What are the 5 resume sections you should always include? With tips!

Having an effective resume could be the difference between getting an interview and being dumped on the proverbial reject pile. Besides making it past the Applicant Tracking System (ATS) used by most companies, recruiters generally spend no more than six to seven seconds looking at your resume, and 80% don’t get past the first screening. A hiring manager needs to be able to quickly see certain information, and five basic resume sections can help you deliver it.

In this article, we’ll discuss:

• What are the 5 basic sections of a resume?

• Optional resume sections

• Dos and don’ts for creating your resume sections

• In what order should these sections be listed?

The 5 basic sections of a resume

The main point of a resume is to highlight your skills and experience in the best possible way to show a hiring manager or recruiter why you’re a great candidate. You can’t just have a laundry list of every job you’ve held. To that end, there are five basic sections that your resume should have:

1. Contact information

Obviously, the recruiter needs to know how to get in touch with you! Your contact information should include the following: your full name, address (the city and state), phone number (only one), and email (make sure it sounds professional). Also, add professional social media links or your website.

It may seem obvious but don't include things like your work email, your date of birth, marital status, or a photo, which is not standard practice in the U.S. Keep it simple and concise. 

2. Professional summary

Near the top of your resume, you’ll want to include a brief professional summary. Think of it as an elevator pitch: a quick introduction, enticing the recruiter to keep reading. You’ll use the professional summary to show your relevant experience, mention your skills and/or accomplishments, and utilize applicable keywords from the job description. 

3. Skills section

A skills section (also called core competencies or areas of expertise) usually comes right after the paragraph summary and provides the hiring manager with a snapshot of your key skills. It should be modified based on the job description of the position you’re applying for. 

When reviewing the job description, be on the lookout for hard skills. These are job/industry specific and necessary to perform a job well, while soft skills (such as communication, time management, or organization) could apply to any position.  Including hard skills in a bulleted list allows the recruiter to quickly scan your resume and determine if you’re a good fit. Incorporate your skills into the other sections of the resume (remember those keywords!) to ensure your resume will perform well on an ATS scan. If you're in a technical industry, consider adding a tech table with technologies you are proficient in as well. 

4. Job history

Of the five sections of a resume this is the one where you'll give an overview of places you've worked, the positions you've held, and how long you worked there. Additionally, mention your responsibilities, accomplishments, and any special recognition you received (achievements can go in a bulleted list after your job description paragraph). Include only the last 10-15 years of experience, and remember to tailor the job descriptions to the position you are targeting. 

5. Education and certifications

The education section is important because it shows your degrees and any career certifications relevant to your position. In general, this section will be placed towards the bottom of your resume, because after you have a few years in the job market, the focus should be on your experience and the skills you’ve developed.

List your education starting with the highest level of education you’ve attained. Include the name and location of your school, degree earned, and the dates you attended (if less than 10 years prior. Otherwise, leave it off.) If you’re new to the workforce, you can include things like your GPA (if higher than 3.5/4), any awards or honors, or relevant clubs/organizations.

If you don’t have a college degree, you still can have an education section. Have you taken any job-relevant online or community college courses? Have you obtained any additional training or certifications? All of these are valid and should be listed on your resume.

Optional resume sections

While not required, there are a few sections you might consider including on your resume, especially if you’re changing careers or don’t have a lot of work experience. These are volunteer work, professional associations, and publications. If it’s a requirement for the job, place languages spoken under the skills section. 

Remember, your resume should be about one to two pages in length, so if you don’t have room, don’t squeeze them in.

Putting your resume sections in the correct order

While these five basic resume sections are pretty much mandatory, the order in which they’re placed might be different, depending on your career situation. While the contact information always goes on the top, under that, consider the following: 

For a reverse-chronological resume (most common), the order should be: 

• Professional summary

• Skills

• Job history

• Education

• Professional organizations (if relevant)

If you’re a recent graduate, go with this order:  

• Summary

• Skills 

• Education

• Any work experience

• Awards/activities

• Volunteer or college organization experience if it’s relevant

If you’re looking to build a great resume, try Career.io’s Resume Builder tool, which will help you improve all the sections on your resume with templates, expert advice, and AI smart suggestions.

Key takeaways

1. The five basic sections of your resume should include contact info, a professional summary, skills, work history, and education.

2. The order in which these sections are placed on your resume depends on your current career situation.

3. Include keywords from the job description throughout your resume, as well as in the skills section.