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10 Must-Have Resume Sections for 2024 [With Expert Tips]

Updated on: October 27, 2024 | 8 min read
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When recruiters review your resume, they spend an average of six seconds deciding if it’s worth further consideration. In such a short span, your resume must make a compelling impression.

The best way to capture attention is by structuring your resume using essential sections and filling them with clear, relevant, and tailored information. Here’s a comprehensive guide on what to include in your resume and how to organize it for success in 2024.

Every resume needs to cover the basics. No matter your experience or career level, these are the sections every resume should include:
  • Contact Information
  • Resume Summary or Objective
  • Work Experience
  • Education
  • Skills

Beyond the essentials, you can also include optional sections based on your career stage or the job you're applying for, such as:
  • Languages
  • Certifications
  • Volunteer Experience
  • Projects
  • Hobbies and Interests

Each section adds value, but you should be mindful of space. Most resumes should not exceed one page. For more insights on keeping your resume concise and effective, check out our 7 Tips to Make Your Resume Stand Out article for expert guidance.

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Depending on your career path, whether you're a seasoned professional, a recent graduate, or switching careers, you should order your resume sections differently.

1. Reverse-Chronological Resume Format (Most Popular)

The reverse-chronological format highlights your recent and relevant work experience. It’s the preferred structure for most professionals in 2024, making it easy for recruiters to track your career progression.

Order of Sections:
  • Contact Information
  • Resume Summary or Objective
  • Work Experience
  • Skills
  • Education
  • Optional Sections (Certifications, Languages, etc.)

2. Resume Format for Recent Graduates

As a new graduate, you may not have a lot of work experience to showcase. In this case, prioritize your education, skills, and any relevant extracurricular activities.

Order of Sections:
  • Contact Information
  • Resume Summary or Objective
  • Education
  • Skills
  • Work Experience (if any)
  • Optional Sections

3. Career Change Resume Format

For those shifting careers, emphasize transferrable skills and relevant accomplishments from past roles. This structure showcases your abilities while downplaying unrelated work history.

Order of Sections:
  • Contact Information
  • Resume Summary or Objective
  • Skills
  • Work Experience
  • Education and Optional Sections

Let’s dive into the specifics of each section to help you craft a resume that stands out.

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1. Contact Information

This section is critical, as you don't want recruiters struggling to reach you. Be sure to include:
  • Full Name
  • Phone Number
  • Email (use a professional address)
  • City and Country (optional)
  • LinkedIn or other professional profiles (optional)

2. Resume Summary or Objective

A strong resume summary for professionals or objective for recent grads or career changers helps grab attention right away. Keep it brief, using 2-4 sentences to summarize your most notable skills, experience, and career goals.

Example
  • Resume Summary: "Marketing expert with 5+ years of experience specializing in digital strategy and lead generation."
  • Resume Objective: "Recent Business graduate seeking an entry-level role in digital marketing to build on my experience in social media management."

3. Work Experience

List your past jobs in reverse-chronological order, highlighting key achievements instead of simply listing duties. Quantify your impact wherever possible.

Structure Each Entry:
  • Job Title
  • Company Name
  • Dates of Employment
  • Location
  • Key Achievements (use numbers if possible)

4. Education

Whether you’re fresh out of school or have been in the workforce for a while, education still plays a significant role. Include:
  • Degree and Major
  • University Name
  • Graduation Year
  • GPA (optional, only if impressive)

5. Skills

This section provides a quick snapshot of your capabilities. Include both hard and soft skills relevant to the job. Hard skills are specific, job-related competencies like project management or coding languages, while soft skills are behavioral traits such as teamwork or communication.

If you have space, consider adding these optional sections to further distinguish yourself:
  • Languages: List any additional languages and your proficiency level.
  • Certifications & Awards: Showcase relevant achievements.
  • Volunteer Experience: Highlight your community involvement and its relevance to the job.
  • Projects: Share key side projects or academic work that showcase your skills.
  • Hobbies & Interests: Mention interests that add depth to your personality and align with the company culture.

When it comes to putting your hobbies and interests on your resume, follow these guidelines:
  • Stick to One Page: Recruiters prefer concise resumes that get to the point.
  • Tailor Your Resume: Customize your resume for each job application. Use the job description as your guide for relevant keywords.
  • Use a Clean, Readable Layout: Organize your resume with headings, bullet points, and plenty of white space to make it easy on the eyes.
  • Choose a Professional Font: Keep it simple and professional without using fancy fonts.
  • Optimize for Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS): Many companies use software to scan resumes. Include relevant keywords from the job posting to ensure your resume passes through.

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  • 📄 Choose from multiple templates and layouts.
  • 🎯 Build your career with ease!

By including the right sections and organizing them based on your career goals, you’ll create a resume that captures attention and gets results. Here’s a recap of the most important points:
  • Include Contact Information, Resume Summary or Objective, Work Experience, Education, and Skills.
  • Add optional sections such as Languages, Certifications, or Projects to highlight additional strengths.
  • Customize the order of sections based on your career level. Recent grads should prioritize education, while career changers should emphasize skills.

With the right structure, you’ll boost your chances of getting noticed and landing that dream job. Ready to take the next step? Try using a resume builder to make the process even easier!

Ready to get started? Use our professionally designed resume templates to create a resume that’s guaranteed to grab attention and make a lasting impression.

What is the best resume format for 2024?

The reverse-chronological format is still the most effective in 2024, especially for passing the 6-second resume test.

With these strategies, you're well on your way to crafting a resume that can stand out in today's competitive job market.