Should You Include Contact Information On A Resume?
Are you wondering if you should include your contact information on your resume? The answer to the question is yes.
The contact information you add to your resume is meant for the prospective employer to contact you in case you get the job. Also, the contact information reveals a bit more information about you. It helps the prospective employer to know you better.
Another thing you may not know about the contact information is that it shows the professional side of you. Employers can easily see your level of professionalism, and technicality by looking at your contact information.
Certain details must be included on your resume’s contact information page. You will find out what they are in this article.
Let’s dig in!
The Contact Information to Include in Your Resume
While you are writing your contact information, you must take note of a few things.
Make sure that your information is updated. From your phone number to your email address, be sure that they are active. They should be your most recent details. Also, ensure that you have uninhibited access to them at all times. Make sure to run a recent check on your contact details, check your utility bills and identity cards again to be completely sure before forwarding your resume to a future employer.
Likewise, your contact information must be accurate. A lot could go wrong if a number or word is spelt incorrectly. There is a difference between “Chris” and “Cris.” Also, “Number 21” is not the same as “Number 12.” These little details make a lot of difference, even legally. For this reason, it is advised that you proofread your contact information before sending it to your prospective employer. There is no going back after that.
Full Name
The first and most important piece of information needed on your resume is your full name. Have you ever wondered why before you formally introduce yourself in an interview, the interviewer sometimes calls you by name? They don’t have superpowers; it’s because your name is on the resume.
This piece of information forms the basis of everything else about you. In fact, your name gives out a lot of information about you. Although a bit stereotypical, people can tell a person’s race just by hearing their name most time. Also, people can easily tell your gender most times by knowing your name even without having seen you. That is why some details on your contact information are irrelevant.
You have to write your name formally on the contact page. Note that if you are adding a nickname, enclose it in parenthesis after your first name. Here are examples of how to format your full name.
- David Robert Beckham
- David R. Beckham
- David (Becks) Beckham
Email address.
Your email address is another major piece of information to add to your contact details. Firstly, it is a valid form of contacting you anywhere you are. It is also convenient for your employer or anyone else to reach out to you via email. Also, an email address is one of the most formal means of communication in the corporate world. In fact, some employers receive and send so many emails daily that they have assistants to help them with emails.
Your email address says quite a lot about your professionalism. Just like with social media, you need to have an official email address. While your personal email address might read, superblondie007@hotmail.com, never use that for official purposes. No one will take you seriously with that. Rather, create an official email address with your full name like sarah.conor@gmail.com.
Mailing address
While some are divided on this aspect, your mailing address should be in your contact information list. Your mailing address shows where you reside and how you can be contacted through other conventional means. As long as you have an address, include it in your resume.
Employers want to know a bit about their prospective employees, including where they are from. Also, your future employer wants to know they can hold you accountable if the case arises. Some people argue that it could make a job seeker vulnerable as their residential address would be exposed. If that is the case, then one might as well include no personal information in a resume. Let your mailing address consist of your city, zip code, and the state you reside in.
Phone number
Your phone number is the most effective way for your prospective employer to contact you. Even though an email is more formal, a phone call ensures instant dissemination of information. Include your phone number. Yes, you read that correctly.
Why should you give out your private number on a resume? For many reasons.
Firstly, we don’t usually give out our numbers to strangers to avoid stalking or prank calls, among others. Rest assured your potential employer would only call you after an interview if they have considered you for the job.
Secondly, including your home line instead of your number can be dangerous. Since anyone can use the home number, you might not be around to receive a call from your prospective employer. Also, you don’t want someone else (maybe a toddler) picking up such an important call and talking gibberish. It could hurt your chances of getting the job.
Website
If you have a website, why not include it in your resume? Having a website still gives some hype to your credentials. Managing a website takes effort, time, and money. That shows dedication to your craft. As long as your website is related to the type of job or opportunity you are looking for, it boosts your chances of landing it.
Just like with the email address, make sure you carefully choose a domain name that shows who you are as a person and a professional. Also, let your portfolio be easily found on your website. It is a major bonus in today’s labor market.
Professional Social media account
The importance of social media in the digital age cannot be overemphasized, even in the corporate world. Nowadays, you can add your social media details to your resume. Your social media reveals a lot about you. However, you should be careful not to reveal too much about yourself which is why you need to have a professional social media account.
Separate your personal social media accounts from professional ones. While you use Instagram and Facebook for your personal experiences, dedicate the likes of Twitter and LinkedIn to your professional aspirations. This makes you seem professional and shows that you can handle your private life and professional life without problems.
Final thoughts
You have to include your contact information in your resume. After all, it is your potential employer’s only way of getting in touch with you.
Make sure that every piece of information is spelt correctly- including names and numbers. You also have to be careful with the fonts you use in this contact information pane. Some fonts could make letters seem confusing, while the size could make the digits and alphabets difficult to read.
Follow this guide and include the necessary details that give your employer just the right kind of information about you. If this article has helped you in any way, please share it with others.