How Long Should a Resume Be? Tips and Best Practices

When writing a resume, adding your resume contact information may seem obvious, but it’s one of the most common mistakes job seekers make. In fact, a TopResume study made in the US shows that one in four candidates either forget to add essential details to their resumes or format them poorly.

By doing this, job seekers make it harder for applicant tracking systems (ATS) to read their resumes and recruiters to locate them. And if hiring managers can’t reach you, you won’t get an interview, period.

This guide will help you with some valuable tips on how to include, format, and optimize the contact information on your resume the right way. Let’s get to it.

What is Resume Contact Information?

Resume contact information refers to the details recruiters and employers use to get in touch with job candidates. These details typically sit at the very top of the resume, making them easy to locate.

It usually includes your full name, phone number, professional email address, and relevant social media links. Ensuring these are properly formatted increases your chances of passing ATS screenings and being contacted quickly.

Why Should You Include Your Contact Info on the Resume?

Accurate contact information on a resume allows recruiters to reach out for interviews or follow-ups. It's a fundamental part of every application and the first thing hiring managers will check.

Even a well-written resume won’t help if employers can’t find a way to reach you. So, including clearly formatted contact information in a resume ensures you’re accessible and shows attention to detail — something recruiters notice right away.

What Contact Information Should You Include in Your Resume?

Each item in your resume’s contact section plays an essential role in making you reachable. This section will explain what to include and how to format each element for maximum clarity and professionalism.

Name

Always include your full name—first and last—at the top of your resume. If you have a common name like “John Smith,” consider adding your middle name or initial to help distinguish yourself.

If you go by a nickname or professional alias, it’s acceptable to use that instead of your legal name. Many professionals use a maiden name, nickname, or shortened version of their name to avoid confusion or bias. Here are some examples:

• Maeve (Nelson) Hunter

• William H. Keener, Jr.

• Allie Bostwick

• S. Schaffer

• Khalid “Kal” Hassan

If you have relevant credentials, such as an MBA, PMP, or RN, include them after your name to highlight qualifications. Just be sure the same name format appears on all professional materials, like your cover letter, business cards, and email signature. Some credential examples:

• Joshua Eggleston, RN

• Avery Thiele, PMP 

• Jesse Warch, MBA

Email

Your email address should look modern and professional. Consider creating a separate email account just for job searching, incorporating your name and/or job function. Good examples would be “jodi.a.lyon@email.com” or “jlyon.cpa@email.com.” If you create this separate email, don’t forget to monitor it regularly.

Phone Number

Ensure your contact information includes your personal mobile number, since it gives you full control over voicemail, call handling, and message responses. Also, choose a clear format to present your number and stick with it throughout all your application materials. The most common formatting examples are:

• 555-867-5309

• (555) 867-5309

• 555.867.5309

• Optional labels: “Phone:”, “Mobile:”, “C:”, “Tel:”

Finally, set up a professional voicemail greeting that includes your name so recruiters know they’ve reached the right person. Avoid using background music, jokes, or unclear messages.

Mailing Address

Depending on the positions you’re applying for, adding your location is essential. Most job seekers only list their city and state, especially if they apply locally. Simple examples are “Kitchener, ON,” or “Ville-Marie, QC.”

However, if you’re job hunting remotely or willing to relocate, consider omitting the address entirely. Many applicants choose this route to save space, maintain privacy, or avoid any confusion from recruiters.

Social Media

Relevant social media links can enhance your application, especially if they support your qualifications. Always include a LinkedIn profile link, since it’s expected in most industries. When you do it, include your custom LinkedIn profile URL, such as “linkedin.com/in/janedoe:” It’s more user-friendly and professional.

Creative professionals may add portfolios, blogs, or GitHub profiles. Be sure only to include professional and active links that reflect your work. Personal or outdated accounts should be left off your resume entirely.

Where Should You Include Your Contact Info?

Place your contact information directly under your name at the top of your resume. This is where recruiters expect to find it, and it must be easy to read.

Avoid placing it in headers or footers, especially in Microsoft Word, as ATS software might not scan those sections properly. Use consistent formatting and a readable font to ensure clarity.

What Not to Include in Your Resume Contact Information?

While it's important to share how employers can reach you, certain details can clutter your resume or raise red flags. Avoid outdated, unnecessary, or unprofessional elements that may hurt your chances or distract from your qualifications. Avoid including:

• Work or shared phone numbers

• Multiple phone numbers

• Full street addresses (unless required)

• Irrelevant social media links

• Unprofessional email addresses (i.e., humorous or including nicknames)

By leaving out this information, your resume contact information will remain clean, current, and directly relevant to your job search.

Resume Contact Information: Final Tips

Follow these best practices to ensure your resume contact information is professional, accessible, and recruiter-friendly:

• Proofread using online tools: Misspelled names or email addresses look unprofessional and can prevent employers from reaching you. Use tools like Grammarly or built-in spell checkers to catch errors.

• Have someone else review your resume: A second set of eyes can spot issues you may miss, from formatting inconsistencies to incorrect phone numbers or outdated links.

• Test all links before submitting: Broken links to your LinkedIn profile or portfolio can indicate carelessness. Click through each one to confirm that it leads to the right place.

• Tailor your info to fit job requirements: Some roles may ask for specific formats, multiple numbers, or alternate ways to reach you. Always double-check and customize accordingly.

In this article, we’ve seen what contact information should be on a resume and some resume contact information examples for you to land job interviews more easily. Now, click on the following link to view all of our resume samples and see various ways you can format your name and address on a resume.

Need help formatting your resume for success? TopResume's expert writers can help.