What is the standard order of sections on a resume?

The most common order for an experienced candidate is: contact header, professional summary, skills, work experience, education, then optional sections such as certifications, projects, languages, awards and volunteer work.

A typical layout:

• Header: name, professional title and contact details.
• Summary: two to four lines about who you are and what you offer.
• Key skills: a short grouped list relevant to the job.
• Work experience: most recent role first.
• Education.
• Certifications and training.
• Additional sections: projects, languages, awards, volunteering, memberships.

The guiding principle is simple: put the information that best proves you fit the job as high on the page as possible. That is why students and graduates often move education above experience, and why someone with an essential licence may list certifications near the top. Standard section headings and a predictable order also help applicant tracking systems and readers find information quickly.