Put the essentials at the top
Start the page with the name you use professionally, a current phone number, a professional email address, and your city and state. Put these details together in a simple header so a reader can find them without scanning through the document.
Check each item as carefully as you check a job title or date. A typo in an email address, a disconnected number, or an inbox you rarely monitor can prevent a straightforward follow-up.
Add links only when they strengthen the application
Include a LinkedIn profile, portfolio, personal site, or work sample link when it is current, professional, and useful for the target role. A designer might link to a portfolio; a software candidate might link to selected public work. Use the direct URL rather than asking the reader to search for you.
Open every link from the final PDF or application file before you submit it. Remove a profile with incomplete information, outdated work, or public material you would not want considered alongside the resume.
Leave out information that does not help
A full street address and ZIP code are usually unnecessary; city and state provide useful location context with less personal detail. Keep the header focused on the details an employer needs to identify and contact you.
Avoid novelty email addresses and personal social accounts. The common mistake is treating every online profile as an asset. Keep only the contact details and professional links that make the next step easier for the employer.
Sources consulted
This guide is an original synthesis of the following career guidance. Read the source material for its full context.