Choosing and organising resume sections

How can I tell if my resume has too many sections?

If headings take up as much space as content, or readers have to hunt for your main experience, you have too many. Each section adds a heading and spacing, so many small sections waste space and fragment your story.

Warning signs:

  • Several sections with only one or two items.
  • Similar sections that could be merged, such as Awards and Achievements.
  • Optional sections appearing before your main experience.
  • An extra page caused mostly by headings.

How to fix:

  • Merge related items: a single award can go in a job bullet; one course can go in Education.
  • Remove sections that are not relevant to this job, such as Interests or References.
  • Combine Professional Training and Certifications if you have few of each.

Aim for a focused resume where each section clearly supports your application.

Reviewed · by the ResumeBuilder.ae editorial team

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Templates to try

Free to edit and preview. Single-column layouts are the safest choice for applicant tracking systems.

ATS Classic

Single column

Use this template: ATS Classic

ATS Professional

Single column

Use this template: ATS Professional

ATS Modern

Single column

Use this template: ATS Modern

General guidance for job seekers, not legal or immigration advice. Employers and applicant tracking systems differ, so always follow the instructions in the job advert. Spotted a mistake? Email support@jobb.ae.

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