talk about

We can’t all work nonstop from the moment we toss that graduation cap in the air until the day we retire. People have long taken deliberate career breaks for all kinds of reasons, such as leaving a disappointing or toxic workplace ; focusing on family commitments; relocating for a partner; traveling; doing some reflection and strategic career planning; pursuing education or training; volunteering; focusing on a passion; resting and recovering from overwork; or exploring a new career path.

But the pandemic and the realizations it spurred about work and life led many more workers to take breaks, whether by necessity or very much by choice. Professionals exited the workforce in droves, with women leaving at higher rates than men, according to International Labour Organization (ILO) data. But people’s career breaks eventually came to an end, and in 2022, employment surpassed pre-pandemic levels .

While the outpouring of talent from the workforce was initially because of layoffs and personal obligations like caretaking, it continued for other reasons. More people than ever before found themselves without a commute and working remotely. With more time to think about what they wanted and growing clarity on what they were and weren’t willing to put up with, people quit their jobs at record rates during the Great Resignation . Not everyone had another job lined up.

In early 2022, LinkedIn polled close to 23,000 workers and more than 7,000 hiring managers about career breaks. They discovered that a whopping 62% of employees had taken career breaks in the past, and 35% (mostly women) expressed an interest in taking a career break in the future.

LinkedIn even rolled out a new feature in March 2022, allowing members to spotlight career breaks in the “Experience” section of their profiles. Users can indicate they took a career break and select a reason from a dropdown menu, including relocation, retirement, travel, volunteer work, bereavement , career transition, caregiving, full-time parenting, gap year, layoff/position eliminated, and professional development. Users can also add details such as responsibilities, achievements , and skills developed, much like they would provide for any other work experience .

With so many people taking, planning, and even highlighting career breaks on their professional profiles, I reassure my clients with career gaps that it’s OK—and can even be beneficial—to include them on their resumes.

Why you might want to include a career break on your resume

Putting a career break proudly on your resume gives you the opportunity to take control of the narrative. You can frame a career break as a positive, explain whether it was intentional, and in any case show how you made the most of the time and what you gained from it. Highlighting a break with those kinds of details could tell an employer more about your character, values, and skill set—i.e., everything they’re trying to find out in the interview process.

Some recruiters and employers specifically target professionals returning after career breaks and even offer re-entry programs ( Harvard Business Review estimates that nearly 40% of Fortune 50 companies have one of these programs in-house). When people cut or try to camouflage a career break from their resumes, screening programs and recruiters may not recognize they qualify, and both sides miss out.

When to include a career break on your resume

When I discover a client has an unexplained resume gap, I gather information about the break and first decide if we need to add it to their resume. Ask yourself:

• When was the career break? If my client’s break took place more than 10 to 15 years ago, we don’t include it because we don’t include any content that far back.
• How long was the career break? If it’s more recent, the deciding factor is the length of the break—I recommend adding it if it lasted more than a month. If there’s more than a one-month gap on your resume, then an employer will assume you weren’t working. For example, if one job on your resume ended in May 2022, they’d expect another employer to be listed starting in May 2022 or June 2022. If the starting date for a new employer is July 2022 or later, you should add a career break to your resume with an explanation.

How to add a career break to your resume experience section

The best spot for a career break on your resume is in your experience section. To add one, follow these simple steps:

• Come up with a name for the “position,” such as “Family Sabbatical,” “Professional Development,” or “Volunteer.”
• Where the name of a company is typically listed, add “Career Break,” “Planned Career Break,” or other similar language. Alternatively, if you volunteered during your career break, you can list the name of the sponsoring company.
• Write the time frame for the career break just as you would for a job.
• List a handful of notable activities and accomplishments.

Examples of career breaks on a resume experience section

Here’s how I listed my own career break on my resume: 

Self-Employed Part-Time , January 2022 – June 2022 Planned Career Break

• Took an intentional pause to focus on caregiving for my infant.
• Recruited notable guests and recorded episodes for my Express to Impress Podcast .

As you can see, you might take one career break for multiple reasons, and your resume should reflect that.

Here are several additional examples of what a career break could look like in the experience section of your resume (some of these are real examples!):

Education and Family Sabbatical, Mar. 2021 – Present

• Relocated to Tokyo to join my husband and carry out family caretaking responsibilities.
• Completed Accreditat Certificate in English Language Teaching and International House Teaching Certificate.

Education and Wellness Sabbatical, Feb 2019 – Jan 2020 Career Break Took voluntary career hiatus for a wellness sabbatical to get credentialed as a coach, travel, explore programs and build capabilities in well-being, and mindfulness to enrich my leadership and professional development skills to help organizations build workplaces and cultures where people can thrive and perform better. I built the following skills: blogging, relationship building, people development, and leadership development.

