A resume is your first impression before you even meet a recruiter. It highlights your skills, experience, and qualifications, making it key to landing a job. However, many job seekers struggle with what to include—some add too much, while others leave out important details that could set them apart.

This blog will show you exactly what to include in your resume. You’ll learn how to make it ATS-friendly, appealing to hiring managers, and tailored to your ideal role. Let’s dive in!

Understanding the Importance of a Resume

“Your Resume Speaks Before You Do.”

Before an employer ever meets you, they see your resume. In fact, research shows that recruiters spend an average of 6-7 seconds scanning a resume before deciding whether to proceed with a candidate.

Common Resume Mistakes Job Seekers Make

Many job seekers make avoidable errors that cost them opportunities. These include:

• Using an outdated or generic resume.
• Listing too much personal information.
• Not tailoring the resume to the job description.
• Poor formatting that confuses ATS systems.
• Failing to quantify achievements.

What Recruiters Look For in a Resume?

Hiring managers prioritize relevant experience, skills, and achievements. They want to see proof that you can excel in the role. Resumes that provide clear, results-driven details get noticed.

However, it’s not just about what you’ve done—it’s how you show it. Recruiters scan for measurable results, action-based language, and a layout that’s easy to follow. They look for keywords that match the job post, along with evidence of growth or impact in your past roles.

Good formatting also matters. If your resume is cluttered or hard to scan, it may be skipped—even if you’re qualified. That’s why it’s important to keep sections clear, use bullet points, and lead with strong, direct statements.

What to Put on a Resume?

A resume must show the best of your work and skills—clearly and quickly. At Jump Resume Builder, we help you add what matters most. Start with your name and contact info at the top. Next, include a short summary that explains what you do and what you’re good at. Then, list your work history. Use bullet points to show what you did and what you achieved in each role. Add your skills—both hard and soft—and your education details. If you have certifications or awards, add them too. Our templates guide you through each step, so your resume stays neat, easy to read, and built to impress recruiters. Let’s have a look in detail.

Contact Information

Your resume should always start with clear and accurate contact details. This makes sure that recruiters can reach you easily.

What Should You Include:

• Full Name – Use the same professional name that appears on your LinkedIn and other job profiles.
• Email Address – Choose a clean, up-to-date email. Avoid using outdated domains, and go with a format like [name]@gmail.com or a business email if available.
• Phone Number – Use a number you regularly check, and set a voicemail that sounds professional and polite.
• LinkedIn Profile – Add your LinkedIn profile URL because around 85% of recruiters check LinkedIn before hiring.
• Portfolio or Website – If you’re in a creative or tech field, include a link to showcase your work.

What to Leave Out:

• Home Address – No longer needed and may lead to bias.
• Personal Details – Avoid listing your age, marital status, or social security number. These are not required.

Keeping this section simple and professional helps recruiters focus on what truly matters—your skills and experience.

Professional Summary vs. Objective Statement

Many job seekers mix up a Professional Summary and an Objective Statement. Here’s how they differ:

• Professional Summary – A short, 2-3 sentence overview of your key skills, experience, and the value you bring to an employer.
• Objective Statement – A statement about your career goals. This is outdated and not recommended for most job seekers.

Tips to Write a Strong Professional Summary:

• Keep it short and impactful (2-3 sentences).
• Use strong action words and highlight key achievements.
• Tailor it to each job you apply for.

Example:

“Results-driven marketing professional with 5+ years of experience in digital campaigns, SEO, and brand strategy. Increased organic traffic by 40% in six months.”

Core Skills & Competencies that You Can Add in Your Resume

Your skills section should highlight both hard and soft skills that match the job you are applying for.

Hard Skills vs. Soft Skills

• Hard Skills – Technical or job-specific abilities, such as SEO, coding, or financial analysis.
• Soft Skills – Interpersonal skills, like teamwork, communication, or leadership.

Examples of In-Demand Skills (By Industry)

• Tech – Python, JavaScript, SQL, AWS, UX/UI Design.
• Marketing – SEO, Google Analytics, Copywriting, Social Media Management.
• Finance – Financial Modeling, Risk Analysis, Budget Management.
• Sales – CRM Software, Negotiation, Cold Calling, Lead Generation.

Including the right mix of hard and soft skills can help you stand out and show that you are both technically capable and a strong team player.

Work Experience: Showcasing Your Impact

Your work experience is the most crucial part of your resume.

Best Formatting Practices:

• Job Title | Company Name | Location | Dates of Employment
• Use bullet points (3-5 per job) to highlight key achievements.

How to Structure Bullet Points for Maximum Impact

Use this formula: Action Verb + Task + Quantifiable Result

Good Example:

“Managed a team of 10 sales representatives, increasing regional sales by 30% in Q3 2023.”

Bad Example:

“Responsible for managing the sales team.”

How Far Back Should You Go?

Stick to the last 10-15 years. Older roles should be summarized or removed.

Education & Certifications: What Matters Most?

The importance of the education section depends on your career stage.

• If you are a recent graduate or early-career professional, your degree, coursework, and academic achievements help demonstrate your qualifications.
• If you are an experienced professional, keep this section brief by listing only your degree and major unless your education is highly relevant to the role.

