Do you know the most important parts of a resume? Are you using them on your CV?
As a new immigrant to the United States, you are either looking for your first job or you are looking for a similar job that you had in the old country.
Or, you are thinking of switching careers! Yes, why not!
In any of these cases, you really need to refurbish and overhaul your CV (curriculum vitae). That’s why you need to know the five most important parts of a resume.
When looking for a job, a resume is an important part of the application process as this document is your way of introducing yourself to companies you wish to work for.
The objective of this post is to make sure that your resume, dear new immigrant, would have sufficient information to merit a second look. Hopefully, that second look will garner you a third one and could get you an interview for the job.
Here are the five most important and basic parts of a resume that you need to include in the document you pass to the hiring officer. This document (aka resume) is to establish yourself as an asset to the company (or companies) you are applying to.
(The illustrations and examples here are made using the CANVA APP which is a free graphic design tool – until you decide to go PRO it remains free.)
This page may contain affiliate banners and links ABOUT CANVA, one of our favorite graphic software, but you can avail of CANVA for free. It is only when you want to go PRO (Canva Pro) to have the full functionality of its graphic design capability that we may receive a commission, AT NO EXTRA COST TO YOU. You may read our full disclosure page here.
THIS POST BELOW IS ABOUT THE IMPORTANT PARTS OF A RESUME TO HELP NEW IMMIGRANTS FIND JOBS.
Parts Of A Resume: The Header Section
To start with, please do not put the word “RESUME” on top of your document. The hiring professionals already know what it is 
.
The header section is perhaps the most important part of a new immigrant’s resume. This section has the function of a business card, and it has to be concise and to the point.
The header section should include the information that states: WHO YOU ARE and in case of the hiring officer needing to reach you for an interview, WHERE CAN YOU BE REACHED AT.
At the very minimum, the header of your resume must contain the following:
- FULL NAME
- PHONE NUMBER (preferably mobile phone)
- PROFESSIONAL EMAIL ADDRESS
Most employers want to know where you are based, especially if the job requires that you physically report to an office. Otherwise, a precise location is not required. A mention of your city, state and zip code would suffice, for example:
Lexington, KY 40505
OTHER THINGS YOU CAN INCLUDE:
- Any professional websites and social media links and portfolio IF THEY ARE RELEVANT to the job.
- Any job title that you currently hold: Dr., Atty., Esq, PhD. etc.
- Any industry certifications: Are you a board certified anything?
EXTRA THINGS YOU CAN ADD:
You may add some standard and widely recognizable logos and icons in place of words BUT YOU HAVE TO MAKE SURE that these are properly executed. (E.g., LinkedIn logo, email icon, etc.)
Here is a sample of the Header Section:
Parts Of A Resume: The Professional Summary Section
The professional summary section is written below the header section of a resume. It must be the MOST CONCISE 3-5 short sentences of your most impressive accomplishments and skills.
You can start with your expertise (if any) and the years you have spent in this role. For example:
Detail-oriented and highly organized Customer Service Manager over 10 years’ experience working in both retail and service sectors.
Then you can add your past and current activities to polish your expertise even more.
Guest Speaker for the company’s annual Customer Appreciation Forum 2021. Currently enrolled in Customer Experience Certification Course.
Finally, you add what is your objective in applying for the job. For example:
Seeking to apply proven creative problem-solving skills to improve customer satisfaction metrics in a tech startup setting.
Here is an example of the Professional Summary Section under the Header.
Parts Of A Resume: The Work Experience Section
The Work Experience section of your resume must include, as much as possible, a comprehensive chronology of your work history.
This section must have:
- Your job Title
- Company name
- Address of the job
- Inclusive start and end dates for each role
- Accomplishments and responsibilities while on the role
The challenge for new immigrants like you is that you must add the COUNTRY in the address of the job. If the job is in the US, the city and state format would be enough:
Lexington, KY
However, if your previous job was in another country (most likely the country you have been in prior to migration) you really have to put it in. So, for a new immigrant’s resume, it would have this format:
Kuala Lumpur, MALAYSIA
This, below, is a sample of reverse-chronology (most recent one on top) Work Experience section on a resume.
