Resume Refresh: Why Your Additional Information Matters in 2023

A resume is your ticket to impress potential employers with your skills, professional achievements, and career trajectory.

However, in today's cutthroat US job market, simply listing your work history and education will no longer suffice to make you stand out. This is where additional information comes into play.

Adding extra details relevant to your resume is a sure-shot way to grab the hiring manager's attention and increase your chances of getting shortlisted.

Going ahead, we will delve into the significance of including additional information in your resume in 2023, covering everything from highlighting your unique attributes to showcasing your personality and interests to ensure that your resume is the cream of the crop.

So, if you are willing to refresh your resume and notch up your job search, stick around as we give you all the tips and tricks you need to make the additional information on your resume thrive.

• What to put in additional information on a resume?
• How to write additional information in a resume?
• What details to avoid in additional information on a resume?

7 Types of Additional Information to Elevate Your Resume

Including additional information in your resume is important, specifically the ones that are relevant to your target profile and can help you stand out from other applicants.

While experience and education are the most essential components to focus on, mentioning additional information in the resume can give recruiters a wider picture of who you are.

Here are 7 types of additional information you may want to consider adding to your resume:

• Awards & Recognitions: Nothing like it. Mention any special awards or commendations that you have received catering to your field, like employee of the month, recognition for outstanding performance, or any other awards that showcase your skills and dedication.

• Publications: If you have written any articles or publications related to your industry, highlight them. This shows that you have a deep understanding of the industry and are committed to staying up-to-date with the latest trends and developments.

• Testimonials: Including testimonials from satisfied clients can help showcase your expertise and precision. This can also give hiring managers a better understanding of how you have helped clients in the past and how you can do the same for their organization.

• Performance Reviews: If you have positive job performance reviews from previous employers, consider including them in the additional section on your resume. This demonstrates your work ethic and extraordinary command of your field.

• Hobbies & Interests: Including relevant hobbies and interests on your resume can give hiring managers insight into your personality. This can help establish a connection with potential employers and make you a more well-rounded candidate.

• Languages: If you are fluent in any languages other than English, make sure to include them on your resume. Be it your native language, or any language that you might have recently started learning.

• Additional Education: If you have taken any courses or earned additional certifications related to your field, make sure to include them on your resume. This shows your commitment to professional and personal development.

Incorporating any of these additional pieces of information on your resume can help you stand out from other candidates and showcase your uniqueness.

However, be mindful to prioritize the most relevant and impactful information.

Also read: What contact information should you include on your resume?

Tips for Formatting Additional Information in Your Resume

If you have any of the above supplemental information that you would like to showcase in your resume, here are some tips on how to format additional information in your resume:

• Use Bullet Points: Bullet points will help you present additional information in your resume clearly and briefly. Bullet points help break up large blocks of text and make it easy for ATS as well as recruiters to quickly scan and process the content.

• Prioritize Relevant Information: This is important to revise that you must decide on what additional information to include based on its relevance to the position you are applying for. Focus on information that highlights your skills and experience related to the field.

• Keep it Concise: Avoid lengthy paragraphs or excessive details. Stick to the most important points and use clear language to convey your message.

• Highlight Achievements: Consider adding noteworthy achievements to the additional information in your resume, such as awards, recognitions, or even charity work to enhance your output.

• Use a Consistent Format: Make use of the same font style, font size, and spacing as the rest of your resume. Consistency in formatting makes your resume look polished and professional.

Also read: How many bullet points should you include per job on a resume?

What Not to Include in the Additional Information Section

Crafting a compelling resume is more than just highlighting your strengths and accomplishments - you must also understand what points to avoid.

Check out the following points for optimizing the additional information in your resume:

Personal Details

Information about your education and experience holds tremendous importance, whereas other personal details like your age, race, religion, or marital status must be avoided.

These details could unintentionally lead to bias or discrimination, and most importantly they do not add any value to your resume. Avoid including this type of information unless it is specifically requested by the employer.

Irrelevant Hobbies or Interests

Talking about priority, we recommend you consider hobbies or interests as the last choice for the additional information in your resume because no matter their value, it can backfire if presented incorrectly.

It might appear as if you were trying to fill up the white space in your resume. For example, if you're applying for a job in finance, mentioning that you enjoy skydiving probably won't be relevant or helpful.

Controversial or Sensitive Information

While you may be tempted to include information about your political views, social activism, or personal struggles, do not.

It is important to consider whether any such information could potentially harm your chances of getting the job. If in doubt, it is best to err on the side of caution and leave out any controversial or sensitive information.

Also read: What are the different types of extracurricular activities that you can list in a resume?

Conclusion

In conclusion, adding additional information to your resume is crucial in 2023 to make your resume stand out in a highly competitive job market.

Including details such as awards and recognitions, testimonials, relevant hobbies and interests, and languages can give potential employers a wider picture of who you are.

However, it is important to be mindful of what information to include, how to present it, and what to avoid.

To optimize your resume and make it thrive, use Hiration's next-gen ChatGPT-powered career platform, which offers a solution to every obstacle faced by job seekers across the US.

Try it out today to enhance your job search and take your career to the next level. You can also reach out to us at support@hiration.com for any queries or concerns.