A well-crafted resume can be the golden ticket to your dream job, yet many job seekers overlook hidden gems that can make all the difference. While most people focus on work experience and education, there are sections of a resume that, if optimized, can significantly boost your chances of standing out.
This guide will walk you through these overlooked sections and provide actionable tips to upgrade them. We’ll also share some tricks on how tools like Allsorter can make the entire process effortless.
1. The Professional Summary: Your Elevator Pitch
Many job seekers either skip this section or fill it with generic statements. Hiring managers, however, often glance at the professional summary before anything else, so it needs to have strong action words that actually make an impact.
How to optimize these sections of a resume:
- Be concise but powerful – Sum up your experience, skills, and career goals in 3-5 sentences.
- Include quantifiable achievements – Numbers catch the eye. Instead of saying "Experienced sales professional," say "Increased revenue by 35% in 12 months by optimizing sales strategies."
- Tailor it to each job application – Generic summaries don’t stand out. Match your summary to the job description.
Allsorter Tip: If you’re in a rush, use AI to generate insights that highlight your strengths based on job descriptions. Tools like Allsorter can help you with that.
2. The Skills Section: Beyond the Basics
When discussing relevant skills, job seekers usually opt for generic ones without demonstrating how they apply them to real-world situations.
How to optimize these sections of a resume:
- Split into hard and soft skills – Show both your technical abilities and interpersonal strengths.
- Use industry-relevant keywords – Many resumes are filtered out by Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) if they don’t contain relevant terms.
- Back it up with examples – Instead of just listing "Project Management," add "Led a team of 10 to deliver a project 15% under budget."
Allsorter Tip: Use one-click formatting to adapt your skills section for ATS optimization, ensuring it’s structured for maximum visibility.
3. The Experience Section: More Than Just Job Titles
When it comes to the experiences section, people tend to focus on job titles and duties instead of emphasizing impact.
How to optimize these sections of a resume:
- Use the STAR method – (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to describe achievements instead of just listing responsibilities.
- Quantify your results – Instead of saying "Managed a team," say "Led a team of 12, improving productivity by 25%."
- Customize for each job – Emphasize experience relevant to the role you're applying for.
Allsorter Tip: Our one-click resume formatting ensures your experience section is well-structured and visually appealing, so make sure to try it out.
4. The Certifications Section: Proof of Continuous Learning
Candidates often assume that only formal degrees matter, but certifications show commitment to ongoing learning.
How to optimize these sections of a resume:
- Prioritize industry-relevant certifications – List those most relevant to the job.
- Include completion dates – It shows recency and commitment.
- Mention in-demand skills – Certifications in emerging fields (like AI, cybersecurity, or digital marketing) can give you an edge.
Allsorter Tip: Make sure to organize and standardize this section for a professional, polished look. Don’t just use bullet points and call it a day—actually make it seem impactful.
5. The Achievements Section: Underrated but Powerful
Many candidates either skip this section or bury it within their job descriptions. But, this section can be a golden opportunity if used correctly.
How to optimize these sections of a resume:
- Highlight 3-5 standout achievements – Make them measurable and impactful.
- Use bullet points – Easy to scan for hiring managers.
- Keep it results-focused – Instead of "Implemented new CRM," say "Implemented new CRM, reducing response time by 40% and increasing customer retention by 20%."
Allsorter Tip: Automatically extract key achievements from your experience section for a separate, impactful section. Allsorter can help with this too!
6. The Volunteer Work Section: A Hidden Strength
Candidates think volunteer work doesn’t count as professional experience—but it does, especially if it highlights leadership or relevant skills.
How to optimize these sections of a resume:
- Treat it like work experience – Use the same format: role, organization, impact.
- Highlight transferable skills – Leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving stand out.
- Mention pro bono or freelance work – If it's relevant, it adds to your professional story.
Allsorter Tip: Be careful as you categorize your experience, ensuring volunteer work is formatted effectively and chronologically.
7. The Hobbies Section: More Than Just a Space Filler
Some believe the hobbies section is unnecessary, but it can be a great way to show personality and cultural fit.
How to optimize these sections of a resume:
- Include relevant hobbies – If they align with job-related skills (e.g., blogging for a content role, coding side projects for a tech role).
- Showcase leadership & collaboration – If you run a marathon, lead a book club, or volunteer, it demonstrates dedication and teamwork.
- Keep it professional – Avoid controversial or overly personal topics.
Allsorter Tip: Streamline your hobbies section to reflect professional relevance and personal strengths. If you don’t see how a hobby fits into a desired role, don’t include it.
8. The References Section: To Include or Not?
Many resumes simply state "References available upon request," but this is a missed opportunity.
How to optimize these sections of a resume:
- Provide strong references upfront – If space allows, list one or two key references with name, title, and contact info.
- Include testimonials – A short quote from a previous employer can add credibility.
- Ensure up-to-date contacts – Avoid outdated details that could cause delays.
Allsorter Tip: Store and organize references easily for quick access when needed. This will bring down your anxiety and make you feel more comfortable about your resume.
Wrapping Up
Small tweaks can turn a good resume into a great one. Many job seekers miss these sections, but optimizing them can make all the difference. Instead of spending hours formatting and tweaking, let Allsorter handle it. Our resume formatting tool can ensure your resume is polished, professional, and impactful. Try Allsorter today and make your job search effortless!