Everything you need to know about including your contact information section, name, and social networks to a resume

If you want to compel employers with your abilities, knowledge, and experience, your resume is the most powerful tool for that. When skimming through, the first thing recruiters will notice is usually your contact information section. Don’t underestimate its power!

First things first! Your contact section is not an exception. It is crucial to add all your contact data at the top of your CV. Without it, even though they might be interested, recruiters can't reach you.

Effective resumes include all relevant information in a concise and captivating manner. The majority of people are unaware of how significant it is to add these simple details. Yet, 52 percent of employers might reject a candidate if they forgot to include contact information on a resume. 

It is why the contact section is one of the fundamental elements of your CV, and it should be well-organized, visible, up-to-date, and complete. Perhaps you already know that even if your skills and education are impressionable, a lack of your e-mail address will make recruiters disregard your resume. But you might still wonder what the contact information section consists of and whether you should include your phone number and LinkedIn profile.

It is why we want to clear out your doubts and help you write the contact section right, and leave recruiters in awe of your attention to detail. Here is everything you need to know!

What is contact information section

While most people know what the contact information section represents, it’s safer to cover the basics and ensure you got this right. This category should allow recruiters to reach out to you, have a brief phone interview, or invite you to schedule a meeting. Hence, the contact information section consists of your name, phone number, and email address.

If you’re not enthusiastic about social media and only have a LinkedIn profile and personal (and job role-relevant website), you can also include that information in this section. Otherwise, you’d create a separate category for online networks with only one profile, which would take unnecessary space.

Some years ago, recruiters would also expect to see your full address. Nowadays, it’s preferable to exclude it because other contact information is enough for them to get in touch with you. Thus, many applicant tracking systems will reject CVs that contain full address due to being a potential violation of data security laws and regulations.

Your full address might also put you at risk of discrimination. It is illegal, but it’s not unlikely that some recruiters will make assumptions about your lifestyle and personal characteristics according to, for example, your neighborhood. Besides, others might weed you out if you live too far from the company or in another part of the country because they’re not eager to pay relocation costs.

It is safer to include your city, state, and zip code only to avoid automatic rejection. Your full address is not necessary for this stage of recruitment anyway. If recruiters need that data, they will timely let you know and explain why.

Here is what your contact information should cover.

First and last name

Add your first and last name at the top of the resume, keeping your middle name optional. A CV is not a legal document, which allows you to include your preferred name at work. Ensure you write the same name on your cover letter and any additional documents as it shows your consistency.

If your name is quite common, such as Marry Smith, it’s recommendable to add your middle name to help recruiters tell you apart from other job applicants. Also, avoid nicknames, especially the inappropriate ones, such as Kitty or Hankey. Only in cases if you use the shortened name (e.g., Annie, John), it’s okay to include it.

Here are examples of how you can write your full name.

You should consider including credentials if you have them and find them significant for the desired job position. That can increase your odds, but don’t forget to elaborate on the details in an appropriate section.

If you’re unsure about the order of credentials, here are examples.

Mailing address

As mentioned before, it’s not usual anymore to include your physical mailing address. If it’s a requirement or the job position comes with a relocation package or commuting, it’s wiser to add it.

List your permanent address. If you are a student, you can include your school place of residence too. Don’t forget to add all relevant details, such as street and apartment number. But if you’re concerned about your privacy or potential discrimination, you’re allowed to write the city and state only.

Email address

If you are employed but considering a new job role or company, make sure you avoid including your (old) work email. Either use your personal email or create a new one you will use for job searching. 

It is essential to make that e-address sound professional. Preferably sign up for a Gmail account and include your name and specialty in your new email. For example, dr.marie.harris@email.com or jonathan.smith@email.com. Thus, check your inbox regularly to ensure you see a critical message from a recruiter. 

Many people add their personal email address to a resume, but the name is often inappropriate. That might result in their resume ending up in the trash folder as 46 percent of recruiters wouldn’t consider a candidate with an unprofessional email address. So, including an email, such as slimmyjimmy96@email.com, will probably have the same effect as not adding any e-address at all. 

Phone number

Avoid including your work phone number because you probably want to keep your job pursuit confidential. That is why you should always include your personal cell number or the one you know people can use to reach you out at any moment. It is how you will ensure you answer crucial calls and control whether you receive voicemail.

Set your voicemail and include your name to ensure a recruiter or employer knows they contacted the right person. When writing a phone number to your resume, you can add a label in front to make it more comprehensive. For example, you can write "Phone: ", "M:". "C: ", or "Ph: " if you’re using a cell phone.

How to format your contact information section

The contact information section should be at the top of your resume, making it visible and easy to find. Your name should be the most distinguishable element, which you can achieve by choosing a larger font and using bolding. It is your choice whether you will center the contact information or use left-justified.

However, differentiate it from the next section by leaving a space in between.

Here’s how your contact information section should look.

When you finish, make sure to proofread your contact information section because one small typo in your email address or phone number can cost you an interview.

How to include your social media profiles to a resume

Whether you like it or not, 70 percent of recruiters use social media to screen candidates during the recruitment process. They will probably look up your online profiles anyway. So, consider creating a separate section for these networks.

If you only have one or two profiles (at least those that recruiters can find), include them in the contact information section. But if you have more, especially relevant for the job role you are applying for, make a category only for social media.

The name of this section can be as simple as Social Media, or if you’re creative, you can come up with something more unique than humans, and applicant tracking systems can understand with ease. Hence, list each profile in a way that’s easy to understand and find.

For example, do it like this.

Being a professional network, LinkedIn is the most significant. Make sure to personalize your URL and keep it short and neat. Before listing any of your social media handles, check if the links work.

Also, whatever you do, don’t include profiles with inappropriate content that might jeopardize your odds of getting invited to an interview. Keep a professional online presence, delete controversial photos or posts, and consider using a pseudonym for your private social media channels if you don’t want recruiters to find you.