Personal Details in Resume with Examples in 2026

A resume is often your first introduction to potential employers, and the details you include can make or break that first impression. While your skills and work history carry weight, recruiters also look at how well you’ve structured and presented your personal information. Knowing what to include and what to leave out keeps your resume professional and ATS-friendly.

In this guide, we’ll explain the personal details in the resume that matter most in 2026, highlight global best practices, and provide resume samples and formats for both freshers and experienced professionals.

A resume is often your first introduction to potential employers, and the details you include can make or break that first impression. While your skills and work history carry weight, recruiters also look at how well you’ve structured and presented your personal information. Knowing what to include and what to leave out keeps your resume professional and ATS-friendly.

In this guide, we’ll explain the personal details in the resume that matter most in 2026, highlight global best practices, and provide resume samples and formats for both freshers and experienced professionals.

Key Points

1. Keep personal details simple and professional.

2. Essential info: name, email, phone number, location, LinkedIn/portfolio.

3. Avoid DOB, gender, marital status, religion, caste, full address, and ID numbers.

4. Add optional details only if relevant (languages, relocation, notice period, passport, etc.).

5. Place personal details at the top in a clean, ATS-friendly format.

6. Global standards differ, so check country rules before applying.

7. Freshers should highlight digital presence; experienced candidates can include websites or portfolios.

8. Add only professional social profiles like LinkedIn, GitHub, or Behance.

9. Sound CV keeps personal details secure and avoids storing data without consent.

10. Avoid common errors like typos, outdated emails, and messy formatting.

What Are Personal Details in a Resume?

Personal details are the basic pieces of information that identify you to an employer. They tell recruiters how to reach you and give context to your professional identity.

Typically, personal details in a resume include your name, contact information, and location. Unlike older formats that asked for date of birth, marital status, or religion, modern resumes focus on professional identifiers only.

Also Read:How to Write LinkedIn Profile in Resume

Essential Personal Details Every Resume Must Have

Here are the core details you should always include:

• Full Name 

Use your full name as it appears on official documents. Avoid nicknames unless they are your professional identity.

• Professional Email Address

Example: firstname.lastname@gmail.com. Avoid unprofessional handles like coolguy123@....
 

• Contact Number 

Provide a reliable phone number with country code if applying internationally. 

• Location

City, state, and country are sufficient. Full street addresses are no longer recommended for privacy reasons. 

• LinkedIn Profile or Portfolio Link

In 2026, recruiters expect candidates to have an online presence. Adding a LinkedIn link, GitHub portfolio, or personal website shows credibility.

What personal details are essential in a resume for Indian job applications?

For Indian job applications, the essential personal details you must include on a resume are:

1. Full Name

2. Mobile Number (Primary + optional alternate)

3. Professional Email Address

4. Current Location (City, State)

5. LinkedIn Profile / Portfolio (if relevant)

Everything else is optional unless specifically required by the employer.

Also Read:Good CV Examples for Your First Job

Why These Details Matter

Indian recruiters expect quick access to identity and contact information. ATS systems also parse these fields to match candidates with job location filters and communication channels.

Details You Should NOT Include: Common Mistakes Indian Candidates Make

Avoid adding these unless explicitly asked:

• Date of Birth

• Gender

• Marital Status

• Religion or Caste

• Full Home Address

• Father’s Name / Mother’s Name

• Aadhar / PAN / Passport Numbers

• Photo (only include for hospitality, aviation, or creative roles)

Optional Details You Can Include 

Include only if relevant to the job or required:

• Willingness to relocate

• Notice period / Last working day

• Passport availability (for export/import, shipping, or travel-heavy roles)

• Driving license (for logistics, field sales)

Also Read:Resume Summary for Freshers with Best Examples

Optional Personal Details You May Include

Depending on the role and industry, you can add:

• Personal Website or Blog: Useful for designers, writers, or tech professionals.
• Professional Social Media Handles: For marketers, influencers, or creative roles.
• Languages Spoken: Especially valuable for multinational companies.
• Nationality or Visa Status: Relevant only when applying abroad. 

Remember, optional details should add professional value, not clutter.

What NOT to Include in Resume Personal Details

Resumes from decades past included far too much personal information. In 2026, recruiters expect clean and professional formatting without irrelevant details.

Avoid:

• Date of birth (unless explicitly requested in certain countries).
• Marital status.
• Religion or political affiliation.
• Gender (unless industry norms require it, e.g., some government jobs).
• Full street address. 

Including these may not only clutter your resume but also lead to unconscious bias in hiring.

Personal Details Format: Best Practices for 2026

Formatting matters as much as the information itself. Here are key tips for an effective personal details in resume format:

• Place personal details at the top of the resume (header section).
• Keep the design simple and ATS-friendly (avoid complex graphics unless applying for creative roles).
• Use icons sparingly (e.g., phone, email, LinkedIn) to save space and enhance readability.
• Stick to modern fonts like Calibri, Arial, or Helvetica.
• Ensure consistency in spacing and alignment.
   

