How To Show Contact Information on Your Resume With Examples, Tips, and Guide

Contact information is often the simplest part of a resume. But it’s also the most important section to get right. If your contact details are inaccurate or hard to find on your resume, they can hinder (if not erase) your chance of hearing back from employers. To avoid any pitfalls with this section, double-check your information and make it as easy as possible for recruiters and hiring managers to reach you.

This guide will show you the best way to organize and format contact information on your resume.

Resume Contact Information Template and Formatting Guide

On nearly any modern resume, the contact information section should include your:

• First and last name
• Phone number
• Email address
• City, state, and zip code

Place these details at the very top of your resume (right above the summary), following this format:

Firstname Lastname
phone number | email address | City, ST zip code

Use a large font size (between 17 and 20) for your name. Also, consider making your other contact details slightly larger than your resume’s body text.

Reorder contact details at your discretion, keeping in mind the detail that appears first after your name is generally the most prominent. For instance, if a job posting indicates the employer will contact applicants by email, move your email address first:

Also, notice how in this format the contact details are separated by pipe symbols. You can use different symbols (such as ellipses or bullet points) as long as they’re small and subtle enough to not be distracting.

Many resumes follow a two-column template, with contact information at the top of the narrower column. In these cases, you can simply present the same details in list form:

Some job seekers use word or icon labels for their contact information, like this:

We discourage this format, however. Since the details are already assumed, labels are unnecessary and can give the section a cluttered appearance. (One possible exception is labeling your cell phone number, as covered below.)

Resume Contact Information Tips

Your contact information is as important as anything else on your resume, so double-check that every detail is current and accurate. Also verify that your contact details are identical across your resume, cover letter, email signature, business or networking cards, LinkedIn profile, and any other application materials. Following are tips for each main part of this section.

Name

Take a simple, straightforward approach by leaving out your middle name and giving just one first name you commonly go by. Otherwise, you may confuse hiring managers on what to call you.

Consider adding your middle initial if your first and last names are common or if you know others in your field who share your name. This extra detail helps distinguish your resume and can make it easier for hiring managers to find you online.

Phone number

Provide only one phone number. When you list two or more, you’ll just complicate hiring managers’ task of reaching you. Use your cell phone number if possible, and consider labeling it as such:

This format assures hiring managers that when they call, they’ll reach you directly or can leave a confidential voicemail. (If you haven’t already, personalize your voicemail greeting so callers know they have the right number.)

Omit details on your availability for phone calls. If your current job or travel schedule might delay your response longer than a few business hours, mention that in your cover letter closing.

When applying to job openings internationally, don’t forget to include your country’s calling code.

Email address

Similar to your phone number, include just one email address. Use a personal email, preferably on one of the better-known platforms like Gmail or Outlook. If necessary, create a separate email account for your job search to ensure the one you list on your resume is simple and professional.

Location

It’s no longer customary to include your street address, but do give your city, state, and zip code. Use your state’s two-letter abbreviation.

Obviously, these details alone won’t help a person get in touch with you. But most recruiters and hiring managers still appreciate knowing where you’re based and can note any time difference when calling you for a remote position.

Also, indicate if you’re planning to relocate in the near term. This extra detail is helpful if you’re applying to in-person jobs in the city or region to which you’re moving.

Online profiles

If you have a relevant LinkedIn profile, include it as a hyperlink next to your other contact details:

You can also use the full web address, but only after personalizing your URL.

Also, provide links to any work-related websites, portfolios, or social media accounts, following the same format as your LinkedIn profile:

Remember to give full web addresses any time you must print and submit a hardcopy resume by mail or in person, such as at a job fair. If you find your contact details take up more than one line of text, divide them into two lines to maintain a polished format:

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.