Career Break  |  April 2019 – March 2021 Relocation

• Intentionally relocated my family from India to the U.S., purchasing and settling into our home, taking maternity leave, and enrolling the children in school.
• Earned AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner qualification.

Skipper, April 2017–April 2018 Career Break Achieved dream to complete a long-distance sail with family from Seattle to the Galapagos Islands with many stops along the way. Survived a broken mast, steering loss, a fire, many leaks, and toddler tantrums.

Professionally Active Career Break June 2020–December 2020

• Member of a 50-person division laid off during the COVID-19 global pandemic.
• Stayed professionally active by attending weekly webinars and training to gain new skills.
• Joined Toastmasters (in a remote format) and improved professional speaking skills.
• Earned PMP certification.

Professional Development | December 2021–April 2022 Career Break

• Took an intentional pause from a 15-year fulfilling career to take a self-designed sabbatical to rejuvenate myself and discover opportunities to use my skill set in new ways.
• Shadowed 3 professionals to gain a deeper understanding of their day-to-day responsibilities
• Conducted 20+ informational interviews to understand new industries and my career options.
• Successfully completed Flatiron School’s cybersecurity bootcamp.

Dad Intentional Career Break, Jan 2019 – Dec 2020

• Resigned from fulfilling role to spend quality time with my family as a stay-at-home dad, allowing my wife to pursue her career goals.
• Grew my planning, management, multi-tasking and troubleshooting skills and developed patience and gratitude.

Volunteer Nurse,  IVHQ |  Buenos Aires, Argentina December 2021–February 2022

• Treated patients under supervision, performing check-ups, providing basic medical care, and taking patient notes.
• Gained insight into the Argentinian healthcare system.
• Improved Spanish language skills.

How (and if) to mention a career break in your resume summary

I typically don’t recommend mentioning a career break in your resume summary because there’s already precious little space there, and you can—and should —address it in a positive way in a cover letter instead. But suppose an employer doesn’t allow candidates to send a cover letter. In that case, I’d suggest adding a sentence to the end of the summary section acknowledging you took time off, sharing the reason briefly, and expressing your eagerness to return to work.

Examples of career break mentions in a resume summary

Let’s take a quick look at a few examples of what that line at the end of your resume summary could look like.

Highly motivated to rejoin the workforce in a role that leverages my organizational skills after taking a career break for caretaking.

More inspired than ever to engage in meaningful work after a refreshing intentional two-month career break for travel.

Invested in my education after a COVID-19 layoff, and eager to bring new knowledge to a growing company.

What I love about all of these examples is that these professionals are proud of their career breaks. And by focusing on what they gained during a break from traditional employment, they set the tone and shape how others perceive these gaps.

Whether intentional or unplanned, a career break provides rich growth opportunities and can be one of the most interesting parts in your career journey. So go ahead and display yours proudly and prominently.

This question is about resume builder .

What is a resume cover page?

A resume cover page is a letter that you write in addition to your resume when you apply for a position. A resume cover page or cover letter gives a more detailed informational approach to your overall experience and career skills.

It is meant to highlight how you are the perfect fit for the role you are applying for. It should also contain your knowledge of the specific position, the company, and why you want to work for them.

Some use the term resume cover page in the context of an actual first page of a resume, and this would contain:

Your name in large text at the top

Contact information - email, phone number, state, and/or city or town you live in

Your professional profile - a concise overview of your careers and talents

An opening statement specific to the employer

Expansion of the details of your experience and skills within your resume

Closing with a polite request for an interview

Search for jobs

Related questions for resume builder, recent job searches.

• Registered nurse jobs Resume Location
• Truck driver jobs Resume Location
• Call center representative jobs Resume Location
• Customer service representative jobs Resume
• Delivery driver jobs Resume Location
• Warehouse worker jobs Resume Location
• Account executive jobs Resume Location
• Sales associate jobs Resume Location
• Licensed practical nurse jobs Resume Location
• Company driver jobs Resume

Jobs Near You

Can you round up gpa on a resume?

How many years of work experience should be on a resume?

How to describe good work ethic on a resume

How to review a resume

How much work history should you put on a resume?

How to title a resume?

• Zippia Answers
• What Is A Resume Cover Page

When and How To Include a Picture on Your Resume

Consider Your Goals

When to include a picture on your resume, how to take a professional picture, frequently asked questions.

Many modern resume templates let you easily add your picture. But should you? Below we’ll discuss this question and review cases where including your photo is appropriate.

Most job seekers in the U.S. should not include a picture because it’s simply not relevant to the focus of a modern resume or job search.