Example (Clean Header Format):

John Smith  

Email: john.smith@email.com | Phone: +1 123 456 7890  

Location: Austin, TX | LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/johnsmith

 

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Examples of Personal Details in a Resume

Personal Details in Resume for Freshers

Fresh graduates should keep details minimal but add elements that highlight digital presence.

Sample:

Priya Mehta  

Email: priya.mehta@gmail.com | Phone: +91 98765 43210  

Location: Mumbai, India | LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/priyamehta | Portfolio: priyamehta.design  

Personal Details for Experienced Professionals

Experienced candidates can include portfolio links or professional websites.

Sample:

Michael Turner 

Email: michael.turner@outlook.com | Phone: +44 7700 900123  

Location: London, UK | LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/michaelturner | Website: michaelturnerux.com 

 

Personal Details in Resume for Marketing Freshers

Show digital presence and any creative work samples.
 

Sample:

Riya Kapoor

Email: riya.kapoor@gmail.com | Phone: +91 90908 22110

Location: Delhi, India | LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/riyakapoor | Portfolio: riyakaporfolio.com

Personal Details in Resume for Finance Freshers
Keep details clean and professional.

Sample:

Sahil Jain

Email: sahil.jain@gmail.com | Phone: +91 88001 23456

Location: Mumbai, India | LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/sahilhjain

Personal Details in Resume for HR Freshers

Highlight communication-focused profiles.

Sample:

Neha Sharma

Email: neha.sharma@gmail.com | Phone: +91 99005 11223

Location: Bangalore, India | LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/nehasharmahr

Global Resume Standards: Country-Specific Differences

Recruiters worldwide have different expectations when it comes to personal details in resume format.

• USA/Canada: Minimal details—name, email, phone, city. Avoid DOB, photo, or marital status.
• Europe (e.g., Germany, France): Often includes nationality, sometimes date of birth. Photos are common in some countries.
• Middle East/Asia: Photos, gender, or marital status may still be expected. Always check local norms before applying.
• Australia/UK: Similar to US standards but may allow optional details like nationality for visa clarity.

Also Read:Skills in Resume for Freshers with No Experience

Which online resume builders help include personal details securely?

If you want to add personal details safely while creating a resume online, Sound CV is one of the best options. It doesn’t store your private information without permission, and all data is processed through secure systems designed to protect your identity.

You can upload your existing resume, add or edit personal details, and the platform keeps everything encrypted during the process. Sound CV also gives you full control over what you want to include or remove, so your resume stays clean, professional, and safe to share.

Can I add social media profiles as personal details in my resume?

Yes you can add social media profiles to your resume only if they are professional, relevant to the job, and actively maintained. The most commonly accepted profiles are LinkedIn, GitHub, Behance, Dribbble, and personal portfolios.

When Social Profiles Add Value

Include social media links when they:

• Showcase your professional brand

• Demonstrate skills, projects, or achievements

• Provide proof of work (design, coding, writing, marketing, etc.)

• Help recruiters evaluate your industry presence

Recommended Profiles to Add

• LinkedIn – suitable for all roles

• GitHub – software and engineering profiles

• Behance/Dribbble – design, UI/UX, creative roles

• Medium/Substack – content writers, marketers

• Personal website/portfolio – universal for creative or tech roles

Profiles You Should NOT Add

Avoid including:

• Instagram (unless you're a designer, photographer, or influencer)

• Facebook

• Twitter/X (unless you manage professional thought leadership)

• TikTok

• Any profile with personal or casual content

These platforms can distract recruiters or give an unprofessional impression.

Common Mistakes to Avoid in Resume Personal Details

Even a strong resume can lose impact due to small errors. Avoid these common pitfalls:

• Typos in Contact Info: A single wrong digit in your phone number or email can cost you opportunities.
• Using Outdated Email Addresses: Switch to a professional email (avoid domains like Hotmail).
• Overloading with Irrelevant Details: Stick to what adds professional value.
• Unprofessional LinkedIn or Social Media Profiles: If you share links, ensure they are polished and job-ready.
• Inconsistent Formatting: Details must be clean and easy to skim.

Conclusion

In 2026, the right personal details in your resume can enhance your professional image, while the wrong ones can weaken your application. Stick to essentials like your name, contact info, and location, and complement them with modern additions like LinkedIn or a portfolio link.

For freshers, simplicity and clarity are key add only what makes you stand out as a young professional. For experienced candidates, highlight your online presence and keep everything up to date.

By following the correct personal details in resume format, avoiding common mistakes, and tailoring your details to regional standards, you’ll ensure your resume creates a strong first impression every time.