Let's be honest - resume advice is everywhere these days. But most guides? They're recycled fluff that doesn't tell you what hiring managers actually care about. I learned this the hard way when my own resume got ignored for months until I sat down with a recruiter friend who showed me the brutal truth. So here's the no-BS guide to what to include in a resume, based on what actually works in 2024.
See, most people approach resume writing backwards. They dump everything they've ever done onto a page without thinking about the poor soul who has to scan 200 of these before lunch. Big mistake. What to include in a resume boils down to one question: What makes the hiring manager's life easier?
The Non-Negotiables: What Every Resume Must Have
I once helped a friend rewrite her resume. She'd been applying for months with zero callbacks. Turns out she forgot her phone number. Seriously. Don't be that person. Here's what absolutely belongs on every single resume:
Contact Information That Doesn't Waste Time
This seems obvious, but you'd be shocked how many people mess this up. Last month I reviewed 30 resumes for a position - four had expired phone numbers, two used embarrassing email addresses (looking at you, "beerlover88@..."), and one forgot to include any contact info at all.
| Must Include | Optional/Situational | Skip Completely |
|---|---|---|
| Full name (first and last) | LinkedIn profile URL | Full home address (city/state is enough) |
| Professional email address | Portfolio link (for creatives/tech) | Unprofessional handles |
| Current phone number | GitHub for developers | Age or birth date |
| City and state | Relevant social media | Personal lifestyle info |
Pro tip: Test your links! I once clicked a "portfolio link" that went to someone's Instagram food pics. Not relevant unless you're applying to be a food critic.
The Work Experience Section That Actually Convinces
This is where most resumes fail. I used to write mine like a job description - "responsible for X, managed Y." Boring and ineffective. What hiring managers want to see is impact.
| Weak Phrasing | Strong Alternative | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|
| Responsible for social media | Grew Instagram following by 72% in 6 months | Shows measurable impact |
| Worked with clients | Retained 95% of key accounts through pandemic | Specific and impressive |
| Helped with budget | Reduced departmental spending by 22% annually | Quantifies achievement |
Numbers talk louder than words. If you can't measure it, rethink how you describe it. When I revamped my resume with this approach, callback rates tripled.
Surprisingly Important Sections Most People Screw Up
Skills Section: Beyond Buzzword Bingo
Listing "Microsoft Office" doesn't cut it anymore. Be specific about proficiency levels and always match skills to the job description. Here's how to categorize them:
| Technical Skills | Soft Skills | Industry-Specific |
|---|---|---|
| Python (advanced) | Conflict resolution | GAAP compliance |
| Tableau (intermediate) | Stakeholder management | HIPAA regulations |
| Google Analytics | Cross-functional collaboration | SEMRush certified |
Warning: Don't lie about skill levels. I once interviewed someone who claimed "expert" Excel skills but couldn't do a basic pivot table. Awkward.
The Education Section That's Not Just Dates
If you're more than five years into your career, your education section should be concise. Recent grads can expand it strategically:
- Bachelor of Arts in Marketing
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
Graduated: May 2022
Relevant coursework: Digital Analytics, Consumer Behavior - Study Abroad Program
London School of Economics
Fall 2021
Focus: International Marketing Trends
See how that's more helpful than just "University of Michigan, 2018-2022"? Shows what actually matters to employers.
What to Include in a Resume When You're Changing Careers
This is tricky. I coached a teacher transitioning to corporate training who kept getting rejected. The problem? Her resume screamed "classroom teacher" not "corporate trainer." Here's how we fixed it:
- Summary statement: "Passionate educator transitioning to corporate training with 3000+ hours facilitation experience"
- Skills section: Highlighted curriculum development and presentation skills instead of classroom management
- Experience bullets: Rewrote all teaching experience as training experience ("Developed learning materials" instead of "Created lesson plans")
She landed three interviews in two weeks after these changes. The key was translating her experience into their language.
Formatting Choices That Won't Get Your Resume Trashed
Applicant tracking systems (ATS) are picky beasts. I tested different formats with actual hiring managers and here's what consistently works:
| Format Choice | ATS-Friendly? | Human-Friendly? | When to Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reverse chronological | Yes | Yes | 90% of situations |
| Functional | Risky | Mixed | Career changers only |
| Hybrid | Usually | Yes | When targeting specific roles |
| Creative formats | No | Maybe | Only design fields |
Font and Spacing Choices That Don't Annoy Readers
I made all these mistakes early in my career. Learn from my pain:
- Font size: 10-12pt for body, 14-16pt for headers. Anything smaller causes eyestrain.
- Font choice: Stick with Calibri, Arial, or Garamond. Skip script fonts entirely.
- Margins: At least 0.5 inch all around. Cramped resumes feel chaotic.
- Length: One page until you have 10+ years experience. Even then, two pages max.
Print test: Always print your resume before submitting. Formatting that looks fine on screen often looks terrible on paper.
What to Include in a Resume FAQ
Should I include references?
Don't waste space with "references available upon request." That's assumed. Create a separate document with references that matches your resume's formatting.
How far back should my resume go?
Generally 10-15 years max. That 1998 retail job? Only include if it's directly relevant to your current career goals.
Do I need to explain employment gaps?
Address significant gaps (6+ months) briefly in your cover letter or with a simple note like "Career break for family care." Don't dwell on it.
Should I include my GPA?
Only if you're a recent grad (within 3 years) and it's above 3.4. Otherwise skip it.
Can I use color in my resume?
Subtle color accents are okay (like navy blue headers), but avoid rainbow designs unless you're in a creative field. Always ensure it prints well in black and white too.
Personal Takeaways: What I Wish I'd Known Earlier
After reviewing thousands of resumes as a hiring manager, here's my brutal honesty:
- Customization beats quantity: Sending 50 generic applications is less effective than sending 5 highly tailored ones.
- Numbers are your friends: Even if your job seems unquantifiable, find metrics. "Trained 15 new hires" is better than "responsible for training."
- Skip the fluff: Nobody cares about "hard worker" or "team player." Show, don't tell.
- Proofread obsessively: One typo can tank your chances. I rejected an otherwise perfect candidate last month for mixing up "manager" and "manger."
The key to what to include in a resume always comes back to relevance. Every single line should answer the employer's unspoken question: "How will this person solve my problems?" Nail that, and you're golden.
Still stuck? Look at your resume and ask: If I were hiring for this position, would I interview me based on this document? If the answer isn't an immediate yes, revisit what to include in your resume. Sometimes the hardest edits make the biggest difference.
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