Resume Contact Information: What to Include and What to Leave Out
Mona Minaie
Author
Not every contact detail belongs on a resume. Here is what to put in your resume header, what to skip, and how to make it easy for recruiters to reach you.
Resume Contact Information: What to Include
If you are wondering what contact information to put on a resume, keep it simple: add your full name, a professional email address, one phone number, and your city and state or country. Then add LinkedIn or a portfolio only if those links help your application.
This section sits at the top of the page, so recruiters use it first. If it is cluttered, outdated, or hard to scan, you create friction before they even reach your experience.
The Short Checklist
For most job seekers, your resume header should include:
- Full name
- Professional email address
- Mobile phone number
- City and state, or city and country
- LinkedIn profile if it is current
- Portfolio or personal website if it supports your role
That is enough for most resumes. You do not need to turn the header into a long profile.
What to Leave Out
Some details create more risk or confusion than value. Leave these off unless an employer specifically asks for them:
- Full street address
- Multiple phone numbers or email addresses
- Old or rarely checked contact channels
- Sensitive personal information
- Links that are incomplete, broken, or irrelevant
The goal is not to list every way someone could reach you. The goal is to show the best way.
What Each Item Should Look Like
Name
Your name should be the most visible line in the header. Use the version of your name you actually use in applications and interviews. If you go by a preferred name, you can include it there.
Use a professional address that is easy to read, such as [email protected]. If your current email looks casual or outdated, create a new one before you apply.
Phone Number
Use one mobile number you check regularly. Include the area code. If you are applying internationally, include the country code too.
Location
In most cases, your city and state are enough. If you are applying across borders, city and country is clearer. You usually do not need a full mailing address on a resume.
LinkedIn or Portfolio
Add LinkedIn if the profile is updated and matches your resume. Add a portfolio, GitHub, or personal site only when it helps prove your work. For example, it is useful for designers, writers, marketers, developers, and other portfolio-based roles.
A Simple Resume Header Example
Here is a clean format that works well for most resumes:
If you do not have a relevant portfolio, remove that line. If LinkedIn is weak or outdated, leave it off until you fix it.
Optional Details That Can Help
You can include one or two extra items when they add useful context:
- A target job title, such as
Customer Success ManagerorFrontend Developer - Relevant credentials after your name if they matter for the role
- A preferred name if it differs from your legal first name
Keep these additions short. The header should support the rest of the resume, not compete with it.
Common Resume Contact Information Mistakes
Small mistakes here can cost you interviews because they make follow-up harder or make your resume feel less polished.
- Using an unprofessional email address
- Adding your full address when a city and state would do
- Including more than one contact method of the same type
- Linking to empty or outdated profiles
- Forgetting to test links after exporting the resume
- Leaving a typo in your phone number or email
Before you send any application, read the header once like a recruiter would: can someone contact you in five seconds without guessing?
Quick Decision Rules
If you are unsure whether something belongs in the header, use these rules:
- Include it if it helps a recruiter identify you or contact you fast.
- Include it if it directly supports your candidacy, such as a strong LinkedIn or portfolio.
- Leave it out if it creates privacy risk, clutter, or doubt.
That approach keeps your resume contact information practical and professional.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I include my full address on a resume?
Usually no. City and state is enough for most applications, and city and country works well for international searches.
Should I put LinkedIn on my resume?
Yes, if your profile is current and consistent with your resume. If it is incomplete or outdated, update it first or leave it off.
Can I use a nickname or preferred name?
Yes. Use the name you want employers to use when they contact you, as long as it stays consistent across your application materials.
Do I need more than one phone number or email?
No. One reliable number and one professional email address are usually the best choice.
