Common Resume Headings
To know which of the following subheadings you are going to use you have to know: Who
is this resume for? Resumes must be targeted to a particular employer, position or job
type. It is impossible to produce a resume without having such a focus. A one-size fits
all resume does not exist.
There are no specific headings you have to use. You must select or invent headings that
show you in the best possible light and are relevant to the job for which you are
applying.
There is no particular order in which you must present your information but one usually
puts the most recent or impressive information first.
HEADINGS ABOUT YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION
Name, Address, Phone No. Mobile, Fax, E-mail
- Personal
- Personal Data/Details
- Summary
- History
- Profile
HEADINGS ABOUT YOUR CAREER PLANS
- Objective
- Career Objective/Ambition
- Five year plan
HEADINGS SUMMARISING WHAT YOU HAVE DONE
- Career Overview/Summary
- Career Highlights/Achievements
HEADINGS ABOUT YOUR EDUCATION
Formal, Tertiary, TAFE, Secondary School
- Qualifications
- Formal Qualifications
- Education
- Relevant Education and Training
- Educational Qualifications/Achievements/History/Experience/Record/Background
- Academic Qualifications/Achievements/History/Experience/Record/Background
- Professional Qualifications/Development/Training
- Additional Training
- Training Courses Attended
- Short Courses
- Job Related Courses
- Conferences Attended
- Licences
- Certifications
- Accreditations
- Examinations
HEADINGS ABOUT THE JOBS YOU HAVE HELD
Professional, General, Voluntary
- Experience
- Employment
- Employment History/Experience/Record/Background
- Work History/Experience/Record/Background
- Professional Employment/Background
- Career History/Record/Background
- Community Involvement
- Community Service
- Voluntary work
- Positions Held
- Appointments
HEADINGS ABOUT YOUR SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENTS
Special achievements can include: Professional, Personal, Sporting, and Key
- Achievements
- Accomplishments
- State Representation
- Scholarships
- Awards
- Publications
- Portfolio
- Conference Papers Delivered
- Articles Published
- Honours
- Prizes
HEADINGS ABOUT WHAT YOU CAN DO
Areas of expertise could include technical: computer, keyboard, testing, languages or;
generic skills: communication, interpersonal, judgement, problem solving. Include
information about your level of expertise &/or length of experience.
- Knowledge
- Skills
- Technical Skills
- Skill Summary
- Areas of Expertise
- Main Capabilities
- Competencies
- Relevant skills
- Career Skills Summary
- Professional Skills and Achievements
- Summary of Qualifications
- Strengths
- Key Knowledge Area
- Key Competencies
- Demonstrated Abilities
- Personal Attributes
HEADINGS ABOUT THE GROUPS YOU HAVE JOINED
Professional, Social, Recreational
- Memberships
- Professional Affiliation/Memberships
- Positions of Responsibility Held
HEADINGS ABOUT WHAT YOU DO IN YOUR SPARE
TIME
- Hobbies/Interests/Activities/Leisure
- Community Involvement
- Community Activities
HEADINGS ABOUT OTHERS WHO WILL SPEAK
POSITIVELY ON YOUR BEHALF
It is not always appropriate to include these in your resume
- Referees
- References
- Additional References
HEADINGS WHICH ARE USUALLY IRRELEVANT
- Date of Birth/Age
- Place of Birth
- Nationality
- Ethnic Origin
- Marital Status
- Religion
- Number of Children
- Health
- Height and Weight