What to Include in the Education Section?

Regardless of experience level, include the following details:

• Degree & Major – Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Associate’s degree
• University Name & Location – Spell out the full institution name
• Graduation Year – Optional if you have more than 5-10 years of experience
• GPA – Only include if it is 3.5 or higher and you graduated within the past 2-3 years
• Relevant Coursework – Recommended for students and recent graduates

How to List Your Education 

Example for an Experienced Professional

Master of Business Administration (MBA) | University of Texas, Austin

Example for a Recent Graduate

Bachelor of Science in Computer Science | Stanford University | 2023

Relevant Coursework: Machine Learning, Data Structures, Web Development

For instance:

Diploma in Web Development | Princeton University | 2022

Honors: Summa Cum Laude, Dean’s List

Pro Tip: If you are switching careers, highlight new coursework, certifications, or bootcamps that align with your target industry.

Suggested Reads: How to List Education on a Resume with examples

Projects & Freelance Work: Underrated Resume Boosters

Not all experience comes from full-time jobs. Independent projects, freelance work, and side gigs can demonstrate valuable skills and expertise. Listing these can strengthen your resume, especially if you are building experience in a new field.

Who Should Include Projects on a Resume?

This section is particularly useful for:

• Freelancers & Contractors – Those who have worked on multiple client projects.
• Career Changers – Professionals gaining experience in a different industry.
• Students & Recent Graduates – Individuals with school, research, or personal projects.

And lastly, for IT professionals as well if they are part of any research, they can also add their work in projects section.

How to List Projects Effectively?

Each project entry should include:

• Project Name – A short and clear title.
• Your Role – What was your contribution?
• Skills Used & Outcome – Show how it added value.

Example of a Project Entry

Developed AI Chatbot for E-Commerce Website | 2023

• Designed and deployed a chatbot to automate customer service, reducing response times by 40%.
• Technologies Used: Python, TensorFlow, NLP (Natural Language Processing).

How to List Freelance Work

If you have extensive freelance experience, create a separate section called “Freelance Experience.” This helps showcase your skills and makes your resume easier to scan.

Volunteer Experience: Showcasing Leadership & Initiative

Volunteer work is often overlooked on resumes, yet it can highlight leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving skills. It is especially valuable if you:

• Have employment gaps and want to show productivity.
• Is a student or recent graduate looking to gain experience.
• Want to show your commitment to important causes.

How to Format the Volunteer Section

Each entry should include:

• Organization Name | Your Role | Dates of Involvement
• Key responsibility #1
• Key responsibility #2 (mentioning any skills used)
• Impact or achievement

Example of a Volunteer Entry

Volunteer Fundraiser | American Cancer Society | 2021-Present

• Organized charity events, raising over $50,000 for cancer research.
• Coordinated teams of 20+ volunteers, improving event efficiency.

Even though volunteer work is unpaid, it demonstrates initiative, leadership, and a commitment to meaningful contributions. It can also fill employment gaps and strengthen your resume.

Languages: When & How to List Them

Being multilingual is a valuable skill, especially in customer service, international business, and technology fields. Listing languages on your resume can set you apart from other candidates, particularly if the job requires communication with diverse teams or clients.

Proper Formatting for Language Proficiency

Use clear labels to indicate your level of proficiency:

• Fluent – Full professional proficiency.
• Advanced/Proficient – Comfortable using the language in professional settings.
• Intermediate – Conversational but not fluent.
• Basic – Limited working knowledge.

Example of How to List Languages on a Resume

• English – Native
• Spanish – Fluent
• French – Intermediate

Including language skills can give you an edge, especially in roles where bilingual or multilingual abilities are an advantage.

Also Get Insights From: How to Write an Effective Resume Summary + Examples

Awards, Honors, & Publications: Stand Out from the Crowd

If you have notable achievements, industry recognition, or academic honors, include them on your resume. Awards and publications highlight your excellence and set you apart from other candidates.

Why Awards & Honors Matter on a Resume

Recruiters look for proof of your accomplishments. Whether you have received an industry award, company recognition, or competition ranking, listing awards can:

• Demonstrate high performance and excellence.
• Show that you are recognized by experts in your field.
• Reinforce your hard work, leadership, and contributions.

Types of Awards to Include:

There are different types of awards based on a variety of industries, such as:

• Professional Awards – “Top Sales Performer,” “Employee of the Month.”
• Industry Recognition – “Best UX Designer Award,” “Forbes 30 Under 30.”
• Academic Honors – “Summa Cum Laude,” “Dean’s List.”
• Competition Awards – “Hackathon Winner,” “National Debate Champion.”

How to List Awards & Honors on a Resume?

To list awards and honors on a resume, you should use this format for clarity:

Award Title | Organization | Year

• Brief description of the achievement or selection criteria.

Examples:

Top Sales Performer | XYZ Corporation | 2022

• Achieved 150% of annual sales quota, outperforming all team members.

Best UX Designer Award | Google Design Challenge | 2021

• Designed a new user interface for a mobile app, improving user engagement by 45%.

