10 Key Things on What to Include in a Resume for 2025

Your resume is your professional handshake. It tells the story of your skills and career journey. In a tough job market, a great resume gets you an interview. Recruiters spend only a few seconds on each one. Every part of your resume must count.

Knowing what to include in a resume can be hard. Do you need an objective? Should you list every old job? How do you show off your skills? A strong resume is clear and tailored to the job you want. It must pass through computer systems called Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS). It also needs to grab a human reader's attention. This means choosing the right sections and writing strong content.

This guide is a checklist of 10 key sections for a powerful resume. We will explain each part. We will give you tips and examples to show your skills well. From contact details to your projects, you will learn how to structure your resume for the best results. Following this guide will help you create a resume that gets your application noticed. Let's build a resume that opens doors.

1. Contact Information

The contact information section is the first thing a recruiter sees. It is how they will contact you. If it is wrong or hard to find, you could lose an opportunity. Think of it as the header for your personal brand. This section sits at the very top of your resume. It must be easy to see and use.

Your contact information must be clear and professional. It is a basic part of what to include in a resume. Without it, your great skills are useless. A good contact section makes it easy for an employer to call you.

What to Include

Your goal is to give key contact details without extra clutter. Stick to the needed information to look polished and reachable.

• Full Name: Use your professional name. Make it the same on platforms like LinkedIn.
• Phone Number: List one reliable number, usually your cell phone.
• Email Address: Use a professional email, like firstname.lastname@email.com.
• Location: City and State are enough. You do not need your full street address.
• Professional Profile Links: Include your LinkedIn URL. For tech or design jobs, add links to your GitHub or online portfolio. Make sure these profiles are up to date.

Actionable Tips for a Flawless Contact Section

A small mistake here can cause big problems. Double-check every detail. For a perfect format, use a professional tool like GainRep's resume builder.

Pro Tip: Customize your LinkedIn URL. Make it clean, like linkedin.com/in/yourname, not the default one with random numbers. This shows you pay attention to detail.

Here are a few best practices to follow:

• Voicemail Matters: Make sure your voicemail greeting is professional. It should state your name clearly.
• Check Your Links: Click every link you include. Make sure it goes to the correct, active page.
• Skip Personal Details: Do not include personal info like your birth date, marital status, or personal social media links.

2. Professional Summary or Objective

Your professional summary or objective is your elevator pitch. It is a short, 2-4 line statement at the top of your resume. It tells a hiring manager who you are and why you fit the job. This section acts as a hook. It makes recruiters want to read more.

This is a key part of what to include in a resume. It frames your whole application. A good summary highlights your best skills and achievements. A focused objective shows your career goals. It is your first chance to make a strong impression.

What to Include

Choose a summary or an objective based on your experience. A professional summary is for people with work history. An objective is better for new graduates or career changers.

• For a Professional Summary: Focus on your experience and results. Combine your top skills with a big, measurable achievement.
  • Example 1: Results-driven Marketing Manager with 8+ years of experience. Increased revenue by 40% through strategic campaigns. Expert in data analytics and team leadership.
  • Example 2: Dynamic Full-Stack Developer skilled in React and Python. Delivered 15+ web applications used by over 100,000 users. Passionate about creating scalable software.
• For a Resume Objective: Focus on your skills and goals. State the job you want and how you can help the company.
  • Example: Motivated Computer Science graduate seeking a Junior Software Engineer role. Eager to use Java and C++ skills to develop innovative solutions and contribute to a collaborative team.

Actionable Tips for a Powerful Opening Statement

A generic summary will be ignored. Tailor this section for each job application. For a perfectly formatted and impactful summary, try using a tool like GainRep's resume builder.

Pro Tip: Read the job description. Find 2-3 key requirements or keywords. Use them in your summary to pass automated screenings and get a manager's attention.

