How To Put Contact Information on Your Resume + Examples

While highlighting your skills and experience is the main goal of your resume, equally important is the inclusion of clear and accurate contact information. The contact section of your resume is a gateway for hiring managers to contact you for further consideration. In this guide, we’ll explore key elements you should include in your contact information, optional details that can enhance your resume, and what you should avoid to ensure you only stand out for the right reasons.

What Needs To Be Included

You should always include contact information on your resume to ensure potential employers can easily contact you. These basic details are vital for effective communication throughout the hiring process. In the following sections, we’ll explore the key elements you must incorporate into your resume’s contact information section, such as your name, phone number, email address, and location. Let’s take a look at these elements in greater detail and discuss how to present them effectively on your resume.

Name

Your name should be the attention-grabbing focal point of your resume. This text is usually the most prominent element on the page, so keep that in mind when filling out the rest of the document. Use your first and last names and include any relevant professional titles, such as Ph.D. or RN. Display your name at the top of your resume using a simple and professional font. Hiring managers should be able to read and remember your name easily, so avoid fancy or overly decorative fonts that may hinder readability.

Personal phone number and email address

As the primary form of communication in our world, your personal phone number and email address are the most critical pieces of contact information on your resume besides your name. Employers should be able to reach you seamlessly, so make it easy for them by providing accurate and professional information.

Personal Phone Number: Always give a reliable phone number and ensure you have access to it. Check your voicemail inbox and clean it out if it’s full. You don’t want to miss an opportunity because a potential employer couldn’t message you.

Professional Email Address: Before you add your email address to your resume, be sure it sounds professional. Opt for a simple format using your first and last name. A professional email address shows that you take your job search seriously.

Location

Including your location on a resume is the best way for employers to understand your proximity to the job opportunity. However, there’s no need to disclose your full mailing or residential address. You only need to include your city, state, and zip code.

By giving your general location, employers can quickly assess whether you’re within a reasonable commuting distance or if relocation would be necessary. This allows them to make logistical considerations early in the hiring process and evaluate your suitability for the role based on geography.

Optional Information You Should Consider Including

Depending on your professional background and the jobs you’re applying for, including additional contact information on your resume can be beneficial. Whether it be LinkedIn profiles or artistic portfolios, these details enable hiring managers to understand your professional background better. This extra info can give you an edge in a competitive job market. You can demonstrate your expertise, creativity, and credibility outside of what you’ve already included in your resume. However, keep in mind that it may not always be appropriate to share this information.

Links to social media profiles

Consider including links to relevant social media profiles on your resume if your employment situation and industry call for it. For example, LinkedIn is a valuable platform for professional networking and showcasing your qualifications. By including a link to your LinkedIn profile, potential employers can gain insight into your professional background, connections, and endorsements. Especially for certain roles like social media managers, including links to platforms such as Twitter or Instagram will demonstrate your expertise in content creation and managing an online presence.

Personal websites and professional portfolios

For individuals working in creative fields, it’s often a requirement to include links to personal websites and professional portfolios. This additional information provides a platform to showcase your creative work, projects, and accomplishments. A personal website is a centralized hub, allowing potential employers to deeply explore your artwork, blog, or other relevant content. Professional portfolios, whether in visual arts, writing, or design, offer tangible examples of your skills and expertise. You can present a dynamic and visual example of your capabilities, enabling employers to assess your creative prowess and suitability for the role.

What Should Not Be Included

It’s important to know that disclosing certain contact information on a resume can be inappropriate and should be avoided. Do not include social security numbers, driver’s license numbers, or any other form of government-issued identification. Similarly, it’s unnecessary to discuss personal information like marital status or gender, as these details are irrelevant to one’s professional qualifications. While providing contact information like a professional email address and phone number is essential, sharing sensitive information should be avoided to maintain privacy and professionalism. Let’s talk about what you definitely should not include on your resume.

Date of birth

Disclosing your date of birth is generally considered inappropriate and unnecessary during the hiring process. Unfortunately, ageism is a real problem affecting both younger and older job seekers. It’s true that revealing your age can lead to age discrimination and bias from potential employers, so we recommend you leave your birthdate off your resume. Hiring decisions should be based on your qualifications, skills, and experience rather than age. By excluding your age, you can ensure unbiased consideration and allow hiring managers to focus solely on your capabilities and suitability for the job.

Work phone number or email address

It’s best practice not to include your work phone number or email address on your resume. Maintaining confidentiality is vital if you’re currently employed until you’ve secured a new position. Revealing your work contact details could potentially alert your employer to your job search too soon if a hiring manager chooses to contact them. Even if you’re not concerned about your current employer finding out about your plan to leave, using your work contact information on your resume may be perceived as unprofessional. As a general rule, it’s always best to provide personal contact information separate from your current workplace.

Andrew Stoner

Executive Resume Writer and Career Coach

Andrew Stoner is an executive career coach and resume writer with 17 years of experience as a hiring manager and operations leader at two Fortune 500 Financial Services companies, and as the career services director at two major university business schools.