Hackathon Winner | Microsoft AI Challenge | 2023

• Developed a chatbot prototype that reduced response times by 50% for customer service.

Pro Tip: If you have multiple awards, create a separate “Awards & Honors” section instead of including them under work experience. This makes them easier to find and adds more impact to your resume.

Hobbies & Interests: When It’s Relevant

Hobbies and interests can showcase your personality and soft skills, but only if they add value to your resume. Including them can make your resume more engaging, but only when relevant to the job or company culture.

When to Include Hobbies

List hobbies on your resume if:

• They demonstrate transferable skills like leadership, creativity, or discipline.
• You have limited work experience and want to highlight other strengths.
• The company values personal interests (e.g., creative fields, startups, or companies like Google).

When to Skip Hobbies

Leave hobbies out from your resume if:

• Your resume is already full of professional experience.
• The hobbies don’t relate to the job or add any value.

They are too generic or personal (e.g., “watching TV”).

Good Hobbies to Include (With Skills They Showcase)

• Marathon Running – Shows discipline, endurance, and goal-setting.
• Blogging About Tech – Demonstrates writing skills and industry knowledge.
• Volunteering at Animal Shelters – Highlights compassion, teamwork, and leadership.
• Chess or Strategic Games – Shows analytical thinking and problem-solving.
• Photography & Graphic Design – Demonstrates creativity and attention to detail.

Hobbies You Should Avoid Listing

• Watching Netflix – Unrelated to professional skills.
• Playing Video Games – Unless it relates to gaming, UX, or programming.
• Hanging Out with Friends – Too vague and does not add value.

Pro Tip: If your hobby is directly related to the job, list it in the skills or work experience section instead for better impact.

References: Should You Include Them?

Do You Need to Include References on a Resume? 

No! You don’t need to write “References Available Upon Request.”

Why?

• Recruiters already assume you have references.
• It takes up valuable space on your resume.
• Many companies request references later in the hiring process.

What to Do Instead?

Prepare a Separate Reference List with:

• Reference Name
• Job Title & Company
• Professional Relationship (e.g., “Former Manager at ABC Corp.”)
• Email & Phone Number

Who Should You Use as a Reference?

• Former Managers or Supervisors – Best option.
• Colleagues or Team Leaders – If they worked closely with you.
• Professors or Mentors – If you’re a recent graduate.

Tip: Never use family or personal friends as references.

Read More: Resume Layout: Examples and Best How-To Tips

Challenging Resume Pitfalls to Avoid

Even the most qualified candidates can lose job opportunities due to resume mistakes.

Top Resume Mistakes That Get You Rejected

• Spelling & Grammar Errors – One typo can cost you an interview! Use Grammarly or Hemingway Editor.
• Generic Resumes – Recruiters hate “one-size-fits-all” resumes. Tailor it to each job.
• Overloading with Too Much Information – Keep it clear and concise. Stick to 1-2 pages max.
• Bad Formatting – Avoid fancy fonts, excessive colors, or complex layouts.

How to Fix These Mistakes

• Proofread at least twice before submitting.
• Use a clean, ATS-friendly format (Calibri, Arial, or Times New Roman).
• Customize each resume for the job description.

How to Optimize for ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems)

Over 90% of Fortune 500 companies use ATS software to filter resumes. If your resume isn’t optimized, it may never reach a recruiter. Studies showed that nearly 75% of qualified applicants get rejected by applicant tracking systems due to formatting issues or missing keywords, despite being a strong fit. Here’s how you can make your resume ATS-friendly:

How to Make Your Resume ATS-Friendly

• Use Keywords – Mirror the job description (e.g., “Project Management” instead of “Handled Projects”).
• Avoid Graphics & Fancy Fonts – ATS can’t read images or non-standard fonts.
• Submit in Word or PDF Format – Unless stated otherwise.

Example of ATS Optimization:

Instead of writing “Handled digital marketing campaigns,” write “Managed multi-channel digital marketing campaigns, increasing engagement by 40%.”

Pro Tip: Run your resume through Jump Resume Builder to ensure it’s ATS-friendly.

Conclusion

Your resume is more than a summary—it’s your first chance to make a strong impression. It should clearly show your skills, experience, and what you bring to the table, all in a clean and professional layout. Every section needs to serve a purpose and match the job you’re targeting.

Before you hit send, review your resume carefully. Keep it short, check for errors, and make sure it’s easy to read for both recruiters and ATS systems. A well-prepared resume can be the key to landing your next opportunity. Make sure every part of your resume serves a purpose—leave out anything that doesn’t support your goal. Finally, double-check your contact information to ensure employers can reach you easily.

Get Expert Help with Your Resume

Building a strong resume takes strategy and attention to detail, but you don’t have to do it alone.  Now you can build your resume with our Jump Resume Builder that offers professional templates, AI-powered optimization, and expert formatting tools to help you create a resume that stands out.

Whether you are starting your career, changing industries, or aiming for a higher position, having a polished, ATS-friendly resume increases your chances of landing interviews.

Don’t let an outdated resume hold you back. Start creating your perfect resume today with Jump Resume Builder!