Here are a few best practices to follow:

• Lead with Your Value: Start with your professional title and years of experience. This builds credibility fast.
• Quantify Achievements: Use numbers and metrics. For example, "increased sales by 15%" or "managed a team of 10." This gives proof of your impact.
• Avoid Clichés: Skip overused phrases like "hard-working" or "team player." Show these qualities through your accomplishments instead.

3. Work Experience

The work experience section is the heart of your resume. It is where you prove your value. You detail your job history, tasks, and achievements. This section shows a hiring manager you have the right background. It shows you made a real impact in past roles.

This is the most checked part of what to include in a resume. It gives solid proof of your skills. A strong work experience section tells a story of your professional growth. It makes it clear why you are the best person for the job.

What to Include

Your goal is to show your results, not just list jobs. Present your history in reverse chronological order. Start with your most recent job.

• Job Title, Company, Location, and Dates: List your official title, the company's name, its location, and your start and end dates.
• Accomplishment-Driven Bullet Points: For each job, use 4-6 bullet points. Describe your key achievements. Focus on what you accomplished, not just your duties.
• Quantifiable Results: Use numbers to support your claims. Metrics like percentages, dollar amounts, and time saved provide clear proof of your impact. For example:
  • Senior Product Manager | TechCorp Inc. | San Francisco, CA | Jan 2020 – Present
    • Led a team of 12 to deliver 5 major product releases, achieving 95% on-time delivery.
    • Increased user engagement by 68% using data-driven feature planning.
    • Reduced customer churn by 23%, saving the company $2.1M annually.

Actionable Tips for a Powerful Work Experience Section

Every bullet point is a chance to impress. Tailor this section for each job application. Align your achievements with what the employer needs. For help writing impactful descriptions, use the tools at GainRep's resume builder.

Pro Tip: Start each bullet point with a strong action verb. Use words like "Orchestrated," "Engineered," "Revitalized," or "Negotiated." This makes your story more dynamic and impressive.

Follow these best practices to make your experience stand out:

• Focus on Impact: Instead of listing duties, explain the results of your work. How did you help the company?
• Tailor to the Job: Use language and keywords from the job description. This shows you are a perfect match.
• Prioritize Relevance: Give more space to your most recent and relevant jobs. You can summarize older, less relevant experience.

4. Education

Your education section shows your academic background. Recruiters use it to check your basic knowledge and training. This section is very important for recent graduates. It is also key for people in academic or research fields. It is a standard part of all professional resumes.

The education section is a required part of what to include in a resume. It builds credibility. It shows you have the formal training needed for certain roles. A well-organized education section clearly presents your academic achievements.

What to Include

The key is to present your academic history clearly. Depending on your career stage, you will highlight different things.

• Degree and Institution: State the full name of your degree. For example, "Bachelor of Science in Computer Science." Name the university you attended.
• Graduation Date: Include the month and year you graduated. If you are still in school, list your expected graduation date.
• Location: Add the city and state of the school.
• Honors and Awards: Mention major academic achievements. Include things like Magna Cum Laude or Dean's List.
• Relevant Coursework: This is useful for students or career changers. It highlights specific knowledge when you have limited work experience.

Actionable Tips for a Powerful Education Section

Tailor this section to your experience level. A seasoned professional's education section looks different from a recent graduate's. To ensure this section is formatted perfectly, consider using a professional tool like GainRep's resume builder.

Pro Tip: If you are a recent graduate with a high GPA (3.5 or above), include it. If you graduated more than five years ago, it is best to leave it off.

Here are a few best practices to follow:

• Reverse Chronological Order: Always list your most recent degree first.
• Omit High School: If you have a college degree, do not include your high school diploma.
• Handle Incomplete Degrees: If you attended college but did not graduate, you can still list the school. Note "Coursework Completed" in a relevant field.
• Add Certifications: Include any professional certifications that are relevant to your industry. You can place them here or in a separate section.

5. Skills

The skills section is a quick snapshot of what you can do. Recruiters and Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) use it to match your skills to the job. A good skills section acts as a keyword-rich summary. It can help you get to the next stage. Think of it as a list of your professional tools.

