Personal Information on Resume – How to Add it Smartly

When you are crafting your resume, what do you work the most on? It may be how you show your strengths in that resume or how to highlight your hobbies or how will you showcase your achievements attractively.

You may spend hours crafting the about me section in your resume and writing an impressive summary that can attract employers. But did you ever care so much about the personal information on your resume?

Well, don’t worry – it happens to the most careful job seekers (even if we hate to admit it). As someone who has written their fair share of resumes, we can tell you that there is an art to crafting those few short lines about yourself.

Keep reading for tips on what personal information should be included (or omitted) when writing a resume.

Let’s dive in…

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Why is the Personal Information on Resume Important?

You may find it surprising but your personal details are indeed important to include on your CV. So imagine this.

Most hiring managers will first scan through the resumes of candidates. Now, if they find your resume attractive, how will they reach you? Having your details listed in an easy-to-read and easy-to-find way can help them do it easily!  

Let us explore 13 Big Reasons Why Personal Details on Resume are Important

1. It provides the employer with a way to identify the applicant and contact them for further information or to schedule an interview.
2. Employers may use your personal information to monitor your compliance with equal opportunity laws and to gather data for diversity initiatives.
3. Relevance to the position -Some personal information, such as your age, may be relevant to the position you applied for. For example, if you applied for any junior or middle sales role and you are above 45, there is a high chance of you getting rejected.
4. Personal branding: The personal information on your resume can help you stand out and showcase your unique background and experiences.

5. Locality: Personal information such as address and phone number can help an employer determine your proximity to the workplace, which can be important for some positions.
6. Language skills: Information about the your language proficiency can be relevant for positions where language skills are required.
7. Relevant hobbies and interests: Personal information such as hobbies and interests stated in your resume can provide insight into an applicant’s personality and character, and can also demonstrate skills and experience that are relevant to the position.
8. Reference information: Your resume may include the names and contact information of references. This personal information is important because it provides the employer with a way to verify your work history and character.
9. Background check: Personal information such as your full name and other details which may include your citizenship or other legal details can be used to conduct background checks, which are often required for certain positions.
10. Sharing links to any relevant online portfolios or websites you may have is highly recommended and can make a big difference when you are shortlisted for an interview opportunity.
11. Your personal information can help employers determine if you would be a good fit for the organization. It gives them hints about your personality, communication style, and other elements that cannot be gleaned from looking at.
12. Adding personal details to your resume or CV can help the hiring company create an organized talent pool. By including key information such as your name, contact information, and location, recruiters can maintain a qualified list of applicants for future positions.  For example, suppose a company is looking for additional drivers in their shipping department but has already received resumes from the same area for a sales position. In that case, recruiters can take those already-submitted resumes and consider them for the driver opening. 
13. This increases your chances of being considered for multiple openings in the same company over time and offers a more efficient way to apply for jobs.

By now you will understand, how this seemingly least important thing can actually play a big role in helping you stand out from other applicants!

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What Personal Details on Resume should you include?

As you can imagine, there are several personal details that you can add to your resume. This personal information is in different places or sections of your resume.

You want to ensure that the personal details you add are beneficial for your chances of getting interview calls and later standing apart from other applicants.

This can be the difference between making a lasting first impression or getting lost in the stacks of other resumes on an employer’s desk. Make sure that whatever you include reflects your best self and presents you in a professional light. 

After all, no one wants an unreadable smorgasbord of obscure fonts and strange layouts destructing from their CV.

Stick to the first principle thinking! There’s no substitute for a neat and tidy resume that tells employers all they need to know about you in just one quick glance.

Personal Details that You Must include in Resume

1. Full Name

There’s nothing quite like your name. It’s the one thing that makes you stand out. Your full name – first, middle, and last – will make all the difference when applying for jobs. 

This is naturally the most important detail to identify you. Without an accurate name included in your personal details, you could be missing out on opportunities. Because there’s no way of knowing exactly who they’re looking at.

Don’t let a small but important detail like your full name be the factor that leaves you behind.

2. Professional Title

Having your professional title on your resume is like putting on a badge of honor. It’s a token of the hard work and dedication you’ve put into your career.

It tells the recruiter who you are in an instantly recognizable way. So they can quickly decide if your experience matches the position at hand. 

Take, for example, a Project Manager. Their title alone speaks of years of expertise in meeting different types of projects and bringing them to completion with skill and acumen.

Your job title may say volumes about your prowess. So, if you have earned it, show it!

3. Email Address

Your email address is much more than a simple contact detail to include on your resume. It’s a doorway between you and potential opportunities.

For example, suppose a company with an impressive job opening happens to stumble across your profile. Let us assume that they find your resume impressive.

For any interested employer, you may be only a few clicks away with your email if they want to quickly and comfortably reach you.

Do you think they will want to make the first contact over the phone? Wouldn’t that be too cumbersome?

With this in mind, take the time to add an email address that looks professional. It should ideally show present information such as your name.

Keep it simple and professional!

4. Phone Number

Your phone number on your resume makes it much easier for employers to quickly reach you if they strongly think that you would be a good fit for the job.

