Resume Contact Information (What to Include + Examples)
Recruiters spend seconds scanning resumes before deciding whether to read on. It’s your job to make sure your resume contact information is front and center. In this guide, we cover exactly what to include and how to do it.
You’ve wowed the recruiter with an attention-grabbing resume and they want to reach out to you. Don’t make it hard for them. Including clear and concise resume contact information could be the difference between getting an interview, and getting ignored. But how do you include it?
In this article, you’ll discover:
- The exact contact information you should include on your resume.
- What contact information you should leave off your resume.
- How to include it correctly (with resume contact information examples).
How to include your contact information on your resume (with examples)
First up, let’s talk about how to include contact information on your resume. You don’t need to overcomplicate this step. It’s simply about sharing the most important information clearly.
Before you do anything else, you need to know what details to include and why.
Information to include | Why you should include it |
Your name and title | Let recruiters know who you are and what you do at a single glance. This should be at the top of the contact information section. |
Your phone number | Many recruiters prefer a quick call to emailing candidates. Include this detail to give them the option. |
Your email address | Email is the main way most recruiters follow-up with candidates. |
Your location | Recruiters need to know where you are based, even if the role is remote. |
Your LinkedIn profile | Chances are, recruiters will look you up on LinkedIn before contacting you. Make it easy for them by including a link. |
Now let's dive in and see how we can make each item in your contact information section perfect.
Your name and title
Let’s get the basics right: your name and job title. While this should be relatively straightforward, it’s smart to go over the best practices.
Start with your name in large, legible font. It should match your LinkedIn profile name. The recruiter will likely look you up when reviewing your resume. If you have a title that’s relevant to the job (for example, a PhD), you can include it here. That tells the recruiter what your credentials are before they’ve even read your resume.
Next up, add the job title below your name. Many candidates aren’t quite sure how to get this right. Use the title that accurately describes your last role, or career as a whole.
Tip: Match your job title to the job advert (when appropriate).
If your current title is “SEO writer” but the job asks for a “Content writer,” use the latter. The two roles are often interchangeable. Mirroring the language from the advert instantly tells the recruiter you’re a good match for the role.
Use professional language when including your role. Creative and clichéd terms like “ninja,” “rockstar,” and “whiz” are not likely to impress most recruiters.
Good examples
- Digital marketer
- Content writer
- PR executive
- Software developer
- Teacher
Bad examples
- Digital whiz
- Content ninja
- PR magician
- Software developing rockstar
- Guru (i.e. teacher)
Before you get started, make sure your portfolio is up to date. You can also rearrange your projects to ensure the most relevant (to the role) are at the top of the page.
Phone number and email address
Next, put your current phone number on your resume. Recruiters may wish to contact you by phone to arrange an interview or to conduct a preliminary screening. Your phone number should be easy to read and clear. It sits just below your name and title.
Since most job application processes are carried out almost entirely online, it’s also important to include your email address in your resume contact information.
Use a simple, professional email address from a trusted email provider. Do not use a current work email address or an unprofessional address that you created in high school
It's most professional to just use your name, or add a couple of numbers if all variations of your name are already taken. You should avoid anything that sounds juvenile. For example, email addresses featuring nicknames or random words are a no-go.
Good examples
- sam.smith@example.com
- j.wright@example.com
- drperryjackson@example.com
Bad examples
- pinkponyclub2452@example.com
- ilovecheese@example.com
- pezzajthedoc@example.com
Location
You don’t need to include your full address on your resume. However, it’s usually best to include a location. That is, your city, state, and maybe even your country.
When applying for remote jobs, you might think you can leave this detail out. That’s not always the case. Many companies need to know where you’re based for tax and insurance reasons.
Applying to a job somewhere else?
If you’re applying for an on-site role in another city or country, emphasize that you’re willing to relocate. You can put “Looking to relocate” or “Relocating to [city] in June” below your location.
Start by including your city/town and state acronym. You can include your country, but that is completely optional. It may be wise when you’re applying for jobs outside of the United States.
Good examples
- New York, NY
- Chicago, IL, USA
- Austin, TX (Open to relocate)
- Los Angeles, CA (Open to remote work)
Bad examples
- 142 Willow Creek Drive, Apartment 4B, Austin, TX 78701
- 67 Maple Street, Chicago, IL 60601, USA
- Austin
- East Coast
LinkedIn profile
Recruiters regularly check LinkedIn when reviewing candidates. Make their job easy for them by adding a custom profile URL to your resume. Make sure your LinkedIn profile is updated with your current job, accurate personal information, and a professional photo.
Next, set up your custom profile URL with something simple and short, like your name. Once your LinkedIn profile is optimized, include your customized URL on your resume header
Provide your full custom URL, excluding the “https://www”. Make sure you hyperlink the text so the recruiter can simply click on it and be taken to your profile.