This part of what to include in a resume is key for both computers and people. It gives immediate proof that you have the needed hard and soft skills. A strong skills section can grab a hiring manager's attention. It validates the experience you listed.

What to Include

Your goal is to list your most relevant skills. You should blend technical skills with people skills. Organize this section for clarity and impact. Focus on what the employer wants.

• Hard Skills: These are teachable and role-specific abilities. Group them into categories like "Programming Languages" or "Tools & Platforms." For example:
  • Technical Skills: Python, AWS, Docker, Git, RESTful APIs
  • Software: Salesforce, HubSpot, Tableau, Adobe Creative Suite
  • Languages: Spanish (Fluent), Mandarin (Conversational)
• Soft Skills: These are personal traits that affect how you work with others. Examples include:
  • Core Competencies: Agile Project Management, Leadership, Public Speaking, Conflict Resolution, Team Collaboration

Actionable Tips for a Powerful Skills Section

Do not list every skill you have. Be strategic. Tailor this section for each application. Precision and relevance are key to passing the first screen.

Pro Tip: Do not just list "Microsoft Office." Be specific. For example, write "Advanced Excel (Pivot Tables, VLOOKUP, Macros)." This shows your real expertise and adds valuable keywords.

Here are a few best practices to follow:

• Mirror the Job Description: Find the top 5-10 skills mentioned in the job posting. Feature them in your skills section.
• Categorize for Clarity: If you have many skills, group them. Use subheadings like "Technical Skills" or "Marketing Tools" to make it easy to read.
• Be Honest: Only include skills you can confidently talk about in an interview. Do not exaggerate your abilities.

6. Certifications and Licenses

Certifications and licenses are formal credentials. They confirm your skills and knowledge in a specific area. They act as proof of your expertise. They show recruiters you meet industry standards. Including this section shows you are committed to professional growth. It can be a requirement for some jobs.

For many jobs, licenses are required. This includes nursing, finance, and IT. In other fields, certifications give you a competitive edge. What to include in a resume is more than just your job history. This section adds credibility that experience alone may not show.

What to Include

Your goal is to present your credentials clearly. Make it easy for a recruiter to check your qualifications. Only list current, relevant certifications that add value.

• Certification/License Name: State the full, official name of the credential (e.g., "Project Management Professional").
• Issuing Organization: Name the group that awarded it (e.g., "Project Management Institute").
• Dates: Include the issue date. If it expires, add the expiration date.
• Credential ID (Optional): If you have one, include a license or certification number for easy checking.

Examples:

• Project Management Professional (PMP) | PMI | Issued: March 2021 | Expires: March 2024
• AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate | Amazon Web Services | Issued: Jan 2022
• Certified Financial Planner (CFP) | CFP Board | Issued: Sep 2019 | Credential ID: CFP123456

Actionable Tips for an Impactful Certifications Section

A well-organized certifications section can set you apart. It should be concise and easy to read. To format this section correctly, consider using a tool like GainRep's resume builder for a polished look.

Pro Tip: If a certification is a key requirement in the job description, list it at the top. You could even mention it in your resume summary so it gets seen right away.

Here are a few best practices to follow:

• Prioritize Relevance: List the most important or job-relevant certifications first.
• Handle In-Progress Credentials: You can list certifications you are working on. Write "In Progress" and add the expected completion date.
• Create a Dedicated Section: If you have three or more certifications, make a separate "Licenses & Certifications" section. If you only have one or two, you can list them under "Education" or "Skills."
• Keep It Current: Remove expired or irrelevant certifications that do not match your current career goals.

7. Projects and Portfolio

A "Projects and Portfolio" section shows real proof of your skills. Your experience section tells recruiters what you did. This section shows them. It is very powerful for jobs in tech, design, and marketing. A portfolio of your work says a lot about your abilities.

For new graduates or career changers, this section is a great way to show practical skills. This is a crucial part of what to include in a resume. It offers real proof of your abilities. This makes your application stronger and more memorable.