This is because especially strong candidates get emails from recruiters all the time. So they may never bother to open them.

That’s why a simple phone call can make all the difference if they can’t contact you through email.

Make sure your phone number is clearly listed in your resume’s personal information section so employers can easily reach out to you.

5. Location

When adding a location for your resume, don’t overlook the incredible value of pinpointing where you live. It may be just a few lines of information, but this spot on the resume carries considerable importance for a few jobs. 

You could go with something as simple as listing the city, zip code, and country you call home to provide an idea of your geographic roots. Just a brief scrape of information can color how employers view you and give them an impressive glimpse into who you are.

6. Languages known

With India’s vast linguistic landscape, speaking multiple languages is an invaluable asset. It helps you both in navigating local dialects and employees working for potential employers. These days, most companies have employees from diverse background and cultures, often speaking 5 or more different languages.

Knowing English and Hindi is essential for most jobs, but those fortunate enough to be bilingual or trilingual often have a leg up regarding client-facing roles at global organizations. 

Communicating fluently in any local or foreign language can certainly put a person on the right track when looking for employment. It can even open doors that would otherwise remain closed without knowledge of such languages.

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Personal Information on Resume that is Optional

While contact information such as name, address, and phone number must in any resume, items such as photo, ethnicity or birthplace are completely optional. In most cases, you are free to leave out references to maiden names and religious affiliations.

However, you may choose to divulge this information if relevant or influential in the context of the job. Let’s take a look at this in more detail!

Let’s see which additional personal information is in your hands to impress the employers.

Optional Personal Information on Resume that can be Attractive for Interviewers

1. LinkedIn URL

A LinkedIn URL is not required on a resume, but it can make a huge impact in creating your personal brand!

Having a LinkedIn profile allows you to showcase your experience in greater detail and stand out from the crowd. 

It also suggests that you take your professional endeavors seriously.

It gives useful initial insights about your overall career, bent, and how you are generally seen in other companies.

Finally, it tells employers if you are actively focused on developing yourself as a capable professional. Including it in your initial job application signals to employers that you are motivated and know how to use this most important platform for professionals today.

2. Social media Profile Links

Having a physical presence on social media is becoming more and more prominent in the professional world. However, including your accounts as part of your resume’s personal details section is optional. 

You can still express your personality and highlight important traits without listing them directly – simply by using creative language throughout the rest of the resume to spark the employer’s attention. 

Whether you choose to include them or not, make sure that any necessary public-facing accounts are semi-professional and accurately reflect positive qualities that will benefit you in the role you’re applying for.

Selecting the right social media profiles is actually beneficial for your chances if you have smartly used those platforms.

3. Personal website

Having your own personal website is like having a business card that demonstrates who you are and what you’re capable of.

With a simple click, you can showcase the potential employers an impressive portfolio of your work. It can provide much deeper insights into what you can do, even before reaching the interview room. 

The most important thing is it shows your initiative to do things that most others won’t while presenting yourself as someone with the mindset of a smart professional!

Whether it’s design, writing, photography or web development- having a personal website adds the extra oomph to your resume and makes sure that it has maximum visibility.

Since LinkedIn and Social media profiles as well as your website can lead interviewers to ask questions mainly about achievements, hobbies and strengths, it will be useful if prepare strong answers for interview questions like –

What is your biggest achievement?

What are your strengths and weaknesses?

And finally, check 100+ impressive answers for the question – What are your hobbies?

4. Detailed Address

When adding personal information to your resume, you don’t necessarily have to include your full address – it’s your choice.

Even though this might seem minor, including a street address or city can be an opportunity for the employer to gain insight into how the job suits you geographically. 

5. Date and place of birth

The date and place of your birth are important pieces of context for any potential employer but that doesn’t mean you have to declare them on your resume.

Including this information is totally optional and your decision to leave it off won’t affect employers’ decisions when vetting. 

6. Marital status

Keeping this field blank may broaden your appeal and caters to a wider variety of employers but also makes them feel more empowered.

Keeping marital status off the page leaves room for other important life details that could be more beneficial to potential employers than information about your relationship status: volunteer experience, educational background, or certifications won during recent years.

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What Personal Details should not be included on a resume?

When you know how your personal information plays a big role in your overall recruitment process, it can be tempting to overdo it in the resume. It may however just end up being counterproductive for you!

At times, personal details that you add to your resume in the rush, can harm you immensely in your selection.

So, it brings us to personal details that you must absolutely avoid in your resume …

10 Personal Details on Resume that you must avoid!

1. Current Salary

Your current salary should not be included in your application. This can too easily set a limit and give away details that may create unwanted bias.

It can also dramatically hamper your chance of being offered any salary that may be way higher than your imagination!  

It is wise to save this conversation in the interviews about your salary expectations, for the later stages of your recruitment process.

Leaving out current salary information shows smartness in yourself and professionalism in the application process.

2. Details of your government identity proofs

Your National Insurance Number or Social Security Number or Aadhaar card number (for Indians) are sensitive pieces of data and could expose you to identity fraud if included in your resume details. So avoid putting any numbers provided by government to you in your resume.

