Your Resume’s ADDITIONAL INFO Section
We’ve looked at the OBJECTIVE Section and the EDUCATION Section on your resume; today let’s take a look at the ADDITIONAL INFO Section. While different career specialists will debate this one, I have always, always been an advocate of including an ADDITIONAL INFO Section on a client’s resume. (However, this is often the first section to get deleted if space and layout become critical factors).
There are not only different ways to design the Additional Info Section, but also different things to include in it. The basic Additional Info Section includes one main component: personal data. This information would include a general comment about your health and if you are a non-smoker. If you ARE a smoker, of course you don’t mention that habit; but, if you do NOT smoke, this is the place to share that great piece of personal info. For a prospective employer to glance down and see that you, a potential employee, will not be taking smoke breaks, will not come in smelling like an ashtray, and will be less of a health insurance risk for his/her company is a huge PLUS.
Also found in this area is a brief listing of non-threatening and non-potentially-stereotyping interests. Do not include anything in this area that would offend someone or bother someone else enough not to call you up for an interview. For example, do NOT include if you are a member of a gun club, an “anti-anything” organization, your religious affiliation, or that you collect empty beer cans.
Also in this section, mention that you enjoy spending time with others.
The purpose of this section is not only to show that you have a life outside of work, but also to, perhaps, spark a discussion of a topic of similar interest you may share with the person interviewing you.
Here’s an example of an ADDITIONAL INFO section:
Excellenth health; non-smoker. Interests: horseback riding, SCUBA diving, teaching my dogs new tricks, physical fitness activities, current events, and spending quality time with family and friends.
Without having first met the person, that example says A LOT about the person – she is probably in decent shape, takes care of herself, and enjoys both solo and group activities.
Sometimes, an Additional Info Section can include all sorts of other categories in addition to personal data. Depending on the person’s experiences, it could include volunteer work, unique accomplishments, and language skills. One of my clients, a detective with the Bedford Police Department, had the opportunity to carry (run with) the Olympic Torch; another client of mine was a boxer in the military – traveling the world in tournaments – knocking opponents out with one punch. (Now while THIS may seem like something not to include – I did mention the boxing career portion because physically he looks JUST LIKE one of those WWE professional wrestlers; by making a “big deal” out of both of these unique experiences for these two clients, it was often the first thing that potential employers wanted to talk to them about during an interview).
Another client of mine, a very young, bright, and motivated fellow, had gone on to law school right after he earned his Master’s degree. He didn’t want to practice law, he just wanted to learn about law. Instead of including his law degree under his EDUCATION section, I included it under the Additional Info Section. Had I put it with Education, prospective employers would have all thought he wanted to work in their law departments.
This Additional Info Section is thee place to shine as the well-rounded, interesting person you are; however, it is a difficult section to write. Hiring a professional resume writer who knows exactly what to say and where to say it can make all the difference in the world whether you land that interview or not.