What to Include

Your goal is to show your best work that matches the job you want. Pick projects that highlight your most relevant skills and successes.

• Project Title: Use a clear, descriptive title for each project.
• Technologies & Tools: List the key technologies or software you used (e.g., Python, AWS, Figma, SEO).
• Your Role & Contribution: Briefly explain your specific role, especially on a team project.
• Quantifiable Impact: Describe the outcome using numbers. Did you increase efficiency or grow an audience?
• Links: Provide a direct link to your live project, GitHub page, or online portfolio.

Actionable Tips for a Powerful Projects Section

A well-written project entry can be very persuasive. Make each entry short but powerful. For a professional layout, use a tool like GainRep's resume builder to organize this section well.

Pro Tip: For projects with private information, describe the project's goal and your role without revealing secrets. You can state "Live demo available upon request" to show you can provide more details later.

Here are a few best practices to follow:

• Curate Relentlessly: Choose only 2-4 of your most relevant and impressive projects. Quality is better than quantity.
• Quantify Everything Possible: Use metrics like user growth or time saved to show your impact.
• Test Your Links: Double-check that all links to your portfolio or GitHub are working and professional.
• Focus on Results: Describe the problem you solved and the positive result you achieved.

8. Volunteer Experience and Community Involvement

Volunteer experience shows your values and skills outside of a job. It shows commitment and passion. These are attractive qualities to employers. This section can help you stand out. It is especially useful if the work aligns with the company's mission. It makes your application more human.

Including volunteer work is a smart part of what to include in a resume. It can fill employment gaps and show transferable skills. An employer sees not just what you were paid for, but what you choose to do. This gives a unique look into your motivations.

What to Include

Your goal is to present unpaid work professionally, just like paid work. Focus on roles that show relevant skills or a strong work ethic.

• Role and Organization: Clearly state your title (e.g., Board Member, Volunteer) and the organization's name.
• Dates of Involvement: Include the timeframe to show how long you were committed.
• Key Responsibilities and Achievements: Use action verbs to describe what you did. Use numbers to show your impact when possible.
• Community Leadership: Mention any leadership roles in community groups or events. This highlights skills like management and coordination.

Actionable Tips for a Powerful Volunteer Section

A good volunteer section can be a great addition to your resume. Treat these experiences like your professional jobs. For a polished look, a tool like GainRep's resume builder can help you format this section well.

Pro Tip: If your volunteer experience is very relevant to the job, consider titling the section "Relevant Experience." You can mix it with your professional work history to show its importance.

Here are a few best practices to follow:

• Quantify Your Impact: Use numbers to show what you did. Mention funds raised, people helped, or events organized.
• Format Like a Job: Use the same structure and action-focused bullet points as your "Work Experience" section.
• Stay Relevant: Only include recent or very significant roles. Avoid listing involvement that could be controversial unless it is directly relevant to the employer.
• Connect to Your Goals: If the connection is not clear, briefly explain in a cover letter how your volunteer work prepared you for the role.

9. Awards, Recognition, and Publications

This section is your professional trophy case. It provides outside proof of your skills and contributions. Including awards, recognition, and publications shows that your work is valued by your industry. This can set you apart from other qualified candidates.

Think of this as external proof of your excellence. Your experience section shows what you did. This part proves you did it very well. It is a powerful element of what to include in a resume. It adds credibility that self-described skills cannot. This section is very important for roles that require expert knowledge.

What to Include

Your goal is to show high-impact achievements that build your authority. Focus on quality over quantity to make a strong impression.

• Awards & Recognition: List formal awards that highlight your performance. Include the award title, the organization that gave it, and the year.
• Publications: Include articles, research papers, or books you have written. Provide the title, the publication name, and the date.
• Speaking Engagements: Mention conferences or panels where you were a speaker. List the event title, your role, and the year.
• Patents & Certifications: Highly prestigious certifications or patents can be included here to show your expertise.