Your employer will usually request this information after you have been hired. Depending on the job, some government positions may require it for vetting purposes.

However, it is a best practice only to provide this data when formally requested by an employer and not before.

3. Sexual Orientation

Including personal information such as your sexual orientation on a resume could hinder success.

Hiring discrimination can be an unfortunate reality in the workplace, and reporting this information can lead people to draw false conclusions about you. 

It would be more beneficial to inform employers passively of such details during an interview rather than list them in your CV.

Furthermore, some hiring managers may interpret this kind of disclosure as unprofessional, potentially causing you to miss out on a valuable opportunity.

4. Family demography

Marital status and dependents information are certain pieces that should remain out of a resume. Making this personal information available could make you susceptible to discrimination during the hiring process. 

Therefore, leaving this type of information off your resume is the safest approach and allows your qualifications and skills to be effectively evaluated in the right context.

5. Photograph

Professional resumes should not include a photograph of the applicant.

Though showing your photo can be customary in certain countries, employers generally try to get to know you based solely on your skills and experience. So photographs can be a distraction or draw attention away from the resume itself. 

Further, the inclusion of photographs judges you on your physical characteristics or cultural background instead of your qualifications for the position.

Unless explicitly requested by a job posting or required within the industry’s culture, it is best to stick with basic personal information such as your name and contact information, leaving room to discuss more important matters during an interview.

6. Date of Birth

Including date of birth on a resume could inherently affect the decision-making process of potential employers. So it can put you at an unfair disadvantage.

Whenever possible, focus on showcasing professional skills instead of dwelling on age-related matters. Omitting such details can give employers more room to make decisions based solely on merit.

7. Nationality

We agree that proving your eligibility for a job posting is important. However, you should never include your nationality on a resume.

Providing such information can be potentially discriminatory as employers may make assumptions about you or target their questions in a way that isn’t necessary.

Therefore, it is best to leave out information not useful to the role when creating your resume.

8. Gender

While many employers may be able to infer your gender from your name, asking directly and including this information on the resume is illegal in most countries. 

9. Religion

It is unlawful for an employer to make hiring decisions based on religious preference. So, highlighting such information on your resume effectively serves no purpose. As such, it’s best to avoid putting it in your resume.

10. Political Preferences  

Personal information that could be considered political preferences should not be present in any capacity.

This includes affiliations with religious or ideological organizations, statements about past or current politicians on social media, and other related materials.

Including this type of content has been known to raise eyebrows and recruiters can consider you as an activist which can put their organization in unnecessary danger.

So, it is best to leave off the resume entirely.

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Tips to add Personal Details on Resume Smartly

Formatting your personal information correctly on a resume is essential for an employer to identify who you are. You should carefully consider what you want to emphasize within the personal section and arrange each detail accordingly.

For example, start with your name and your contact information—phone number and email address. Then you could list any other relevant details, such as your date of birth, gender and nationality, to provide insight into your personal identity. 

For example, an experienced AI developer should highlight their professional title, such as “Sr. AI Developer, ” capitalizing the first letter of every word and adding it next to their name. 

Similarly, a fresher graphic designer’s resume should include the link to their portfolio in the personal detail section. Knowing how to correctly write and format your personal information can greatly impact your resume and increase your chances of job success.

When listing educational history on a resume, be sure to include the name of the institution where the degree was obtained and dates of attendance. If a GPA was earned during the program of study, this should also be included to paint an accurate picture of academic success. In addition to degrees earned and majors studied, it is beneficial to list coursework taken that is particularly relevant to the job being applied for.

For work experience on a resume, employers want to know what skills were utilized in previous positions held. This includes tasks performed, responsibilities given (including supervisory roles), accomplishments achieved while working at certain jobs, and any special projects completed.

While the chronological format is still important when listing work experience on a resume, focusing more heavily on accomplishments rather than dates may be more advantageous in certain cases.

Certifications and licenses should also be included when providing personal information on a resume, as they indicate specific training or skills acquired that may be necessary for certain employment positions. When listing these items on a resume, it is important to note what type of certification or license is held and by whom or from where it was obtained. 

Finally, awards or honors should also be listed when providing personal information on a resume as they demonstrate levels of achievement, either academically or professionally, that demonstrate excellence in some capacity; when listing awards, make sure that each award has enough detail associated with it for potential employers to understand its relevance and merit quickly and easily.

Examples of Personal Information on Resume shown Professionally

Here are some samples you can take inspiration from:

Graphic Designer

Created via CakeResume

Marketing

Created via CakeResume

CEO

Created via CakeResume

Video Editor

Created via CakeResume

General Manager

Created via CakeResume

Software Engineer

Created via CakeResume

Administrative Assistant

Created via CakeResume

Fashion Designer

So there you have it!

The do’s and don’ts of how to approach the personal information section on your resume. Just remember to keep it relevant, concise, and professional.

Don’t forget that a little bit of personality can go a long way – but make sure it’s still consistent with the overall tone of your resume.

If you have received a few interview calls, it is time to prepare yourself well for the interviews! Check our Interview Questions and Answers section for the same!