How to Include Contact Information on Your Resume [The Guide]

Have you ever frantically refreshed your email waiting for that job offer only to realize you gave them the wrong address? That's the price you pay for messing up your resume contact details.

Your resume contact details may seem like the easiest thing in the world to write, but it can be very tricky. You have to update this information regularly, as well as have it absolutely professional, easy to find and in order. We will show you how to include contact information on a resume and never miss a callback.

Let’s get right into it.

What is the must-have information in your contact section? The recruiter has to be able to contact you ASAP if they like to offer you the job. This is why you need to provide your:

• First and last name
• Email
• Telephone number

These are the top 3 basics.

FULL NAME

While it may be tempting to use a nickname, it’s best to put your exact name as it appears on your passport.

Stay away from names that deviate too much from your given name.

Make the recruiter’s life easier. By listing your name as it appears in your passport, the hiring manager will be sure that you’re the exact person they want and if there are problems reaching you via phone or email, they can always cross-reference your LinkedIn profile.

#email-address

EMAIL ADDRESS

The key takeaway when it comes to email is that you should always use a professional address. Make sure to create an account using your first and last name, perhaps adding a number if your choice is already taken.

Go for a professional-sounding email.

Double-check that you spell out your email address correctly. It would be a nightmare to be sitting at home wondering why you’re not being contacted by any recruiter, only to find out that you messed up a letter or a dot in your email.

Whatever you choose, make sure not to use your current work email. Imagine how awkward it would be to get an email from a recruiter pop up on your work screen where colleagues and your boss could see it. That’s a recipe for disaster.

You can go for a mainstream email domain, or you can use your college email address. For example, if you graduated from Harvard, Yale or another Ivy League school, feel free to use your alumni email.

#phone-number

PHONE NUMBER

While people use phones less and less to speak and more like portable computers, there’s a big chance that the recruiter calls you. If that were to happen, you need to make sure that you have an updated phone number in the resume contact information section. In fact, you'll see that most successful resume templates include a phone number.

Using the phone is actually the fastest way to get an invite for a second interview and receive the good news if they decide to hire you. This is why it’s best to put down your cell phone number.

Very few people use a landline nowadays. Even if the recruiter were to call your home phone, would you be there to answer? List the number that they would actually be able to use.

Remember that your resume doesn’t allow for any fluff. Every piece of information you list has to serve a purpose - the purpose of getting you the job. So don’t just put a phone on there to have it; include a number you answer promptly.

Include the area code for your state or country code if you’re applying from abroad.

#address

ADDRESS

Why should you put your address in your resume contact section? I hate to ruin your dreams, but no, the recruiter won’t come to knocking on your door to offer you the job.

The physical address is still worth listing on your resume though. It shows the hiring manager whether you already live in the company area or whether you’d need to relocate. This is an important question which would eventually come up in the interview conversation, so both you and the hiring manager have to be prepared.

There are companies which are more than happy to offer extra compensation for relocation, but there are some who prefer to hire applicants who already live in the area.

In some cases, the job may need a local in which case showing that you know the area well is a plus (think a tour guide or a sales rep).

If you don’t like to waste too much precious space on your address, it’s ok to list your city, state and zip code, dropping the street name and number.

After all, the recruiter would want to know your state of residence, not whether you live on the second floor of a townhouse downtown or share an apartment with four people in Chinatown.

#common-mistakes

COMMON MISTAKES

Though the resume contact section may seem simple and straightforward, there are some common mistakes that applicants make.

The worst offenders are:

• Using a name that’s too far from their official (e.g. Lola vs Angela)
• Listing an unprofessional email address (casanova69@site.com)
• Listing your current work email
• Including an old or unused phone number
• Not including the country/ area code in phone number

Use this checklist as a guide to what to avoid.

Now that we’ve covered the basics of resume contact information let’s look at some bonus tips that will help the recruiter reach you in a minute.

LINK SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNTS

Social media has become increasingly prevalent. Everyone nowadays is on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and more. In fact, not having a Facebook page has become the same as not existing in the “real” world.

