10 Essential Resume Sections in 2024 with Layout Tips

Hiring managers don’t have time to spare. In seven seconds or less, your resume needs to deliver high-value information about your candidacy. If it fails to do that, your chances of landing an interview will fall through the floor. To help you avoid this pitfall, you need to get your resume sections right.

Understanding what sections should be on a resume and where to include them is a must. Before you get started, be sure to familiarize yourself with them. In the following guide, we cover the different parts of resumes, what they entail, and how to structure them.

Why the order of your resume sections matters

Before we take a look at the resume sections you should include, let’s talk about why the order matters.

Here are some of the reasons that you should pay attention to your resume structure:

• Highlight your most valuable attributes by placing them front and center.
• Tailor the order of the resume sections according to the demands of the job advert.
• Grab the hiring manager’s attention by including the best sections first.
• Ensure the resume structure is easy for the reader to follow.

What to include in your resume—5 essential resume sections

Your resume sections can be neatly split into two parts: essential and optional. We’ll be covering both in this guide but let’s start with the basics. There are five essential parts of a resume that you shouldn’t overlook.

Hiring managers expect to see the following as standard:

• Header:  Within your resume header, share your basic contact details. That way, the hiring manager can reach out to you if your application hits the mark.
• Resume summary or objective: Your resume summary or objective is a freeform paragraph that showcases your unique selling point (USP) to the hiring manager.
• Work experience section: As the name suggests, this section highlights your work experience, typically in reverse-chronological order.
• Skills section: Your resume skills section includes a bullet-pointed list of the core competencies that you have under your belt.
• Education section: Finally, your education section includes details of your high school or college education.

It takes skill to nail each of these resume sections. Let’s dive into what each part should include.

Contact information

Your resume header is likely the first thing a hiring manager will see. This short resume section plays a vital role in the application process. It’s where you list your contact details. For that reason, it needs to be clear, concise, and easy for the reader to process.

Here’s what you should include in it:

• Start things off with your full name. You may choose to make this stand out by using a larger font size (no bigger than 16 pts) or putting the words in bold.
• List the title of the role you’re applying for exactly as shown in the advert.
• Don’t include your full street address as this is outdated. Instead, let the hiring manager know where you’re located in more general terms.
• Include a phone number where the hiring manager can reach you.
• Use a professional email address, such as one that contains your name. Avoid using “quirky” email addresses or ones that include your nickname.

You should include the above information as standard.

However, there are some optional extras, such as:

• Include a hyperlink to your Linkedin profile. Make sure that it’s up to date first.
• Displaying your professional website or your portfolio page could be of benefit as well.
• Social media accounts may be suitable if you’re applying for a social media or PR role.

If you’re looking for some inspiration, we have you covered.

Take a look at our example below:

When you’ve perfected your resume header section, move swiftly on to writing either a resume summary or an objective.

Resume summary or objective

Now that you have the basics down, it’s time to grab the hiring manager’s attention. Your resume summary or objective typically sits at the top of the page. Whichever you choose, the result is a short and sweet paragraph designed to show off your unique value.

Let’s break down each of the options:

Resume summary

Recommended for established professionals, this bio includes your most impressive accomplishments and skills. For example, you might include how many years of experience you have, any awards you’ve gained, or your special talents in this section. Consider which parts of your experience have the most impact and then detail them here.

Take a look at our resume summary example now:

Resume objective 

On the other hand, if you’re new to the industry, you might use a resume objective. Essentially, this is a statement of intent. You can start by detailing what has drawn you to the field and the skills you already have. End the statement by including a promise for the future. What is it that you hope to achieve? Add this into the bio and don’t be afraid to dream big.

Take a look at our resume objective example now:

Think long and hard about whether you need a summary or an objective. When you’ve completed this section, you can start delving into your work experience.

Work experience section

What experience are you bringing to the table? Your work experience section is where you detail the positions you’ve held before now. While you may have had a long, illustrious career, you should only list between three and four job roles. More than that can look overwhelming to a hiring manager.

We recommend using the reverse-chronological order here. That means starting with your most recent— or current—job at the top of the section and working your way back in time.

Here’s what to do:

• List your official job title (i.e. the position that was on your contract) first.
• Include both the company name and it’s location—city and state.
• Be clear about when you worked at this business.
• End with a bullet-pointed list that covers your main job duties and the achievements you gained in the role. Wherever possible, quantify your achievements with facts and statistics. This approach shows the hiring manager the real impact your work had.

Using a bullet point structure is smart as it’s easily skimmable. You don’t want to put the reader off by including hefty paragraphs beneath your job roles.

Check out our work experience example below:

As you can see, sharing details of your previous positions is a breeze. Next up, let’s talk about how you can accentuate your top skills like a pro.

Skills section

While your skills section is short, it’s a valuable addition to your resume. Check out the job description to see what competencies the role demands first.

