Ordering the sections in your resume is an important aspect of presenting yourself effectively to potential employers. Your resume serves as a marketing tool to showcase your skills, experiences, and achievements in a concise and visually appealing manner. A well-organized resume not only grabs the attention of the hiring manager but also makes it easier for them to find the information they need.
The basic-information section should include your name and contact information, and can also include any professional credentials or certifications that are relevant to the position you are applying for. This information should be prominent and easy to read, so it is recommended to place it at the top of your resume. Read more about this section here.
The next section should be your professional summary, which is the most important part of your resume. As such, it is crucial that it is placed as early as possible in your CV; the hiring manager should fall in love with your profile already at this point. This section should provide a brief overview of your skills, experiences, and career goals; it should tell the recruiter who you are as an employee. It is essential to customize this section to the specific job you are applying for, highlighting the qualifications that make you the best fit for the position. Read more about this section here.
After the summary, you should include your education and work experience sections. These sections should be listed in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent experience. For your work experience, be sure to include your job title, company name, employment dates, and a brief description of your job duties and accomplishments. Similarly, in your education section, list your degree or certification, institution name, and graduation date.
For almost all situations you should place your work experience section before the education section, since your experiences are mostly of much higher relevance to the recruiter. The education section could go first if: (i) you just finished school or university and do not yet have any relevant work experiences, (ii) your work experiences have zero relevance for the job you are applying to, or (iii) you are applying for a position where you are sure that the hiring manager will care much more for your education level than your work experiences. Read more about the work experience section here and the education section here.
Typically you place the skills section after your experience and education sections, but in a few cases it might be beneficial to place just after the summary section. This section should include any technical or soft skills that are relevant to the job you are applying for, such as programming languages, project management skills, or communication skills. Read more about this section here.
Finally, you may also include additional sections, depending on their relevance to the position. Mostly you do not need more sections than the ones listed above.
In summary, ordering the sections correctly in your resume can make a significant impact on your job search success. By presenting your information in a clear and concise manner, you increase your chances of catching the attention of hiring managers and landing an interview. The key word to focus on for the ordering of your sections is relevance. Ensure that the most relevant sections are what the recruiter reads first.