Resume Section Guides

Your background is unique. You deserve to stand out. But, you'll be buried in the application mix if your resume can't be read by Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS)

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Uncommon Section Headings

Stick to conventional labels like “Education,” “Work Experience,” and “Technical Skills,” so the ATS knows how to sort your information

Consistent Date Formats

It doesn't matter if you use short, abbreviated, or full dates, ATSs can sort them. Just keep the format consistent to avoid looking sloppy

No Columns

ATSs are programmed to read left to right, some will read columns straight across rather than reading column one top to bottom

Traditional Section Heading

Make sure you have personal details, summary, work experience, education, and skills sections. Add other sections only if they add value

Images and Other Visuals

Being creative is a great way to stand out. But graphics are not robot - aka ATS - friendly. Save the design effort for an online portfolio

Bullet Points

Resumes need to be easy to read by both the ATSs and hiring managers scanning your application. Don't stuff your sections

Formatting Your Resume Sections

Below are the common "additional" sections of resumes. See some of our recommended formatting templates below

Highlight Sections

Languages
Awards and Honors
Volunteering and Leadership
Interests

ATS-Friendly Resume Sections

Feel free to add your design aspects as long as the resume's structure and formatting are consistent. Dates formats, font color, font size, spacing, and labeling should all be consistent.

Remember, section headings should use a common label so you're information is seen by Applicant Tracking Systems
Feel free to add your design aspects as long as the resume's structure and formatting are consistent. Dates formats, font color, font size, spacing, and labeling should all be consistent. ]

Remember, headings should use a common label to be better read by Applicant Tracking Systems

Additional Resume Sections

Just copy and paste

CERTIFICATIONS

{Certification}{abbreviation)
{Provider} - {start date if applicable} - {end date}

Certifications and Licenses

•Bold {Certification}
•Use long, short, or number dates
January 2024 • Jan 2024 • 01/24
•Keep to two lines max

PROJECTS

{Project Name}
{Project Organization) 
{start date, if applicable} - {end date}
{Additional Information Paragraph}

Projects

•Bold {Project Name}
•Use long, short, or number dates
January 2024 • Jan 2024 • 01/24
•Add a short description of accomplishments

AWARDS

{Award}
{start date, if applicable} - {end date}

Awards and Scholarships

•Bold {Award}
•Use long, short, or number dates
January 2024 • Jan 2024 • 01/24
•Keep to two lines max

LANGUAGES

{Fluency in:  }
{Advanced Proficiency in: }
{Proficiency in:    }
{Basic Proficiency in:  }

OR

LANGUAGES

{Language 1, Language 2...}

Languages

•Bold fluent languages
•Add Proficiency levels if needed
•Keep to two lines max

VOLUNTEERING & LEADERSHIP

{Organization}
{Involvement} - {Location} 
{start date, if applicable} - {end date}
{Additional Information Paragraph}

Volunteering and Leadership

•Bold {Organization}
•Use long, short, or number dates
January 2024 • Jan 2024 • 01/24
•Specify role under {Involvement} and responsibilities during the work

PUBLICATIONS

{Publication}
{Publisher) - {Publication Date}

Publications

•Bold {Publication}
•Use long, short, or number dates
January 2024 • Jan 2024 • 01/24
•Keep to two lines max

INTERESTS

{Interest 1, Interest 2, Interest 3...}

Interests

•Seperate each interest by comma
•Interests ≠ Skills
Interest should be thought-provoking and allow the hiring manager to see the "unique" human side of your resume

Resume Sections Generator

Use the following tool to format your additional resume sections according to ATS best practices

Certification

Project Name

Organization

Start Date

End Date

Aditional information

Organization

Involvement

City

State

Start Date

End Date

Aditional information

Preview

Formatting Your Resume Sections

Credibility Sections

Highlight Sections

ATS-Friendly Resume Sections

Additional Resume Sections

Certifications and Licenses

Projects

Awards and Scholarships

Languages

Volunteering and Leadership

Publications

Interests

Resume Sections Generator

Certifications

Awards & Scholarships

Projects

Volunteering & Leadership

Publications

Interests

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