The Art of the First Impression: Creating the Perfect Contact Section for Your Resume

Though unassuming in size, the Contact Section creates a strong first impression, conveys credibility, and makes it simple for a recruiter, hiring manager, or a networking contact to reach you. This short guide will walk you through a clear, modern approach to formatting your Contact Section so it works seamlessly with the rest of your resume.

1. Why the Contact Section Matters

The contact section has two key purposes:

1. Establish your identity with a clean, professional layout.

2. Make it effortless for employers to contact you.

A well-structured contact section supports the flow of your resume and sets a confident tone for what follows.

2. Your Name: The Visual Anchor of the Page

Your name is the most prominent element in your resume header, and naturally it’s the visual starting point for the reader.

Best Practices for Name Formatting:

• Font Size: 20 - 26 points, noticeably larger than body text.

• Weight: Bold for emphasis.

• Style: ALL CAPS or Small Caps for a professional, consistent look.

• Consistency: Match the styling of your name in the header across your resume, cover letter, and other professional correspondence. If your resume’s design uses color, make sure it is well-balanced with other uses of color throughout your resume.

3. The Contact Line: Clear, Concise, and Easy to Read

Place your contact line directly beneath your name. Keep it in one horizontal row for quick scanning.

Recommended Format:

City, State | Phone Number | Professional Email | LinkedIn | Portfolio | GitHub

Location

• Use City, State only -- this is the standard and also protects your privacy.

• If you live in a rural area, you can list the nearest major city.

Phone Number

• Priovide a number you control directly. Use a phone number format like 534-345-6789. Don’t use parentheses around the area code.

• On a related note, ensure that your voicemail is set to a clear, professional greeting.

Email

• Choose a professional address (e.g., firstname.lastname@email.com).

• Avoid addresses that could appear outdated or casual.

Online Profiles

• Include only professional, current, and relevant profiles.

• Hyperlink the profile name instead of pasting the entire raw URL. This helps to keep your contact information to a single line. Including long links can be distracting to your readers.

• Portfolios, GitHub, or other online links should be included if they align with your career goals.

Font Size

Keep it the same size or just slightly larger than your resume body text, to maintain a visual balance and readability.

4. The Divider: A Simple Design Element

A thin horizontal line below your contact line creates a clean visual break between your personal information and the main body of your resume.

Best Practices:

• Style: Solid line in a neutral or muted brand color.

• Weight: 1 point or 1.5 points.

• Purpose: Guides the reader’s eye without distracting from the text.

5. Common Enhancements for a Professional Finish

• Include only links to profiles or portfolios that are complete and relevant.

• Ensure every element is current; no outdated phone numbers, email addresses, or inactive links.

6. How This Section Supports the Rest of Your Resume

When your contact section is well-organized, it contributes to building immediate interest. It signals attention to detail, and sets the stage for your Summary, Experience, and Achievements sections.

7. Final Takeaway

The Contact Section may be small, but its impact is significant. By keeping it clean, consistent, and fresh, you ensure the first impression of your resume is positive and professional.

Fast Resume Advice: The FitTheJob.com Resume Builder applies all of these best practices automatically, taking care of the formatting for you.

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