Resume Writing Tips Part 4: Contact Information
Posted on 16. Dec, 2008 by Morgan in Job Hunting News, Resume Formatting, Resume Tips, Resume Writing
In the first three parts of our resume writing tips series we covered some of the basic building blocks to writing a successful resume:
Today we’re going to cover off the last basic building block of resume writing. It’s the no-brainer of the group: contact information. If there is anything that should be easy to find on your resume it should be the best way to get in touch with you. But surprisingly applicants make repeated, basic mistakes when it comes to including your contact information on your resume.
Must Have Contact Information on Your Resume
Of course you should have the following on your resume:
- Full Name
- Current Address with complete city, state and zip information
- Best phone number to reach you
- Email address
- Web site or Portfolio site
But let’s go more in-depth with the contact info to make sure we’ve got it down pat:
- Put your contact information on every page of your resume. Often times, recruiters will tear a stapled cover letter off the resume or rearrange the pages based on what they’re interested in learning about you. They’re also dealing with hundreds of pieces of paper. Make sure that your contact information isn’t lost just because one page of your resume package is.
- Use your cell phone as the number listed on your resume. This is the phone that is closest to you and gives you the best opportunity to connect with the recruiter when they’re trying to reach you for a phone interview. If you use your home number you may have a hard time connecting with the recruiter, a roommate may forget to give you the message, or you might be out of town for a few days and that time lapse between when the message was left and when you return the call could easily appear as a lack of interest on your part. Avoid all of this by using your cell phone.
- Listing a Web site or portfolio site on your resume. Be sure that your web site or portfolio site is up-to-date, has the right contact information on it and is accurate and functioning. We’ll talk more about managing your employer-facing web sites in another post. For now, make sure that it reflects the information on your resume to avoid any confusion or unnecessary questions.
What about LinkedIn and Other Web site Links?
Providing your LinkedIn profile URL on your resume can be an acceptable way to provide more information about yourself if you don’t maintain your own personal web site. Providing access to the recommendations feature of LinkedIn can be helpful for employers trying to learn more about you and your experience. However, if you do put your LinkedIn URL on your resume the same considerations apply to other web sites listed on your resume:
- Information must be consistent across your resume and LinkedIn profile
- Double-check the spelling, language and other information on your profile – it has to be as meticulous and professional as your resume
- Remove extraneous information that doesn’t highlight your strengths and accomplishments
We’ll talk lots more about the use of LinkedIn in the job hunt and how your LinkedIn profile works in tandem with your resume in the job search. For now, just make sure you go for consistency and professionalism on your profile.
What about other Social Network Links on My Resume?
Should you put your Facebook, MySpace or Bebo profile links on your resume? Two words. Absolutely not. While your social network profile may be used in during the HR professional’s research of your background and references you shouldn’t make it a part of your resume. A hiring manager doesn’t want to see your MySpace photos. While there are a very few exceptions (say a A/R person who links to band profiles on MySpace that they’ve developed/discovered) the general rule is just say no to social network links on your resume.
Great tips Morgan! As someone who’s been in charge of hiring other people, I can definitely agree that this is all important stuff. The hiring process is bad enough as it is, as the hiree you don’t want to make it any worse!
Thanks Beau for the comment. You’re right. When it comes down to it things get lost, misplaced, etc. Don’t let any small mishap derail your chances of getting hired.
And since your resume is your only representation it pays to consider each element of it.