Optional resume contact details
We’ve covered the main resume contact details you need to include. But you may want to add a few extra details into the mix. Let’s take a look at some options and how to add them to your resume:
Optional items to add | Why and how to add them? |
|---|---|
Portfolio | If you work in a creative field, including your portfolio may be a smart idea. Once again, you should add this as a URL and hyperlink. Example: github.com/your.name |
Website | It gives the recruiter a chance to see what you’re about. Creative professionals may use sites to showcase their talents. Keep it simple when including this detail. Use a short URL and hyperlink it. Example: [name]photography.com |
Social media | The golden rule is to only include them if they are relevant. If, for example, you’re a makeup artist and share your creations on Instagram, you’ll want to include it. Example: instagram.com/yourname |
Relocation notice | You can slide this nugget under your location. Make sure you’re clear about being willing to move for a role. Example: Relocating to [place] in [date] |
What contact information to leave out of your resume
When it comes to resume contact information, what you leave out is just as important as what you include. There are certain details that have no place on your application. Let’s take a look.
Your full address
This is potentially sensitive information, so you can leave it off your resume. The recruiter does not need to know precisely where you live and may have misconceptions about certain areas. That can lead to cases of unconscious bias which, of course, you want to avoid.
Similarly, if you’re uploading your resume to multiple sites, you don’t want it getting into the wrong hands. Having a document containing your full name and address floating around the internet is a recipe for disaster. Simply include your basic location and leave it at that.
Icons and images
You might think that icons and images make your resume stand out. However, these elements can play havoc with applicant tracking systems (ATS). The software may not be able to read your contact details.
Not all icons are created equal!
If the icons are part of a well-formatted template, they may parse the ATS software. Choose from one of our tried and tested resume templates for the best results.
Your current work email address
Chances are, you’re not the only person who has access to your work email account. Including this on your resume may tip off your employers that you’re looking for new jobs.
Recruiters may not be comfortable contacting you at your current workplace. When they see your email, they may decide that it’s not worth the hassle of contacting you.
Your date of birth
Your age should never come into a recruiter’s hiring decision. In the United States, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) prevents age discrimination in the workplace.
For that reason, you should never include your date of birth on your resume. This move could lead to bias on the recruiter’s part.
Where to list your resume contact information
By this point, you’ve got a clear idea on what contact information to include. But where should you list it? The simple answer is your resume header.
However, there are some key things to consider:
The visual header and work header are not always the same.
- The visual header is always at the top of the page. It is a design feature.
- The work header contains your contact details.
Sometimes, it will include your work header, but not always. Often this depends on the design of the document.
Here's an example of a visual header that includes the contact details:
Where your work header is located largely depends on whether you choose a one-column or two-column layout.
- With a one-column layout, it will likely be at the top of the page.
- With a two-column layout, it will be on the left at the top of the column.
Here's an example of a two-column layout:
Legibility is your number one priority. You need to make sure the recruiter can clearly read your resume contact information.
- Make sure you choose a clear font
- Choose a size of at least 8 pt
- Space out your details properly for readability
Here's an example of a well-formatted contact section:
Getting too creative with your resume header is a risky move. Applicant tracking systems (ATS) may find it hard to parse information that is not clearly laid out.
Make sure that it’s obvious what each detail is and use a local format. Using the order we’ve covered above ensures your contact details have a consistent structure.
Here's an example of an ATS-friendly format:
Jobseeker’s pre-designed resume examples give you inspiration and make formatting your application a breeze. Each one contains a well-formatted contact section, helping you to avoid any mistakes early on.
Quick guide to format your contact details
Position. Place your contact information either at the top or left-hand side of your resume, depending on the layout. |
Spacing. Include white space between each piece of information to make sure it’s easy to read. |
Good alignment. Check that the section has consistent alignment throughout. |
Font. Use a readable font style and make sure it’s 8 pt or more in size. |
ATS compliance. Adopt a logical structure to make the section ATS-friendly. |
Hyperlinks. Include short URLs and hyperlinks that can be clicked. |
Limited icons or symbols. Avoid icons and symbols, which could be tricky for the ATS. |
Make your resume contact details clear
Including a clear set of resume contact details is a must. It means recruiters can easily get in touch with you and invite you to an interview.
Make sure you include the basic details they need, including your name and title, location, phone number, email address, and LinkedIn URL. Of course, you can also add in optional extras, such as a link to your website or portfolio.
Looking to create a flawless contact details section the first time around? Jobseeker’s resume builder tool is the best place to start.
Simply choose a pre-formatted template that works for you, add in your information including your contact details, and download your resume.
Impress potential employers with your resume
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