Here are some of the skills that you should include:

• Hard skills: As previously mentioned, these apply directly to the industry or position.
• Tools and tech: Cover any technology that you’re confident in using.
• Software proficiency: You should also list any software you’re proficient in using.
• Transferable skills: Proficiencies that you can use in a range of fields (ideal for career changers!).

Attractive candidates will naturally have a balance of hard and soft skills. Hard skills apply directly to the job and are often technical. Soft skills, such as communication and time management, are valuable in most careers but not industry-specific.

We recommend only listing your hard skills in this section. However, you shouldn’t overlook your soft skills. You can hint at them in other resume sections. For example, you may allude to your excellent communication skills by talking about how you “liaised with coworkers” in your work experience section.

Want to know how your skills section should look? Here’s an example:

When you’ve covered your most notable skills, show off your education.

Education section

The education section of your resume is where you show off your formal schooling. Here, you need to ensure that you get the details right. If you went to high school—but not college—you need to provide your high school diploma. However, if you have a college degree (or multiple degrees), there is no need to include your high school education.

In any case, here’s what you should detail:

• The name of your high school or college and its location.
• The degree or diploma you gained at this institute.
• Include either the date you finished your education or the dates you attended.
• The subjects you studied, including your major and minors for degrees.
• List the final grade that you got for each of your qualifications.

If you’re not sure how to structure this section, look at our education example:

Including these five resume sections is the baseline. It’s what all hiring managers expect when they review applications. However, it doesn’t start and end there. Next, we take a look at optional parts of resumes.

Optional: Five additional parts of a resume

Looking for a way to take your resume to the next level? If you want to stand out from the crowd, it’s worth considering the additional resume sections you could add. While you don’t have to include any of the following, each one could potentially boost the chance of you landing that interview. We’ll break each down for you.

Certifications

We’ve already covered your education section. However, if you’ve gained professional certificates, you need to shout about them. You may have gained these on the job or while you were studying. So long as they’re relevant to the vacancy, adding them in their own section is a bonus.

Include the following:

• The exact name of the qualification (or certificate) you have gained.
• The name of the course provider, if it’s online, or the institute or college name.
• The date that you received the qualification.
• If the certificate or qualification was graded, include the final grade too.

You can use either reverse-chronological order or list your certificates in order of relevance.

Here’s how you might complete the certifications section:

Adding these qualifications to your resume could give you a competitive edge. Now, let’s take a look at how you can show some individuality.

Hobbies & interests

Since the hiring manager hasn’t yet met you in person, they don’t have much to go on. Showing a little personality is a smart way to make a real connection with them. For that reason, you can include a hobbies and interests section. Use bullet points to list your pastimes.

Here are some examples:

• Sports clubs: If you’re on a team, show some spirit. Let the hiring manager know what sports you play. You can even name-check the club.
• Crafts: Whether you love crocheting, knitting, painting, or sewing, you can include it here.
• Entertainment: You might be part of a drama group, sing in a band, or do stand-up on the side.
• Games: You might play chess, dominoes, Dungeons and Dragons, or any other game.

Whatever hobbies and interests you have, sharing them with the hiring manager will help them understand you.

Check out our example below:

Languages

Adding languages to your resume is a quick way to boost your employability. It could also impact how much you earn. Research shows that speaking a second language can add between 11% and 35% to your salary. Here are the elements you should include in this section:

• The languages you speak apart from English.
• Your overall proficiency level.

Next up, let’s dive into how you can show off your volunteer experience next.

Volunteering experience

Volunteering experience can be a huge bonus when applying for jobs. Not only do you pick up invaluable skills, but you also show that you’re a caring person. It’s a win-win scenario. Dedicating a whole resume section to this experience highlights your giving nature.

Here are the elements to include:

• Charity or nonprofit: Start with the name of the charity or nonprofit at which you volunteered.
• Location: Next, include the location where you volunteered.
• Role: What was the name of your voluntary role? It’s okay if it’s simply “volunteer”.
• Dates of service: The date you started volunteering and the date you stopped.
• Duties and achievements: Bullet point your main duties and any notable achievements.

Let’s take a look at how you can structure this part of your resume:

Now that you know how to list your volunteer experience, we’ll take a look at awards and recognitions.

Awards and recognitions

Have you excelled in your career? Have you been recognized for your accomplishments? If the answer is yes, you should let the hiring manager know about it. If you have a range of awards or recognitions, include a resume section to highlight them.

List the following details in each case:

• Award name: Start with the name of the award and, if applicable, the category.
• Awarding body: List the name of the body or board that issued the award.
• Date: When did you receive the award? Include the exact date.
• Extra information: For example, the person who nominated you for this specific award.

Check out our example of how to create an awards and recognitions section:  

Next up, let’s take a look at how you can share your projects and extracurriculars with hiring managers.