Actionable Tips for a Standout Awards Section

A well-chosen list of achievements can improve your whole resume. To present this information well, use a professional tool like GainRep's resume builder to ensure clean formatting.

Pro Tip: For online articles or recorded talks, include a hyperlink. This lets recruiters see your work directly. It offers real proof of your skills.

Here are a few best practices to follow:

• Prioritize Relevance: Feature awards and publications most related to the job you want at the top of the list.
• Quantify Impact: Add context when you can. For a speaking gig, mention the audience size ("Keynote Speaker at Tech Summit, 2,000+ attendees").
• Use a Clear Format: List each achievement on a new line. For example:
  • 'Top 40 Under 40' Technology Leaders | Business Journal | 2023
  • Employee of the Year | TechCorp Inc. | 2021
  • Keynote Speaker: 'The Future of AI' | Global Tech Conference | 2022
• Be Selective: Avoid listing minor internal awards or publications unless they are very relevant to the job.

10. Languages and International Experience

Language skills and international experience can set you apart. This section shows you can communicate across cultures. It tells a recruiter you have a global mindset. This is a valuable asset for companies with international clients. Including this information highlights your cross-cultural skills. This is a key part of what to include in a resume for many modern jobs.

Showing these skills clearly demonstrates your adaptability. It shows you can contribute to a diverse team. An effective Languages and International Experience section can open doors to new roles. It is a smart addition that adds a unique quality to your profile.

What to Include

Your goal is to clearly and honestly state your skill levels and global experience. Vague claims are not as good as specific, well-defined skills.

• Language Proficiency: List each language you speak. Use a standard proficiency scale like Native/Fluent, Professional Working Proficiency, or Elementary.
• Certifications: If you have official language certifications like TOEFL, include them.
• Years of Experience: Adding the number of years you have used a language professionally gives useful context.
• International Experience: Briefly mention time spent living, working, or studying abroad. This shows real-world language use. For example: Lived and worked in Madrid, Spain (2015-2018), managing regional sales.

Actionable Tips for a Powerful Languages Section

Accuracy is very important. Recruiters may test your language skills in an interview. Be honest about your abilities to build trust.

Pro Tip: If you are multilingual, create a separate section for languages. If you only speak one or two other languages, you can put them in your "Skills" section to save space.

Here are a few best practices to follow:

• Be Honest: Never overstate your proficiency. Listing "Elementary" is fine and shows honesty.
• Prioritize Relevance: If a job posting mentions a specific language, list it first.
• Quantify When Possible: Saying you "managed a team of 5 in German-speaking Austria" is better than just listing "German."
• Contextualize Experience: Connect your international experience to professional skills, like cross-cultural negotiation.

10-Section Resume Content Comparison

Section	Implementation Complexity 🔄	Resource Requirements ⚡	Expected Outcomes 📊	Ideal Use Cases 💡	Key Advantages ⭐
Contact Information	Low 🔄	Minimal ⚡	High contactability, quick recruiter access ⭐⭐⭐⭐	All resumes; required for outreach 💡	Ensures recruiter contact; strong first impression ⭐
Professional Summary or Objective	Moderate 🔄🔄	Low ⚡	Improves screening and ATS match when tailored ⭐⭐⭐⭐	Mid-career or targeted applications; recent grads with objective 💡	Clarifies value proposition; differentiates candidate ⭐
Work Experience	High 🔄🔄🔄	Moderate ⚡⚡	Primary driver of hiring decisions; shows impact ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	Experienced hires; roles requiring proven results 💡	Demonstrates achievements, progression, and fit ⭐
Education	Low 🔄	Low ⚡	Establishes baseline qualifications; variable weight ⭐⭐⭐	Recent graduates; credential-required industries 💡	Validates formal training and academic honors ⭐
Skills	Low–Moderate 🔄🔄	Low ⚡	Strong ATS and recruiter signal when targeted ⭐⭐⭐⭐	Technical roles; keyword matching; quick screening 💡	Highlights competencies and tooling knowledge ⭐
Certifications and Licenses	Low 🔄	Moderate (cost/time) ⚡⚡	Credibility boost; often required in regulated fields ⭐⭐⭐⭐	Healthcare, finance, IT, regulated professions 💡	Verifies specialized expertise and compliance ⭐
Projects and Portfolio	Moderate–High 🔄🔄🔄	Moderate (maintenance, links) ⚡⚡	High evidence of capability for creative/technical roles ⭐⭐⭐⭐	Designers, developers, product roles needing proof of work 💡	Provides tangible examples and measurable impact ⭐
Volunteer Experience & Community Involvement	Low 🔄	Low ⚡	Moderate—shows values, leadership, gap-filling ⭐⭐⭐	Nonprofits, values-driven orgs, employment gaps 💡	Demonstrates initiative, leadership, and cultural fit ⭐
Awards, Recognition & Publications	Low 🔄	Low ⚡	Moderate–High depending on prestige; builds authority ⭐⭐⭐⭐	Thought-leader roles, academia, senior positions 💡	Signals industry recognition and expertise ⭐
Languages & International Experience	Low–Moderate 🔄🔄	Low–Moderate ⚡⚡	High for global roles; enhances adaptability ⭐⭐⭐⭐	International companies, multilingual customer-facing roles 💡	Shows cultural competency and broader marketability ⭐

