What to put on your resume: Key sections and elements that will help you stand out

Start your resume with a headline to catch the recruiter's attention. This can be a simple headline that indicates the position you are applying for. You can also include a brief presentation, making sure the information is clear and concise. Mention your experience, if significant, as well as your specialization, strengths, responsibilities you are willing to take on, and/or your career goal.

If you are responding to an ad, take care to make your tagline relevant to the position you are applying for. A tagline helps to highlight and enhance your resume by making it more noticeable. Therefore, avoid using the “CV” tagline and, if possible, avoid overly obvious headlines that are not personalized enough.

Personal information

Certain personal details should be included in your CV:

• Your personal details: Full name and first name. Note that age and date of birth are optional on the resume;
• Contact information: Phone number, e-mail address. Please note that it is optional to include your place of residence on your resume;
• Additional information: If you drive and have a vehicle, please indicate this if the job requires it.

What about a photo on your resume - it is not mandatory and the recruiter has no right to reject your candidacy because of its absence, but it can help create a more memorable image. Personal information, including contact information, is usually placed in the top left corner of the resume, but the key is to make it immediately obvious. Avoid flashy email addresses, pseudonyms and unprofessional photos to keep your resume businesslike.

Education and Qualifications

Your resume should list all degrees earned and training courses taken, including the year and where they were earned. Put the diplomas in reverse chronological order, starting with the most recent, and do the same with training courses, adding context to their completion. If you have multiple courses, consider organizing them into a separate section or even creating two separate sections.

If you are just starting a career or changing careers, the Qualifications section should be placed before the description of your experience. If you have significant professional experience, it is wise to place the Career Path section before the qualifications. This will help make the resume more logical and easy to understand.

Details about professional experience

In the Professional Experience section, list your professional experience and skills acquired, starting with your most recent position and moving to earlier ones, or group them by topic depending on the nature of the duties and the sequence of your career path.

For each of your professional experiences, be sure to include:

• Your job title: Include your job title, even if you have to clarify it if it is difficult to understand outside the company (e.g., “HS manager” = HR manager outside the head office);
• Relevant company with location: Name the company you worked for and give its location.
• Duties and Responsibilities: List the tasks you performed, avoiding routine tasks and emphasizing the most interesting ones relevant to the position for which you are applying;
• Accomplishments and skills acquired: If applicable, describe your accomplishments and the skills you have acquired (e.g., project management, special assignments, etc.);
• Significant Quantitative Results: Include meaningful results expressed numerically (e.g., increased sales, number of people recruited to your team, etc.).

Additional but useful resume sections

There are also sections that are not required, such as:

• Languages: Indicate the languages you speak, especially if it is important for the position. Even if you are in doubt, it is better to include this section;
• Computer Skills: Describe your IT skills using the categories “basic,” “use,” “good proficiency,” or “expert.” This section is important if IT skills are required for a job;
• Hobbies: List your hobbies, sports, and other interests. This will add personality to your resume.

Key resume sections: soft skills

Soft skills - otherwise known as behavioral skills - are a new favorite among recruiters and can be included on your resume. They emphasize the qualities of your resume.

You can place them:

• At the top of the resume, immediately below the title;
• In the job descriptions;
• At the end of the resume under the “personal values” tab;
• The stand-alone block option is particularly interesting for summarizing your behavioral skills in a few paragraphs.

6 creative resume headings to stand out

1. Professional Failures Section: Describe key failures and lessons learned from them. Demonstrates your ability to recover and learn from mistakes.
2. Block on digital presence: Indicate your social media profiles, blogs, or other digital projects. Emphasizes your engagement and competence in the digital environment.
3. Rethink the training section: Include certification courses, online learning, or skills mastered on your own. Shows your commitment to continuous development.
4. Entrepreneurial experience section: Mention your experience launching a business, even if it wasn't successful. Highlights your entrepreneurial spirit and initiative.
5. Recommendations section: List contacts of people willing to provide you with references. Builds credibility and increases your appeal to recruiters.
6. Coaching Role: Describe the courses and trainings you lead. Demonstrates your training and public speaking skills.

How should the sections of the resume be arranged?

To make your career path and profile stand out from other candidates, make your resume as clear as possible. Place your personal details at the top, then add a teaser, education and professional experience, and below that, add sections for languages, IT and hobbies. Make your resume simple and harmonious, avoiding unnecessary embellishments and colors by using a suitable template.

Conclusion

Writing a resume requires careful attention to every section and detail. Make sure your resume is structured, easy to read and reflects your key skills and achievements. This will increase your chances of success and help you stand out from other candidates.