When you’re crafting your resume, every bit of space counts. By condensing your contact information into one line, you can free up valuable space for your professional qualifications and experience. In this article, we’ll walk you through the best practices for formatting your address on a resume and explain the various options available. In addition, we’ll share tips on keeping it concise while ensuring you provide essential details.
Should you include your address on a resume?
Including a home address on your resume is becoming less common, especially in today’s digital age. Most employers will want to contact you via email or phone, so your full home address is often unnecessary. However, when a company prefers to hire locally, they may filter candidates by regional zip codes, so it’s important to know when and why you should share this information.
If you have privacy concerns or are applying for remote positions, you may choose to leave off your physical or mailing address. Instead, you can opt for sharing only your zip code or a broad location like the metropolitan area. For example, you can list something like, “Greater Boston, MA area” or simply your “Zip Code.”
How to format your address on one line
Depending on your needs, you have multiple ways to format your address for a concise presentation. Here’s how to approach it:
1. Standard Format for a Full Address
If you want to list your full address, here’s the traditional format:
- Street Number and Street, City, State, Zip Code
Example:
123 Maple Street, Winston-Salem, NC 27103
This format is most commonly used when an employer wants to see your complete location.
2. Abbreviated Format for Space-Saving
If you want to save space while still sharing essential details, you can shorten your address to just the city, state, and zip code. Place this alongside your phone number and LinkedIn URL for easy access.
Example:
Winston-Salem, NC 27103 | 336.555.1004 | LinkedIn
This format helps conserve space without sacrificing too much detail. It’s especially useful when applying for jobs that don’t require your full address upfront.
3. Location-Only Format for Privacy and Simplicity
If you’re applying for remote positions or simply wish to keep your physical address private, you can leave off the street address entirely. Instead, list your city, state, and other pertinent contact details.
Example:
Winston-Salem, NC | 336.555.1004 | LinkedIn
This streamlined format emphasizes location without giving away unnecessary personal information.
Address placement on a resume
No matter which format you choose, your contact information — such as your address (or city/state), phone number, and LinkedIn profile — should be grouped together in a prominent position at the top of your resume. Typically, it’s best to place it either in the header or footer of your document. This ensures that potential employers can easily find and access your information.
Alternatives to a full address on a resume
If you prefer not to use your full address, there are other ways to share your location or contact details:
1. Simply Use Your ZIP Code: This is a good option to share your location without revealing your exact address. For instance:
Example:
Winston-Salem, NC 27103
2. Relocating to [City, State]: If you’re planning to move soon, especially if applying for a job in a new city, indicate your upcoming relocation. For example:
Example:
Relocating to Chicago, IL
3. Replace Your Address with LinkedIn or Portfolio Links: If you’re in a creative field or looking for jobs where an online portfolio or LinkedIn presence is important, replace your address with those links for a more modern approach:
Example:
LinkedIn | Portfolio
Common Mistakes To Avoid When Writing an Address on One Line
While simplifying your address, be mindful of these common mistakes:
- Overcrowding the header: Don’t overload the header with too many details. Focus on your name, phone number, city/state, and essential links like LinkedIn or your portfolio.
- Inconsistent abbreviations: While you want to save space, be sure your abbreviations are standard. For example, use “St.” for “Street” and “NC” for “North Carolina” instead of overly shortened versions.
- Using small fonts for space: While reducing your font size to fit everything on one line might be tempting, avoid going smaller than 9 or 10 points. This ensures your contact information is legible while maintaining a professional appearance.
Resume Examples With One-Line Addresses
Full address format resume example
Jane Doe
123 Maple Street, Winston-Salem, NC 27103
Phone: 336-555-1004 | LinkedIn: LinkedIn.com/in/janedoe
Email: [email protected]
Professional Summary
Motivated and detail-oriented marketing professional with over five years of experience managing digital campaigns. Skilled in content creation, market research, and data analysis, with a proven track record of increasing customer engagement and driving revenue growth.
Experience
Marketing Manager
XYZ Corp. – Winston-Salem, NC
March 2020 – Present
- Led a team of five in the development and execution of digital marketing campaigns that increased web traffic by 40%.
- Managed a $500,000 annual budget for advertising, allocating resources across paid search, social media, and email marketing.
- Conducted data analysis to refine target audience strategies, boosting customer retention by 20%.
Digital Marketing Coordinator
ABC Inc. – Winston-Salem, NC
January 2017 – February 2020
- Developed and launched social media campaigns that grew followers by 30% year over year.
- Increased lead generation by 25% through SEO and content marketing strategies.
- Coordinated with cross-functional teams to align marketing initiatives with company objectives.
Education
Bachelor of Arts in Marketing
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill – Chapel Hill, NC
Graduated: May 2016
Abbreviated format resume example
John Smith
Winston-Salem, NC 27103
Phone: 336-555-2001 | LinkedIn: LinkedIn.com/in/johnsmith
Email: [email protected]
Professional Summary
Experienced software developer with a strong background in coding, debugging, and software optimization. Proficient in multiple programming languages, including Java, Python, and C++, emphasizing creating scalable and efficient solutions.
Experience
Software Developer
Tech Solutions – Winston-Salem, NC
March 2018 – Present
- Developed, tested, and deployed web applications that improved user experience by 35%.
- Collaborated with a team of 10 to build mobile applications using React Native and JavaScript.
- Improved system efficiency by refactoring existing code, reducing response times by 40%.
Junior Software Developer
Code Masters – Winston-Salem, NC
June 2016 – February 2018
- Assisted in the development of various mobile apps and backend services.
- Wrote unit tests and performed code reviews to ensure high-quality deliverables.
- Collaborated closely with senior developers to enhance overall product features.
Education
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
Wake Forest University – Winston-Salem, NC
Graduated: May 2016
Location-only format resume example
Emily Taylor
Winston-Salem, NC
Phone: 336-555-3002 | LinkedIn: LinkedIn.com/in/emilytaylor
Email: [email protected]
Professional Summary
Creative and results-driven graphic designer with over four years of experience in visual design and branding. Expertise in Adobe Creative Suite, web design, and client collaboration. Proven ability to create visually compelling designs that align with client needs and brand guidelines.
Experience
Graphic Designer
Creative Designs – Winston-Salem, NC
May 2019 – Present
- Designed branding materials and digital ads that improved client engagement by 50%.
- Collaborated with marketing teams to create visually impactful presentations for pitch meetings.
- Worked with clients to understand design needs and provide tailored solutions.
Junior Graphic Designer
Visual Arts Studio – Winston-Salem, NC
June 2017 – April 2019
- Assisted in the creation of marketing collateral for print and digital media.
- Coordinated design projects from concept to completion, ensuring timely delivery.
- Developed social media content and graphics that increased brand visibility.
Education
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design
University of North Carolina – Greensboro, NC
Graduated: May 2017
Frequently Asked Questions About How To Write an Address on One Line
You can use the same format as you would on your resume, but be mindful of the space constraints. The address should be brief, including only essential information, such as city, state, and zip code, or even just your city and state.
Using a P.O. box on your resume is generally not advisable, as it can make you seem less established or stable. If you need a mailing address but don't want to use your home address, consider asking a family member or friend if you can use their address.
Yes, it is good to include your address on a job application. Employers need this information for background checks, record-keeping, and to confirm your location for the job.
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