Category: Professional Credentials

About the Content and Formatting of Resume Headings


The basics of resume headings

The first and most prominent item on your resume is your name and contact information. Your name is typically in the largest font, standing apart from all other text on your resume. A common mistake made by many professionals is trying to emphasize their name in a special font type. As it is difficult to anticipate which software and version your potential employer is using, you run a risk of not knowing exactly how your name will appear on their screen.

In view of the above it is advisable to stick with basic font types like,– Arial and Times New Roman which are two of the most commonly used, and are least risky when it comes to formatting your resume, and you should also be mindful not to go overboard on the font size. For example, your name should be in point size 14 or 16 and all other headings should be in 12 or 14 point font, while the remaining text of your resume should be in the range of 10 and 12 point font.

Along with your name, the very top of your resume should contain your mailing address, your email address, and at least one phone number where you can be reached. It is best to include a physical mailing address instead of a P.O. Box, whenever possible; and you should never include an email address at your current place of employment (yes, it happens). A helpful hint about listing your email address is to make sure that it contains your name, as this helps you appear more professional.

Resume inclusions reflect professional image

You can create a free email account with one of the leading providers of such service, e.g. Gmail, MSN, Yahoo, etc. and it might be helpful to have one email address as a point of contact for your job search. At least one phone number should be listed; but make sure to indicate if you are listing a home or a mobile number. If you have a professional website, the site address can also be included along with your contact information.

Please note that you should only provide a website address if the website does not contain anything that is personal, or any personal identifiable information (PII) because the only reason a potential employer may want to look at a website is if your professional portfolio or a copy of your resume can be found there.

Whether you decide to create a chronological resume or a functional resume, you will need to separate the information by with the use of headings; and the best advice you’ll get anywhere is to keep the section headings professional and stick to the basics. Don’t try to come up with creative titles for your professional summary, or for your qualifications. If you use a chronological resume the following sections/titles should be featured:

Contrast in resume heading styles

  • career objective
  • professional summary (optional)
  • professional experience/work experience/experience
  • education
  • publications/special achievements (if applicable)
  • qualifications/skills
  • references/references and portfolio

A functional resume is slightly different, and the headings you choose will really depend on the skills you’re trying to highlight. Features should include:

  • career objective
  • education
  • professional skills/professional qualifications (this section will include sub-headings as they relate to specific qualifications you want to promote, such as communications, customer relations, management positions, etc.)
  • work experience/work history (if applicable; should only include dates, titles, companies and locations without listing responsibilities)
  • volunteer work/activities (if applicable)
  • references

To conclude with…

The above mentioned features are typically those that are found in chronological and functional resumes; but you might want to do a little research on resume styles to find sample resumes of professionals in your industry; and if the need arise, simply adjust these headings based on your field, but be mindful of keeping the content consistent across industries.

Stick to the basics, and don’t try to be creative in order to stand out, because a professional and polished resume will get you noticed. So do your best to create a resume that is error free, and which best supports your career objective.

To List Foreign Education & Job Experience on a Resume


The value of education and diversity

In American society we pride ourselves on the diversity of our citizens and residents, while making conscious efforts to appreciate the cultures and backgrounds of each other. In any given company located here, you can find training teams conducting inclusion classes, and openly discussing diverse work environments. Diversity, in other words, has become a part of our culture both in and outside the work space, and it is something that we seldom stop to appreciate.

A sizeable portion of the American workforce has acquired at least part of their education in a foreign country; and if you are in that group, one of the main challenges you will face when composing your resume, is transferring your education and any experience you may have from another country in a way that smartly conveys to a potential American employer, your qualifications and achievements as they relate to your career objective.

When it comes to your scholastic achievements, make sure that you understand the educational system in the United States, and familiarize yourself with the various levels of college degrees. But make sure you understand the difference between trade schools, colleges and universities, as well as the various degrees you can obtain at each of these educational facilities. You don’t have to translate your degree directly, but make sure the terminology you are using is appropriated to educational achievements in the US.

Foreign skills aligned with job duties

Should it become necessary you may have to seek assistance from a translating service, or from a resume writing service that might have a staff member who speaks your language, or is familiar with your country and its culture. This will ensure that the education and employment information you acquired in another country is properly listed on your resume; do not make a mistake however, of exaggerating the position you held, or the degree you received in that other country.

Consider the fact that your potential employer has very limited resources, and verifying the foreign education or employment you list on your resume may be less a priority to that employer, when compared to hiring another applicant for the position. This doesn’t mean you have a free pass to make things up; you should instead gather any documentation you may have that shows your achievements.

If you have any transcripts or degrees from your school, or any awards from your previous employment, take them to a translating service that will recreate and notarize these documents in English; and make a note on your resume or in your cover letter that you can show such documentation upon employer’s request.

Full disclosure can be advantageous

Additionally, if English is your second language make sure to list, under your Qualifications, any additional languages you speak fluently. And always be mindful that a resume free of typos and grammatical errors will indicate to a potential employer that you have taken the time to learn the language, and that you place high emphasis on your communication skills.

As a best practice, if your resume includes education or work experience you acquired in a foreign country, your cover letter should address any concerns that may be brought up as a result of conveying this information. Your employer may have questions about why you left the country where you previously work, or if you intend to go back after some time (if you came to the United States to further your education, indicate the length of time you are staying).

Keep these things in mind –and put yourself in a position of a potential employer who is reviewing your resume and anticipate any questions they may have about your professional history. Addressing any concerns about your resume ahead of time will assure that you are taken seriously as a qualified and credible candidate who happen to have had training and job-related experience abroad.