Putting It All Together for Your Next Opportunity

Making a powerful resume is like building a case for yourself. Each section is a piece of evidence. It proves you are the right person for the job. This guide gave you a full checklist. It explained exactly what to include in a resume to make your case strong.

Creating a great resume is about strategic storytelling. Your resume is a marketing tool, not just a history of your jobs. Every bullet point and skill should be chosen to match the job you want.

Key Takeaways for a Winning Resume

Mastering these ideas will improve your resume and your results.

• Tailoring is Non-Negotiable: Always customize your resume for each job. A generic resume gets ignored. Read the job description. Find the key requirements and keywords. Edit your resume to match that language.
• Quantify Everything Possible: Numbers are more powerful than words. Instead of saying you "managed social media," say you "Grew social media engagement by 45% over six months." Measurable results provide proof of your value.
• Action Verbs Are Your Best Friend: Start every bullet point with a strong action verb. Words like "Orchestrated," "Engineered," and "Maximized" show you are proactive and accomplished.
• Balance Is Key: Your resume should be complete but not crowded. Include key sections like contact info, summary, experience, education, and skills. Then, use optional sections like projects or volunteer work to show your full capabilities.

Your Actionable Next Steps

Knowing what to include in a resume is the first step. Now it is time to take action.

1. Conduct a Resume Audit: Review your current resume using this article as a checklist. Are there gaps? Is your summary strong? Have you used numbers to show your impact?
2. Create a Master Resume: Make one long document with every job, project, and skill. This is your private resource. You can pull from it to create tailored resumes for specific jobs.
3. Target and Tailor: Find a job posting you like. Highlight the key skills and tasks. Create a new version of your resume just for this role. Make sure it speaks directly to the employer's needs.
4. Proofread and Polish: Read your resume out loud to find awkward sentences. Use a grammar checker to fix typos. Ask a trusted friend to review it for clarity and impact.

Building a standout resume is an investment in your future. It is the key that unlocks interviews and new career opportunities. The effort you put in now will help you advance in your career.

After your resume is ready, the application process can be hard. If you want professional guidance, consider using a resume builder. GainRep offers expertly designed templates to help you. You can build your new resume here: https://www.gainrep.com/resumes.

Once your resume is complete, the job search begins. To make this process easier, GainRep’s AI Auto-Apply tool can find jobs and submit applications for you. This can save you hours and increase your interview chances. Discover how to automate your job search here: https://www.gainrep.com/ai-auto-apply.

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Ready to transform your resume from a simple list into a powerful career tool? Let Gainrep provide the platform and tools you need to build a document that truly represents your skills and ambitions. Get started today at Gainrep and take the next step toward landing your dream job.