How to Write the Personal Information Section in a Resume

How to Write the Personal Information Section in a Resume

The personal information section is the opening part of a resume and the first content recruiters see. Its core objective is to present your key contact information clearly, accurately, and professionally, ensuring recruiters can easily find you and establish initial contact. Poorly written personal information may lead to missed interview opportunities.

I. Core Components (Required)

This information serves as the "ID card" of your resume and must be accurate and error-free.

  1. Full Name:

    • Requirements: Use your legal full name. Ensure correct spelling. The font can be slightly larger and bold, positioned at the very top of the page to make it stand out.
    • Purpose: To establish your personal brand identity.

  2. Phone Number:

    • Requirements: Provide a mobile number you use daily with stable signal. It is recommended to write it in a "3-4-4" segmented format, e.g., 138-xxxx-xxxx. Before submitting, always call it yourself to confirm it's correct.
    • Purpose: To ensure recruiters can reach you by phone.

  3. Email Address:

    • Requirements:
      • Professionalism: Strongly recommend using a professional email address. The best format is: name@emailprovider.com, e.g., zhangwei@email.com. Avoid addresses containing nicknames, birth years, or seemingly immature terms (e.g., gameking123@...).
      • Reliability: Use mainstream email services (e.g., Outlook, 163 Mail) and ensure you can receive new email notifications promptly.
    • Purpose: This is the primary channel for receiving important information such as interview invitations and written test questions.

  4. Location (City):

    • Requirements: Simply state the city where you currently reside, e.g., "Beijing," "Shanghai." A detailed home address is not necessary.
    • Purpose:
      • Relevance: Helps recruiters quickly assess whether your geographical location matches the job requirements (e.g., work location, need for remote interview).
      • Sincerity: Indicates you are seriously considering job opportunities in that city.

II. Optional Elements and Considerations

Deciding whether to include these elements and how to present them requires careful consideration based on the specific situation.

  1. Career Objective / Target Position:

    • What it is: Clearly state the job title you are applying for.
    • How to write it: The job title should be specific, ideally matching the title in the job posting. For example, "Java Backend Development Engineer" is more precise than "Software Engineer."
    • Advantage: Makes the resume goal-oriented and demonstrates your career focus.
    • Note: If you are using the same resume to apply for many different types of positions, stating a fixed career objective might limit its applicability. In such cases, consider omitting it or slightly adjusting it for each specific job application.

  2. Portfolio Links (e.g., GitHub, Personal Blog, Online Portfolio):

    • Applicable to: Job seekers in fields like design, programming, journalism, marketing/operations.
    • How to write it: Provide complete, clickable hyperlinks (write the full URL for printed resumes). Ensure the links are valid and their content demonstrates your professional skills.
    • Purpose: Provides the most direct and powerful evidence of your capabilities, significantly increasing your competitiveness.

  3. Links to Professional Social Media Profiles (e.g., LinkedIn):

    • Requirements: Ensure the information on your profile is consistent with your resume and is professional and complete.
    • Purpose: Provides richer professional background information and showcases your professional network and image.

III. Elements to Avoid or Handle with Caution

  1. Photograph:

    • Principle: Unless explicitly required by the industry or company (e.g., some performance, receptionist, sales positions), including a photo on a resume is not necessary and may even introduce unconscious bias in certain regions.
    • Recommendation: For most technical and functional roles, omitting a photo is a more professional and safer choice. If you decide to include one, be sure to use a professional headshot or business portrait.

  2. Age / Date of Birth:

    • Principle: Do not provide this unless explicitly specified in the job requirements. Hiring should be based on ability, not age.

  3. Political Affiliation, Marital Status, Place of Origin (Hukou), Ethnicity, and Other Personal Details:

    • Principle: This information is irrelevant to assessing your job skills and should not appear on a resume in the vast majority of cases. Maintain the professionalism of your resume content, focusing on job-related skills and experience.

IV. Layout and Formatting Suggestions

  • Position: Place it at the top of the resume.
  • Layout: Typically use left-aligned or center-aligned text. Information should be clearly arranged in separate lines to avoid clutter.
  • Conciseness: Include only necessary information. Keep this area clean, tidy, and easy to scan quickly.

Summary: Although the personal information section is small, it is the face of your resume. By making it accurate, professional, and concise, you can create a strong start for your resume, ensuring recruiters can contact you without any obstacles.