Personal details in the resume primarily include name and contact information. Apart from that, one can also provide additional information like your hobbies and extracurricular activities. Personal strengths in a resume would also come under personal details, and this is another aspect that defines what kind of person you are.
There are certain rules to be remembered while writing the personal details and personal skills for a resume which everyone has to follow. If left inattentively, it would become clumsy and unordered, which would result in making a wrong impression upon you.
Personal details in a resume do not just tell basic information about you, they also represent how much effort you have put in designing this CV and whether you have spent enough time in knowing the dos and don’ts of filling a resume’s personal details.
Importance of Personal Details in Resume
The personal details you include in resume play a pivotal role in presenting yourself to potential employers. Most people ignore this and would mention either very few details or too many details, which are both wrong. This is because personal details are the first thing that catches the interviewer’s eye in a CV. Just as in a personal interview, how one observes the non-verbal aspects before seeing your skills, similarly, in a CV screening, one would observe your details, personal strengths in a resume, and educational background before taking a look at your skills and experience level.
Hence, everyone in the job hunt has to spend some solid amount of time and energy designing every aspect of the CV, including the personal details in a resume.
Which Personal Details to Include on CV?
Below we have provided the key personal details you should include on your CV.
1. NAME
Mentioning your name is one of the most important things in your CV. Name is the first thing that the employer would want to see the moment they opened your resume. Hence, you have to place this as the header of your document, i.e., the name should come in the topmost line of the page. It should be center-aligned and in bigger font than the rest of the details. Preferably choose capitals in bold in a good font theme. But remember not to choose overly fancied font themes, instead select one from the standard and formal font themes. Also, remember to mention your full name, including the full surname.
One common mistake many people make in their resume is to keep the words “CV” or “Resume” as the main header of the page. Strictly avoid this mistake as it is unnecessary and not preferred. Also, some people try to mention their qualifications or phone number in brackets beside the name. This should also be avoided as it gives an unorderly format and is not good-looking. Hence, the name should be the first and the only thing that has to come as the header of the first page of your resume.
2. CONTACT NUMBER
Contact number should also be mentioned compulsorily. Most job interviews have a screening process where they would take your resume and make all further interactions only if the CV is selected in the screening process. And contact number is the only way to get back in touch with you. Hence, do not ever forget to mention the contact number.
In some cases, a contact number is not just a source to get back to you, but it also gives assurance that this is a valid application to look forward to.
Contact Number can either be mentioned at the left corner or the right corner of the CV, right below the name. Preferably keep it bold. Make sure to mention a valid phone number which you are available at all times. It is also advisable to mention the country code before the phone number. If it is an office or organization number, then preferably mention the timings at which the number is active.
3. EMAIL ADDRESS
Not only companies would want to contact you. Most of them prefer emailing you with all the details regarding the further steps of your application. Also, it is convenient for most companies to reply to all the applicants with the same information through email. This is the reason why you should always mention the email address, if not, there is the possibility that the employer might not get back to you just because there is no source of emailing address to send a message to you.
Always mention a valid e-mail address that you have access to at all times. Do not give weird, fancy, or unrelated email IDs. The ID should most preferably be made from only your full name or name followed by 1 or 2 numbers.
4. PHYSICAL ADDRESS
Including your address on a CV is a debated topic. While it was once standard, modern CVs often omit this information to prioritize privacy. The employer would still want to have the address mentioned as it gives a sense of assurance that you are a genuine candidate and are not faking on your resume.
Mention the address at the starting of the CV itself, preferably close to the same part where you mentioned the contact details. City, state, country, and pin code should be mentioned as most companies might be in a different location from the city you are living in.
What Not to Write in a Resume’s Personal Details?
Personal Detail is a generic word which is the reason why many people add unnecessary and extra details into the CV, considering them to be a part of the personal details category. But this is nothing but a waste of space. Any unnecessary details might negatively trigger the employer and pre-categorize you into his bad books even before meeting you personally. This is the reason why one should only add the personal details that are absolutely necessary and important. Also, adding such extra personal details would increase the length of the resume, which is something everyone should strictly avoid as a resume should always be small but informative. Remember that an employer might not want to spend more than 2 minutes on the applicant’s CV.
Some of the personal details that need not be mentioned are:
- Religion
- Marital Status
- Full Address
- Unprofessional Email Addresses
- PAN Card, Aadhar Card, Driving License, and any such identification details
Mentioning these details would lead to discrimination based on religion, sex, or nationality. Hence, it is advisable to avoid these details. Though religion, and marital status seem like key details to mention, these are preferred to be avoided until and unless the job you are applying for requires such information. There are also many laws formed by the government that give freedom to not mention such personal details in the workplace resumes.
Conclusion
A CV or commonly known as a resume, is the first step that you take in the journey of the job hunt. People do not know it, but this is one of the most important steps for cracking a job interview. As the saying goes, “the first impression is the best impression,” the personal details in a resume are the first thing that the interviewer is going to see about you. And if your personal strengths in a resume part is impressive, then it means that the rest of the selection process is going to be judged with a 20 or 30% likeability on you. Similarly, if the resume is not good, then even your best answers might not sound as impressive as they have to. Hence, everyone has to deal with caution and concentration while designing the personal details in a resume.
FAQs on Personal Details to Include on CV
Q1: What personal details should not be included on a CV?
A: Avoid including sensitive information such as your social security number, marital status, or date of birth. Additionally, omit irrelevant personal hobbies unless they demonstrate relevant skills.
Q2: Should I include my home address on my CV?
A: It’s not necessary in most cases. Including just your city or region is usually sufficient.
Q3: Can I use a professional-looking email address for my CV?
A: Absolutely. A professional email address creates a positive impression. Avoid using nicknames or overly casual addresses.
Q4: Is it necessary to include a LinkedIn profile on my CV?
A: While not mandatory, including a LinkedIn profile can enhance your professional image. Ensure your profile is up-to-date and aligns with your CV.
Q5: How far back should my work experience go on my CV?
A: Generally, focus on the last 10-15 years of work experience. Prioritize relevance to the job you’re applying for.
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