You can use social media strategically to create a complete application profile. The major social media networks to include on your resume are LinkedIn and Twitter. Why?

LinkedIn has established itself as the largest and most detailed platform for professional summaries. Your personal page is a resume within itself. It includes your photo to add a personal touch, lists your contact information, experience, education, skills, and endorsements.

It’s very important to be present on LinkedIn, especially if you’re applying for a position in marketing, sales, or PR. It’s great to create a profile as early as possible, which is why college career centers recommend that juniors and seniors join the platform.

LinkedIn

LinkedIn is a great way to catch the attention of the recruiter and the company. Instead of just looking knowledgeable on your profile picture, comment, like and share the content posted by the company you want to work at.

Engage meaningfully with their posts and feel free to send an invite to connect to the recruiter. If you think that this is too forward, don’t worry. Connecting with the recruiter shows that you are serious about the job.

Here are some tips on creating a good LinkedIn presence:

• Create a personal link with your first and last name (e.g. linkedin.com/in/FirstNameLastName
• Update your contact information (email, phone)
• Add your relevant experience with details
• Add your education - school and degree
• Include hobbies and interests relevant to your industry
• Include accomplishments and awards
• List skills and certifications
• Ask your contacts for endorsements
• Have a professional and friendly photo

If you’d like to get noticed further on LinkedIn, write posts and share them with your audience. Let’s say that you’re applying for a job in transportation. Write an opinion piece of self-driving cars and share it on LinkedIn.

Having an inactive profile won’t get you very far. Showcase your skills on the platform and add it to your resume contact section for the recruiter to see.

Twitter

Twitter is another popular social media platform to be on. It helps you keep up to date with trends and the latest news. Thanks to its 140-character posts, it lets you share updates extremely fast and engage with others.

Here are the basics of Twitter to follow:

• Choose a professional handle (e.g. @johnsmithsays or @jsmith72)
• Share updates relevant to the job you’re applying for
• Have a casual yet professional photo
• Don’t post anything controversial (political and religious opinions might lead to misunderstandings)
• Follow the company you’re applying to and the recruiter

Just like LinkedIn, Twitter allows you to engage with the content posted by the company you’re interested in, so go for it.

Facebook & other platforms

When it comes to Facebook, the recruiter may look you up, but it’s not necessary for you to list your page in the resume contact information. After all, some social media is allowed to remain private.

Whether you want to add your Facebook page or not is entirely up to you. If you post great content related to the company you’re applying for, make your profile public and go for it.

If you prefer to watch cat videos and talk to your friends, keep your Facebook private. Just make sure not to have an embarrassing party photo as your profile picture.

Other platforms that dominate the social space at the moment are Instagram, YouTube, Snapchat, and Pinterest. It’s not necessary to add any of those to your contact section unless you’re applying for a videographer job and you’ve got a great YouTube channel.

You can add these accounts only as an enhancement to your overall profile, but don’t worry too much about them. If you do list them, make sure to have a consistent and good handle. Use your first and last name or something related to your hobbies, like “@johnsmithtravels” or “johnsmithsays.”

Your social media handles will go at the top of your resume along with the rest of your contact details. Your LinkedIn URL will be the longest, while your Twitter handle will only take a few characters.

The resume contact information is a key aspect of your application and is present in all successful resume templates. While it should be short and to the point, you need to make sure that all the details are accurate and impeccable. Use your first and last legal name.

Don’t confuse the recruiter and lose a job over a wrong email and phone number. Make sure to list your up-to-date email, phone, and address.

Feel free to include your social media accounts, especially LinkedIn and Twitter. Create a personalized link and a good handle. Engage with the company on these platforms to get noticed.

Always make sure to have consistent information across the board. Use your correct name and stick to a stream of updates, posts, and news you share. You’ll get bonus points if you post great content tailored to the industry you’re applying for.

Make sure to have a professional and friendly photo on your social media accounts. While most companies prefer not to ask for photos on your resume, it’s good to put a face to the name, especially if you read dozens of resumes every day.