Personal Section on Resume?

Charlesroy100

How do you guys feel about that? The webinar from last night got me thinking. Mine would mention that I am the sole provider for my mother and sister since my father’s passing in 2013.

Paul Caint

Eh I'm unsure. Whatever they said in the webinar I would follow that, since I'm no expert.

But when I was hiring interns, and when my colleagues were also hiring, we always viewed the "personal" section of resumes as kind of tacky..

Especially since you have the opportunity to write a personal statement, a diversity statement, and for many schools optional addenda, the resume seems like an awkward or redundant place to put that kind of stuff. Something as big as being a sole provider for your family for the past four years should be something you delve into and explain and really flush out in a personal statement. To just offhandedly mention it in a resume wouldn't do something of such gravity justice.

But again I'm no expert, just my thoughts.

akistotle

I did not attend the webinar, but my resume (edited by a professional) has a personal section. I made a list of languages I speak and some interests.

I like Sample Resumes on Job Search Toolkit page of HLS:
http://hls.harvard.edu/dept/opia/job-search-toolkit/sample-resumes/

StellaBlue

I've always viewed the personal section as a way to put in something sort of fun that wouldn't come across anywhere else on your application. I mention that I bake bread and am a certified Wilderness First Responder.

@Charlesroy100, where you have something serious and valuable to say, I personally would put something as important as providing for your family in a diversity statement or personal statement. It'll be more likely to get the weight it deserves

Charlesroy100

Thank you so much everyone for your response. I decided to pull it from the Resume. @StellaBlue that's a great idea to put it in the diversity statement.