Recruiters and hiring managers generally spend less than 10 seconds looking over your resume for the first time, which means clear organization and presentation of information are key. This guide explains how to organize your resume sections and provides a list of the five common sections included in a resume.
Why Resume Section Order Matters
Organizing your resume sections affects everything from readability and the hiring manager’s first impression of your application to compatibility with applicant tracking systems (ATS). When deciding how to organize resume sections, consider your career level and relevant experience, industry norms, and any specific job application requirements.
If you’re applying for a job that requires a specific degree, specific coursework, or multiple certifications, moving the education section up when you write your resume can help. However, prioritizing skills and accomplishments over your education may make more sense for a skills-based job.
List of 5 Common Sections That Are Included in a Resume
This list of the five common sections of a resume can ensure that you have everything you need for a winning resume.
1. Contact information
The first of the five common sections in a resume is the contact information. Include all your essential contact details at the top in the header. This saves space on the actual page for more important information.
2. Resume summary or objective
Next comes the profile summary or the objective statement. The main difference between the summary section of a resume and the objective section of a resume is that the first summarizes your experience and qualifications. The second explains your career goals and why you’re applying for the opportunity.
3. Work experience section
This section in a resume should present your professional history in reverse chronological order. If you have large career gaps or your most relevant experience isn’t your most recent, consider adding an achievements section that needs to be timeline-based.
4. Skills section
The skills section of a resume should include both technical and soft skills. Using a bulleted list keeps the information easy to skim.
5. Education section
Your resume education section should include any relevant degrees and education required for the position. Recent graduates or entry-level candidates with limited professional experience can add more information to this section, such as relevant coursework and honors, if relevant.
Additional Sections To Consider When Deciding How To Structure a Resume
Some candidates may need additional sections when creating their resumes. Below is an overview of the resume sections you should consider adding.
Certifications and licenses
A resume certification section can be helpful if the position requires a specific industry or license or you’re using a skills-based resume. List certifications under a clear header, and include the awarding organization and expiration date, if applicable.
Volunteer work
It shouldn’t be used in place of work history, but volunteer work can be helpful to include if you’re an entry-level candidate or if your experience was specifically relevant to the role. The volunteer section of your resume should generally follow the work history section.
Projects section
Applicants in some industries can benefit from a project section on their resume. This can include links to written work for a copywriter or a portfolio of projects for a graphic designer. College students applying for an internship may also want to include academic or personal projects.
Publications and awards
Listing publications or accolades in a resume awards section can help you highlight your work outside of specific job duties. This is especially common in academia and for research-oriented roles that may require a CV instead of a resume.
Interests or hobbies
If you have hobbies or personal pursuits directly related to the position, consider including a resume interests section.
How To Structure a Resume Based on Career Level
How to structure a resume for recent graduates or entry-level applicants
Recent graduates, teenagers, and those who don’t have a lot of formal work experience can organize their resumes in a way that emphasizes education, relevant coursework, skills, and projects higher on the resume.
How to structure a resume for mid-career professionals
Mid-career professionals benefit from a resume that emphasizes their work experience and skills. Place the most relevant achievements higher up on the resume, and move the education section to the bottom.
How to structure a resume for senior-level or specialized professionals
Senior-level applicants will likely have extensive work experience, which can take up most of the resume. Ensure that skills and accomplishments that highlight leadership are toward the top.
Well-Organized Resume Examples
Entry-Level Marketing Assistant Resume EXample
Emma Williams
San Francisco, CA 94101 | (555) 555-5555 | [email protected] | [LinkedIn Profile URL]
Resume Summary
Recent college graduate with a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, skilled in social media management, content creation, and digital advertising. Passionate about data-driven marketing strategies and eager to contribute creative ideas to a dynamic marketing team. Looking to leverage strong communication skills and hands-on internship experience to contribute to the success of a growing brand.