Projects and extracurricular activities

You’ve already detailed your hobbies and interests, but what about the projects and extracurriculars that you dedicate your time to? If you spend your free time working on a passion project, you can list this on your resume. For example, you may be learning a coding language, renovating a building, or working with disadvantaged children.

Whatever the case, here’s how you can list it in this resume section:

• Project name: Include the name of the project or extracurricular.
• Brief description: Use bullet points to explain what the project entails.
• Dates (optional): You can include the start and end date of the project, for example.

If the project is associated with a job role or institute, you should include them as bullet points in your work experience or education section. However, if it’s a stand-alone activity, create a specific section.

Let’s take a peek at how you can structure this part of a resume:

Remember, these resume sections are OPTIONAL. Before you add them to your document, think about whether you have the space and whether they add real value.

How to organize different sections on a resume + examples

We’ve already covered which resume sections you should include. But what order should they go in? The answer depends on the format that you’re using. Here’s a quick guide to how to organize your resume.

Resume formats

There are three main resume formats to pick from—reverse-chronological, functional, and hybrid (combination). The structure changes depending on the format you choose.

Here’s what you should know:

• Reverse-chronological format: This format is like a timeline detailing your professional journey—starting with your most recent position and working backward. That means that hiring managers can quickly see your career history.
• Functional format: This resume format focuses on skills rather than experience. Instead of using a timeline structure, your work history is organized by competencies. For example, you might have headers, such as “Communication skills” and your relevant positions below that.
• Hybrid (combination) format: As the name suggests, a combination resume format combines the best of both worlds. It includes elements from the other two formats and is a flexible option. You can use this approach to show off both your diverse skill set and your work experience.

Choose your resume section order based on your career situation

Not sure which to choose? The best resume format and how you order your sections will depend on your career stage. You should choose the right option for your level. Luckily, we have the advice you need.

• Recent graduate resume sections: If you’re new to the job pool, you should choose either a functional or hybrid resume format. This approach allows you to emphasize your skills over your work experience (or lack of work experience).
• Junior, mid-level, or experienced candidate: Have you had a linear career path? If you have some level of experience in the sector, it’s smart to use a reverse-chronological format. This approach means the hiring manager can instantly understand your career journey so far.
• Career changers: Trying your hand at something new? If so, using the hybrid (or combination) resume format is the answer. You can group the experience you have by skill category. This is a savvy way to show off your transferable skills to the hiring manager quickly.

Selecting the right format for your needs is the best way to position yourself as a top candidate. Now, let’s bust a myth when it comes to “beating the bots”.

Formatting a resume for applicant tracking systems

There’s a lot of hype surrounding Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS). First of all, not all companies use software to review resumes. Secondly, when companies do use it, it’s not as brutal as the internet portraits it to be.

The ATS software simply sorts resumes for the hiring manager. It’s unlikely to flat-out reject applications and your resume will eventually be read by a real-life human.

Here are the formatting decisions that do NOT impact how well you rank within the software:

• Font style: All conventional fonts are suitable for ATS software.
• Colors and graphics: Including these won’t affect the ATS outcome.
• Columns: It doesn’t matter how many columns you include when it comes to the ATS.
• Resume length: The length of your resume doesn’t matter either.
• Photos: Whether or not you include a photo won’t impact the ATS software.

Of course, it’s smart to keep the ATS software in mind when creating your resume.

Let’s take a look at a couple of the ways you can tailor your application for the system:

• Tailor your resume: Ensure your resume aligns with the job description. Where possible, use the same keywords and phrases as the advert.
• Pay attention to detail: Minor details, such as date formats, commas vs. spaces between skills, and bullet symbols can impact the ATS result. At Resume Mentor, we take care of these for you.

In summary, the so-called bots don’t have the power to reject your application. However, you should format your resume sections so that they align with the software.

Resume sections to avoid

By this point, you should be an expert on resume sections. However, there are some resume parts that simply add nothing to your application.

Avoid including the following elements:

• References: This is an outdated detail that hiring managers don’t expect to see. If they require professional references from you, they’ll ask you for them directly.
• Photo: In most cases, you should NOT include a photo (or headshot) on your resume. However, if you work in entertainment—as an actor or model—you should include this feature.
• GPA: You don’t need to include your GPA. Instead, list your final grades for specific qualifications.
• Soft skills: As we have mentioned, there’s no need to list soft skills directly. Instead, you should hint at them contextually within other sections of your resume.

Don’t fall into the trap of including resume parts simply to fill space. Start by detailing the essential resume sections and add the optional ones where they make sense. This approach boosts your chance of success.

Conclusion

Whatever job you’re applying for, your application should include the essential resume sections as a starting point. Use our guide to figure out which additional resume parts you want to add. Once you’ve done that, select the right resume format for your career stage and structure it well. If you want to take all of the hassle out of this process, use our resume builder tool and get started now.