What’s NOT on your resume can be just as important to an interviewer as what IS on your resume. More often than not, people have way too much information on their resumes. A lot of this information is irrelevant, does not help make their case and can be removed. Take a look at these 13 things you should take off or leave off of your resume.
Age
It’s illegal to discriminate based on age when hiring so don’t put a potential employer in an awkward position by putting your age or birth year on your resume.
Day-to-day tasks from previous jobs
Focus more on bigger picture achievements than simply listing daily tasks. Show how your day-to-day tasks made a larger impact on your team or the company.
Email address or phone number from your current employer
By including contact information associated with your current job, you are showing the interviewer that you probably job search on company time or that you just don’t care if your current employer finds out you are interviewing elsewhere. They will only assume that you will treat them the same way if hired at their company.
First and third person references
Your name and contact information will be listed so the employer will clearly know you are talking about yourself throughout the whole resume. Refrain from referring to yourself as “me” “I” or “Mr. last name.” Write your resume in first person but make sure to leave out the pronouns (ex. Established new and innovative techniques that boosted sales 20% over a two year time period).
High School
If you graduated from high school more than a couple years ago or if you have attended college since then, absolutely do not put high school information on your resume. Employers are more concerned about what you have done and accomplished since graduating high school.
Old jobs
Jobs from 10-15 years ago probably won’t do much in terms of getting you a job today. Leave off meaningless jobs from the past and stick to showcasing the last couple positions you’ve held.
Personal Information
Besides your basic contact information (name, personal email, cell phone number), you should leave off personal information such as marriage status, kids, health history, height, weight, religious affiliation, etc. Employers can’t legally ask you about this information and so there is no need to offer it up voluntarily, especially on your resume.
Pictures
Your physical appearance is irrelevant when it comes to getting or being able to do the job. It is also illegal to discriminate based on appearance so again, don’t put the employer in an awkward position and leave photos off your resume.
Reason for leaving your last job
You want to refrain from saying anything negative about yourself or past employers on your resume or in an interview. In the interview, you can explain why you are considering other opportunities in a positive way.
References
The statement “references available upon request” is considered dated and really just takes up valuable space on a resume that could be used for something else. Obviously, you will provide references if the interviewer asks so there is no need to state this directly on your resume.
Salary information
There is no need to put your current salary or your expected salary on your resume. Sometimes, you may be asked to submit salary information along with your resume. If so, include it in your cover letter or in an email. Make sure you do your homework and put a reasonable expected salary range.
Social media
You can add your Linked In profile with your contact information if it portrays you in a professional way and aligns with everything else on your resume but other social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram should be left off.
Unrelated hobbies
If it doesn’t add to your qualifications or show how you would be a cultural fit for the company, it doesn’t belong on your resume. A long list of hobbies or interests can be extremely distracting to the person screening candidates. Keep information specific to education, work experience and qualifications that can be directly applied to the job.
So, after reading this, is it time to update your resume? Of course hiring managers look at experience and skills but they could also be impressed with what you know to leave off. If you have any more points that you think should never be put on a resume, share them with us in the comments section below!