VISIT THE FREEBIES PAGE
VISIT THE FREEBIES PAGE
VISIT THE FREEBIES PAGE
VISIT THE FREEBIES PAGE
Parts Of A Resume: The Skills Enumeration Section
There is no doubt that immigrants, like you, brought skills and talents to the US when you migrated. So many skills and talents, in fact. (If you need to know what these skills are and which ones are your strongest suits, go to another post to learn about skills assessment – FREE ASSESSMENT)
So, how do you put these skills onto a resume page?
Did you have a batting average in sales? If yes, you can write it this way, for example:
(As sales agent/manager) Exceeds sales target by at least 5% with upselling techniques and after sales service.
Did you create or improve a process, program, or activity? If yes, you can write it this way, for example:
Created a training manual for new members of the customer service team and streamlined the resolution process by 50% with 90% retention of knowledge.
Did you have several issues resolved? If yes, you can write it this way, for example:
Reduced the number of unresolved callbacks from 100 calls a day to 20 calls a day by documenting the problems and pinpointing the cause of most problems.
You can also review the detailed JOB DESCRIPTION of what position you are applying for, and you can tailor-fit the skills that you put on your resume.
For example, if the company is an accounting firm but the job is in customer service, HIGHLIGHT the skills that lean into math and problem solving with emphasis on customer satisfaction.
You can have a separate SKILLS Section, but you can also weave your skills into the WORK EXPERIENCE Section like this. (Using the Work Experience sample above):
Parts Of A Resume: The Education Section
Many immigrants like you have good education, some have multiple degrees even. The general frustration for new immigrants is coming over to the US and these degrees and certifications and licenses do not have the same magnitude and effect when looking for jobs here in the US.
But you have to put these degrees and credentials on the resume, anyway.
To be arranged in a reverse-chronology (most recent education on top), here is the standard format of the EDUCATION Section on a resume:
- Name of Degree/Certification
- Date (or anticipated date) of graduation
- School/Educational Institution
- Address of the School (For immigrants, include the COUNTRY)
- Any honors and distinctions
Here is a sample of Education section on a resume:
BONUS: No Headshot Needed
Unless you are applying for a modelling or an acting job, there is no need for your photo (headshot) on your resume.
According to NOVORESUME.COM there is no need to include a photo on a resume in the following countries:
- United States
- United Kingdom
- Ireland
The main reason for not including a headshot on resumes in these countries is out of precaution: To avoid being accused of profiling and bias based on looks and skin color.
But, according to NOVORESUME.COM you need to include a photo when applying for job in the following countries:
- Austria
- Belgium
- France
- Germany
- Portugal
- Spain
- Scandinavian Countries
- Middle East
- Africa
- Asia
- South America
The resume that I submitted to the very first company I applied to in the US had a headshot (as was customary in my native country). And, promptly, I was told to submit another one, this time WITHOUT THE PHOTO.
Needless to say, it caused a delay in the processing of my application.
VISIT THE FREEBIES PAGE
VISIT THE FREEBIES PAGE
VISIT THE FREEBIES PAGE
To recap: These five sections on your resume are the backbones of your job application document. The information on your resume is the one that the hiring officers will hold onto about you.
During the interview process, this same information on your CV will be the basis of many of the hiring officers’ questions.
Be sure to put your best resume forward.
Maria is just a chatterbox (on a mission.😋)
NO ONE AUTHORIZED her to spew all this MOMSENSE, but she is a complicated cat and so she feels that she must. Be advised and take a spoonful of salt for every opinionated post you read here. And please, please consult a professional for individualized advice on life-altering decisions.
Maria is just a chatterbox (on a mission.😋) NO ONE AUTHORIZED her to spew all this MOMSENSE, but she is a complicated cat and so she feels that she must. Be advised and take a spoonful of salt for every opinionated post you read here. And please, please consult a professional for individualized advice on life-altering decisions.
THIS POST ABOVE IS ABOUT THE IMPORTANT PARTS OF A RESUME TO HELP NEW IMMIGRANTS FIND JOBS.
