Unlock Your Resume's Potential: Mastering the 'Additional Information' Section

Maximizing Your Resume: What "Additional Information" Should You Include?

You've meticulously crafted the core sections of your resume, detailing your skills, work history, and education. But what about those extras – certifications, language proficiencies, or volunteer experiences? Are they worth including?

These supplementary details can provide a competitive advantage, but only if they're relevant. The key is to strike a balance: emphasize information that enhances your application without overwhelming it or obscuring the essential details.

In this guide, we'll explore what "additional information" is valuable, when to include it, and how to format it effectively, enabling you to create a resume that stands out for the right reasons.

Defining "Additional Information" on a Resume

"Additional information" encompasses anything that falls outside the standard resume sections (Skills, Work Experience, and Education) but still contributes value. This may include:

• Certifications
• Volunteer experience
• Language skills
• Awards
• Projects
• Publications

These elements can add personality to your resume, bridge gaps in your professional background, and demonstrate your suitability for a position.

Important Note: Unless specifically requested in the job posting, references are generally not needed on your resume. Use that space for more impactful information.

When to Include Additional Information

Don't include every possible detail simply because you can. Include extra information only when:

• It's directly relevant to the job. For instance, an Agile certification is pertinent for a project manager role but less so for a content strategist.
• The job requires it, such as licenses, certifications, or language skills.
• You're a recent graduate or early in your career, and this information showcases your potential.
• You're transitioning careers and want to highlight transferable skills.
• Volunteer work or personal projects highlight your commitment, leadership potential, or skills not demonstrated elsewhere.
• You have awards that reflect your expertise and accomplishments.
• Certifications or training demonstrate initiative, ongoing learning, or technical skills.
• You speak other languages, and the job involves communication or global teams.
• You're explaining a career gap and want to show continued activity or learning.
• The organization values volunteer work, such as mission-driven or non-profit entities.

Examples of Valuable "Additional" Resume Sections

Depending on your background and the job requirements, certain types of supplementary information will be more relevant. Here are six common sections:

1. Certifications, Licenses, and Training

These are crucial in regulated or technical fields like IT, finance, healthcare, and construction. Recent training can also demonstrate your commitment to professional development in any field. Include only relevant certifications, listing the certification name, issuing body, completion date (and expiration date, if applicable).

For example:

Certified Project Management Professional (PMP) - Project Management Institute - June 2023

If a certification is required or mentioned in the job posting, highlight it in your summary as well.

2. Awards and Scholarships

Awards showcase excellence, leadership, or recognition, and are valuable for all career stages. List the award name, awarding organization, and date received.

For example:

Employee of the Month - Acme Corporation - March 2024

3. Volunteer Experience

Volunteer work demonstrates initiative, leadership, and soft skills, particularly useful for career changers, students, or those with employment gaps. Include your role, organization name, dates of involvement, and key contributions.

For example:

Volunteer Coordinator - Local Food Bank - 2021-2023 - Managed volunteer schedules, organized food drives, and increased donations by 15%.

4. Publications

This section is relevant in academic, research, journalism, or content-focused roles. List articles, blogs, white papers, or other publications in reputable journals or platforms, ensuring relevance to your target role.

5. Languages

Multilingual skills are valuable in customer service, healthcare, hospitality, and global roles. State the language and your proficiency level (using a recognized scale like ILR or CEFR). This can be a separate section or included in your Skills section. Be honest about your abilities.

For example:

Spanish - Conversational

6. Projects

Projects demonstrate real-world skills, particularly for those early in their careers or changing industries. Include the project name, your role, a description including skills used, measurable results (if any), and dates.

For example:

Website Redesign Project - Led the redesign of the company website, resulting in a 20% increase in user engagement.

Formatting Additional Sections

Ensure readability for both hiring managers and ATS software by:

• Placing these sections after your core sections (Skills, Work Experience, Education), unless something is highly relevant (like a required certification).
• Using clear headings like "Certifications," "Projects," or "Volunteer Work."
• Using bullet points for easy scanning.
• Avoiding graphics, images, bright colors, and fancy fonts that can hinder ATS parsing.
• Leaving white space between items and sections to avoid clutter.

What Not to Do with Additional Information

Avoid these common mistakes:

• Inconsistent Information: Ensure all details support your overall career narrative. A resume focused on community work shouldn't include unrelated details without explanation.
• Random Hobbies: Unrelated hobbies take up valuable space. If you include hobbies, ensure they align with the role or company culture.
• Ignoring Cultural Context: Be aware of cultural sensitivities when applying for international roles.
• Overstating: Be honest and specific. Don't exaggerate your involvement in organizations.

Frequently Asked Questions

What additional information shouldn’t be on a resume?

Avoid anything that contradicts your professional brand, is irrelevant, or could be misunderstood.

Do I need additional information on my resume?

Only if it adds meaningful context or shows alignment with the role.

What hobbies can I put on my resume?

Hobbies that connect to the role or reflect valuable soft skills. However, prioritize more meaningful experience unless a hobby truly adds value.