Key Skills
- Social media management (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram)
- Content creation and copywriting
- Google Analytics and AdWords
- SEO and SEM optimization
- Market research
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Strong communication and team collaboration
- Time management and organization
Work Experience
Marketing Intern
XYZ Digital Agency, San Francisco, CA | May 2022 – August 2022
- Worked alongside senior marketing staff to assist in managing a client’s social media presence during the summer campaign.
- Responsible for drafting and scheduling social media posts, analyzing engagement data, and supporting content creation efforts.
- Utilized Hootsuite to schedule daily posts, analyzed engagement trends, and suggested content improvements based on performance data.
- Increased social media engagement by 15% and boosted post reach by 10% during the internship period.
Event Planning Assistant
ABC University, San Francisco, CA | September 2021 – May 2022
- Assisted in planning and executing marketing events for student organizations and university-sponsored programs.
- Helped organize and promote events through social media, email campaigns, and flyer distribution.
- Coordinated with vendors, prepared event materials, and managed social media event promotions.
- Contributed to a 20% increase in attendance for events promoted on social media.
Education
Bachelor of Science in Marketing
University of California, San Francisco, CA | Graduated May 2022
Certifications
- Google Analytics Certified
- HubSpot Inbound Marketing Certified
Senior Project Manager Resume Example
David Clark
Los Angeles, CA 90001 | (555) 987-6543 | [email protected] | [LinkedIn Profile URL]
Resume Summary
Senior Project Manager with over 12 years of experience leading cross-functional teams to deliver complex IT projects on time and within budget. Skilled in Agile and Waterfall methodologies, stakeholder management, and strategic planning. Proven track record of driving operational efficiency, managing multimillion-dollar budgets, and building long-term client relationships. Looking to leverage leadership experience to oversee large-scale projects at a forward-thinking tech company.
Key Skills
- Project management (Agile, Scrum, Waterfall)
- Budgeting and resource allocation
- Cross-functional team leadership
- Risk management
- Client relationship management
- Stakeholder communication
- Data-driven decision making
- Jira, MS Project, Trello
- Process improvement and optimization
- Strategic planning and execution
Work Experience
Senior Project Manager
XYZ Tech Solutions, Los Angeles, CA | June 2015 – Present
- Managed multiple large-scale IT projects, overseeing the development and implementation of software solutions for Fortune 500 clients.
- Responsible for managing all project phases, from initial planning to execution and delivery, ensuring alignment with client objectives.
- Led Agile project teams, coordinated cross-departmental collaboration, and implemented new risk management strategies to address project delays.
- Delivered 95% of projects on time, under budget by 10%, and maintained a 98% client satisfaction rate.
Project Manager
ABC Solutions, Los Angeles, CA | August 2010 – May 2015
- Worked alongside senior project managers to oversee a portfolio of 5 client projects, handling the day-to-day management of timelines and budgets.
- Supported the senior project manager in ensuring projects stayed on track and met client specifications.
- Coordinated with various departments to ensure seamless execution of projects, tracked project progress, and identified potential risks.
- Successfully completed over 30 projects, with a 30% improvement in process efficiency for clients and reduced operational costs by 15%.
Education
Master of Business Administration (MBA)
University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA | Graduated May 2010
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
University of California, Berkeley, CA | Graduated May 2005
Certifications
- Project Management Professional (PMP)
- Certified ScrumMaster (CSM)
- Six Sigma Green Belt
Frequently Asked Questions About How To Organize Resume Sections
What sections are essential on every resume?-
The five common sections of a resume include contact information, a resume summary, work experience, skills, and education.
How should I prioritize sections if I'm changing careers?+
Organizing resume sections for a career change involves prioritizing the parts of your resume most relevant to the position. For career-changers, this is likely to be transferable skills and accomplishments instead of work experience and education.
Is it necessary to include an "about me" section?+
Including a formal "About Me" section on your resume is not always necessary. However, it can be helpful to replace the profile section if you're applying to creative roles or senior-level positions where culture and personality fit are especially important.
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