How to List Contact Information
1 min read
Format email, phone, LinkedIn, and location so ATS maps fields correctly and recruiters don't hunt for how to reach you.
ATS systems don't "see" a contact block the way you do. They hunt patterns: something with an @ symbol, something with digits, a URL containing linkedin.com. Inconsistent formatting breaks that pattern matching.
When Sofia switched from a European CV format to US applications, she kept her phone as +49 30 12345678 buried on line three of a four-line address block. Parsers mapped her location field fine and dropped her phone entirely. One formatting pass fixed weeks of silence.
Phone numbers
- US format: (555) 123-4567 or 555-123-4567 — pick one style and stay consistent
- Include country code for international applications: +91 98765 43210
- Ensure voicemail is professional — recruiters call without warning
- Use a dedicated address for job search if work email is monitored
- Avoid exotic plus-addressing unless you need tracking — some ATS strip special characters
- Customize your URL at linkedin.com/in/yourname
- Profile must match resume dates and titles — discrepancies raise red flags
- Paste the full https:// URL; ResumeFriendly displays it as a readable link
Location
- City, State is sufficient for most US roles ("Seattle, WA")
- Remote applicants: list city plus "Open to Remote" in summary if relevant
- Don't use only a zip code — parsers may not geocode it
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