Looking for a Job? Make it Easy for Recruiters to Contact You
Having the correct contact information on a candidate's resume is important to moving forward in the selection process. It is important that this section is free from typos, errors or omissions and at the same be attractive enough to engage the recruiter in a 20-30 second resume power scan.
Poor performance in this area is one reason that recruiters will discard resumes from potential candidates. Why? Candidates who can’t be contacted promptly will find themselves at a disadvantage from candidates who are responsive and easy to get in contact with.
The following checklist can help job seekers proofread contact information for content, relevance and accuracy.
Using multiple phone numbers? Recruiters won't necessarily call and leave messages at each one. Pick one or two at the absolute maximum.
Is your phone number correct and current? It won't leave a positive impression if the employer gets a message that your phone is disconnected or if you can no longer be reached at the number indicated on your resume. If for some reason your phone number is not reliable, explore using “Voice over the internet” providers like google voice. Alternatively, choose to only list an email address if that is most reliable for you.
Have you set up a professional voicemail? Is there loud music in the background? Is the voicemail in another language? Are there distracting sounds like dogs barking in the background? Keep it simple and clear.
At the phone number you have listed, will someone answer who doesn't speak English? Will a child answer? Will they be able to take a message for you? These are things to consider when deciding which phone number to list. If you’re listing a home phone number, be sure to let the folks you live with know that you’re expecting a call.
Does your email address look professional? Some of us have personal email addresses with handles that relate to our interests. For your job hunt, create a simple one that includes your name. While you’re looking for a job, be sure to check your email daily for employer leads.
Is your address above your name? Make sure your name is the first thing on your resume and is in a slightly larger font than everything else.
Are you using a font that is too small to be ledgible? Many resume templates currently on the market use a default font that is sometimes too small. Make sure the font is at least 10pt.
Check your spam or junk folder to make sure you are not missing responses from employers. It’s possible that employer emails end up in your spam folder if they are coming from unknown email addresses. While you’re job hunting, be sure to check your spam folder!
Do you have an adopted name as well as your given name? Use both if you’d like. Suggested layout would be to include your adopted name in parenthesis eg. Rosemary (Ginger) Thyme.
Make sure your name and contact information appear on all pages of your application. The name of the game here is to make it as easy as possible for an employer to find your contact info. Plus, a consistent letter-head on your resume and cover letter makes your application look cohesive and professional.
You don’t need to list your whole address. Listing your city is enough information for employers to know where you are based.
Make sure the font in the contact information coordinates with the font used throughout the rest of your resume.
Use text boxes to save space when aligning text side by side in the contact information section.
Use small, appropriate graphic elements such as lines of varying weights for emphasis to separate your contact information from the body of the resume.
If you have already done all the hard work to prepare your resume and get it in front of a potential employer, don't sabotage your own job search with errors or omissions in the contact information. Make sure that employers can contact you. It's the only way to the next step.
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