Tipsheet
Maximizing the Additional Information
Section of your Resume
The Additional Information section of the resume is frequently is the most underutilized part of how we
can put our best foot forward. We get into the mindset that companies are looking solely for incredibly
studious people who are proficient in the different technical pieces of the job. While this is true,
companies are also looking to relate to applicants on things not related to the job. This Tipsheet will
explore how to improve the Additional Information section of your resume.
1) DON’Ts – here are the most common lines we see in the BCC that you should delete
from your resume today
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Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (everyone should be at this point – not interesting!)
Conversational (INSERT LANGUAGE HERE) Speaker. Fluency is perfect for this section;
just having taken a few intermediate Spanish classes doesn’t count! Only entertain
having this quality on your resume if you would feel comfortable if your interviewer
started speaking the language and conducted the entire interview in that language.
Interests include: Generic hobby 1, 2, and 3 (e.g., sports, cooking, and movies) See
below for some ideas on how to improve this type of bullet
2) Be interesting and specific!
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Identifying that you like soccer, as a hobby is one thing, saying you were a state
champion (even if it was in HS) tells the interviewer something different. Here are some
other good things to include in the Additional Information section:
Athletic achievement: anything you won, where/what context, out of how many
players/teams
Musical instrument: any cool places you have played or years that you played
Marathons, triathlons, and hiking: companies love these types of things; list a cool
one you did or a top place; if you summited a high mountaintop, throw that in there
Your Fun Fact!: what do you say when you play an introductory name game and you
have to share your fun fact  consider listing that here!
Company-specific line item: if you want a job in finance, consider including that you
have a virtual portfolio that you manage, if that’s true of course; if the job is technical,
list any specific computer/technical skills you have: HTML5, CSS, etc…
Certifications: from scuba diving to Bloomberg certifications, if you took the time to get
certified in something, that item is something that could be interesting to the interviewer
National news: were you quoted in the NY Times during HS? How about appeared on an
episode of the Today Show? Maybe you baked a pie that won 3rd place at the Orange
County Fair? It could be good to include one of these stories as well.
3) But I’m not interesting…
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Yes, you are. Sometimes it’s hard to think of interesting things you have done over the
course of your life; so ask your parents, close friends, and siblings to help you remember
the cool stuff you’ve done!
The Consultants in the Kenan-Flagler Business Communication Center proudly bring these tips to you. From resumes and
cover letters to presentations and PowerPoint slide design, the Center can help you with all your communication needs. Stop
by and visit us in McColl 2125, or visit our website for more information.
Kenan-Flagler Business Communication Center | McColl 2125 |  919.843.9843 | http://public.kenan-flagler.unc.edu/bizcommcenter/