Remember your resume’s sole purpose: to get interviews for your target job. With few exceptions , your document’s information should serve that purpose by centering on how you’re qualified in your field. The details a picture reveals about you – such as your appearance, race, or gender – have no real bearing on those qualifications or how well you can perform. They don’t need to be part of your resume. In many cases, the photo is actually a distraction that can end up exposing you to a hiring manager’s (conscious or unconscious) biases. Avoid this problem by keeping a strict focus on your pertinent skills.

There are two main scenarios where you’ll be expected or required to include a photo:

1. You’re applying to work in a foreign country

Hiring practices vary by region. In some countries, you’ll actually need to include a photo on your international resume or curriculum vitae (CV) . Many job postings specify whether you should send a photograph, but when in doubt, look up the country’s general hiring standards and ensure your document follows them. Below are some countries and world regions where it’s customary to send a photo with your job application:

• Philippines
• South America
• South Korea
• The Middle East

2. You're applying for jobs in the performing arts

It’s also acceptable to include your picture on a resume for jobs where physical appearance is relevant, such as acting, modeling, or TV broadcasting. Since you’ll already include a professional headshot in your application, the photo won’t trigger any negative implications for HR departments. Casting and modeling agencies look for certain types of builds and appearances for individual roles, so adding a picture at the top of your resume can enhance your document in these cases.

Similarly, you may choose to include your photo for jobs in outside sales, marketing, or real estate, where you’d be expected to make a polished impression on clients and prospects.

Whenever you need to include a photo on your resume, follow these best practices:

• Apply filters as needed to improve brightness
• Ensure your face comprises the majority of the frame
• Feature a friendly smile and demeanor
• Use a high-resolution image
• Utilize a plain background
• Use natural, soft lighting
• Wear professional business attire

(Note: Consider hiring a professional photographer if you’re struggling to get an image that meets these standards.)

When do I include a picture on my cover letter? -

Follow the same general guidance as for your resume above. On many resume templates, the photo appears as part of your contact header, making it easy to carry over the same presentation on your cover letter and other job search documents.

Should I include a picture on my LinkedIn profile? -

Yes. Typically, your LinkedIn profile should be slightly less formal than your resume. Adding a photo strikes a more casual and personable tone that helps you connect with others and find opportunities on the site.

Should I put my address on my resume? -

In most cases, yes . But you don't need to give your street address; you can just your current city, state, and zip code.

Craft your perfect resume in minutes

Get 2x more interviews with Resume Builder. Access Pro Plan features for a limited time!

Jacob Meade

Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW, ACRW)

Jacob Meade is a resume writer and editor with nearly a decade of experience. His writing method centers on understanding and then expressing each person’s unique work history and strengths toward their career goal. Jacob has enjoyed working with jobseekers of all ages and career levels, finding that a clear and focused resume can help people from any walk of life. He is an Academy Certified Resume Writer (ACRW) with the Resume Writing Academy, and a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) with the Professional Association of Resume Writers & Career Coaches.

Build a Resume to Enhance Your Career

• How to Build a Resume Learn More
• Basic Resume Examples and Templates Learn More
• How Many Jobs Should You List on a Resume? Learn More
• How to Include Personal and Academic Projects on Your Resume Learn More

Essential Guides for Your Job Search

• How to Land Your Dream Job Learn More
• How to Organize Your Job Search Learn More
• How to Include References in Your Job Search Learn More
• The Best Questions to Ask in a Job Interview Learn More

7 things NOT to include on your resume

Resume writing is an important skill to have, and the art of creating a great resume is vital to learn. While there are a wealth of important things to include in your resume, there are just as many things not to put on a resume when submitting a job application.

When you write a resume, you’re essentially building an argument for why you're the ideal candidate for the job so it’s important that you demonstrate relevant skills, relevant achievements and professional experience that are in line with the job posting in question.

That said, hiring managers and recruiters may only spend a couple of minutes (or less) making their assessment, so your resume needs to be clear, to the point and relevant. Despite this, many people – even seasoned professionals, include irrelevant or unnecessary elements in their resumes that can mean they get passed over for a role. 

Navigating through the job search process can be overwhelming, especially when it comes to creating a resume that stands out. While there are numerous things to include in a resume, it is equally essential to understand what to omit. So, let's dive into our professional resume tips and, more specifically, the things not to include on a resume:

Here are 7 handy tips for what not to include in a resume:

1. Personal details

Your resume should have very few personal details about you that aren’t work-related. Your hobbies, your goals, your star sign – these are all better left out of your professional resume – along with details like your age, race, marital status, sexuality, gender, or political leanings. 

These things are rarely relevant and could potentially lead to profiling or discrimination. If a particular hobby or interest of yours pertains to a job you’re applying for, you can try to find somewhere else for it. For example, if you are applying for a media position and you have an interest in photography, there could be a way to work this into your cover letter.

2. Your academic transcript

Detailing your education should be restricted to your achievements – majors, awards, diplomas, fellowships and any relevant extra-curricular activity. Don’t let the education section of your resume get bogged down in the details of every subject or class you ever took; just focus on the most important parts.

Most employers aren’t interested in your grades, but they are interested in the end result. List your academic achievements chronologically, and date them.

3. Poor or inconsistent grammar

While anyone can spell-check their resume before sending it off, there are some mistakes that are harder to catch, such as colloquialisms and unclear, rambling sentences. A few bullet points succinctly describing your work experience should suffice.

Above all, whatever grammatical style you choose for your resume, keep it consistent, so watch out for discrepancies like using personal pronouns in one section and then dropping them in the next, or switching between tenses.

4. Bad news

There’s no need to include negative things on your resume – jobs you were fired from, incidents from university, even run-ins with the police. Your resume is there to sell you as an employee, so be positive and enthusiastic.

If there is something in your past that you know will be a red flag for a hiring manager, make sure you have an explanation ready to go so that if it comes up in an interview, you aren’t caught off guard.

5. Too much text

Having huge sections of text on your resume can be overwhelming. There is no way to know how many other applications a hiring manager might receive, but it’s a good idea to assume they’re going to be looking through dozens of resumes.

Your job is to tell a potential employer as much as possible in as little time as possible, so use short sentences and bullet points where applicable. By making the text easier to read, you make yourself easier to hire.

6. Dishonest statements

While you should tailor your resume to the job description and include relevant keywords, it’s important not to be dishonest. Misleading statements and incorrect information can quickly catch up to you at the interview stage, so avoid embellishing and instead focus on how your genuine skills and experience apply to the role – even if you don’t meet all the criteria.

Unless you’re in a creative field where visuals are expected on your resume, avoid taking up valuable real estate with images such as headshots or other graphic design elements. As a general rule, stick to formatting that is professional and contemporary without being flashy. 

Tips for crafting a professional resume

Now that we’ve gotten through the things to NOT include on your resume let’s dive into some helpful tips for building a professional resume that’s bound to stand out to a prospective employer. Our guide is here to help, offering the best resume tips on what to put on a resume and how to align it with the job description of your desired job title.

1. Tailor your resume to the job description

When a job posting is advertised, it lists the key skills and experiences the hiring manager is looking for. A tailored resume matches these skills and experiences from your employment history and relevant achievements. For instance, if the job ad specifies strong word processing skills, ensure that these technical skills feature prominently in your skills section.

2. Resume summary or objective

The opening statement of your resume is your chance to catch the hiring manager's attention. It could be either a resume summary highlighting your professional experience and achievements, or a resume objective, detailing your career goals. Make sure it aligns with the specific job and speaks directly to the job duties and requirements in the job ad.

3. Highlight relevant skills and experience

Including relevant skills and experiences in the employment history section is crucial for creating a great resume. Exclude irrelevant jobs or skills that don't apply to the job description. Focus on showcasing hard skills, like computer skills, that are directly relevant to the job. If you are in the early stages of your career and lack professional experience, highlight your education history, academic achievements, and any relevant volunteer work.

4. Keep your resume concise

The best professional resumes are typically one or two pages. Limit each job description to a few bullet points to keep the information concise and readable. This approach helps the hiring manager quickly identify your relevant skills and experiences.

5. Use keywords relevant to the job

Many companies use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to manage their hiring process. These systems filter out resumes that don't include relevant keywords. Terms and phrases from the job description are great things to put on a resume to increase its visibility.

6. Keep personal information minimal and professional

Your resume should include your contact details, but limit personal details to a professional email address and, if relevant, a link to your professional or personal website or online portfolio. Marital status and personal attributes are not typically needed.

7. Utilise a professional resume template

Using a resume template ensures that your resume sections are organised and that your resume appears professional. There are various resume templates available, choose one that best suits your industry and job.

8. Education section

If you're a recent graduate or the job requires specific education, highlight this in a separate education section. For roles requiring significant professional experience, this section can be more brief, focusing on the highest level of education achieved.

Remember, not every resume will look the same - it needs to be tailored to each specific job application. By following these tips and knowing what to include on your resume, you will stand out to hiring managers, increasing your chances of landing a job interview in your current job search. Best of luck!

Ready to make your next career move? Our Job Match tool enables you to easily find the perfect job, or set up job alerts to stay on top of new opportunities.

Search for jobs

• changing jobs
• applying for a job

Looking for a new role?

Quickly find jobs that match your CV with our Job Match tool.

Maximise your job search success

Sign up for job alerts.

Stay on top of the job market and the latest roles with our job alerts.

Salary Guide Australia

Discover your value with salary benchmarks across various industries.

Simplify your job search by downloading our new App

Related articles

This website has app functionality. Add it to your home screen for fast access and offline features.