15 Things You Should Not Include In Your Resume

When you are looking for a job, preparing a resume is mandatory. Resume is your blank canvas, a dedicated space to showcase your skills and experiences to potential employers. While it's tempting to fill it with everything you've ever accomplished, there are certain things you should not put there.

In the current job market, where a recruiter can accept 250 resumes for a single vacant job, a resume with unnecessary details can easily be neglected. Focus on streamlining your resume by only including the necessities related to the positions you are applying for. Let's explore the 15 things you should not include in your resume to ensure yours stands out from the crowd.

1. Resume Objective Statements

Even though it was previously considered essential to be put on a resume, objective statements (e.g., "Seeking a challenging position in X field...") are now considered outdated. They focus on what you want, not what you bring to the table.

Rather than writing objective statements, replace them with a concise and impactful resume summary. This should highlight your most relevant skills, experiences, and achievements and demonstrate how you can add value to the employer.

2. High School Information

Unless you're a recent high school graduate with no college or work experience, your high school information is irrelevant. Employers are primarily interested in your most recent qualifications and how they align with the position you are applying for.

Prioritize your most recent and relevant educational accomplishments. If applicable, highlight your college degree or certifications, as these are more important to potential employers.

3. Personal Detail Information

Personal details like your marital status, religion, and date of birth are also irrelevant. Furthermore, these details may expose you to potential discrimination based on factors unrelated to your professional capabilities. 

It's crucial to maintain a professional focus on your resume, ensuring that it reflects your skills, experience, and educational background. Therefore, limit your personal information to essential contact details, including your full name, phone number, professional email address, and a link to your LinkedIn profile if you have one. By doing so, you create a resume that prioritizes your qualifications and guards you against discrimination.

Also Read: Is Using the “Open-to-Work” Frame on LinkedIn Worth? Pros and Cons

4. Exact Street Address

Since the world is now mostly digital, where communication and information exchange primarily occur online, including your full street address on your resume is unnecessary. Besides, embedding that information can also pose privacy risks.

Potential employers no longer need your precise location to contact you or evaluate your suitability for a role. Instead, a simple and effective solution is to list only your city and state or province.

This provides sufficient information for the employer to understand your general location and assess factors like commute time or proximity to the workplace without compromising your personal information.

5. Personal or Unprofessional Email Address

An unprofessional email address, such as one with nicknames, numbers, or irrelevant references (e.g., "cutedolls12@email.com"), can negatively impact your image and lower your credibility when applying for jobs. It can create an impression of immaturity or lack of professionalism, leading potential employers to question your seriousness and suitability for the role.

To avoid this mistake, it's essential to use a professional email address that ideally includes your name, either as a whole or as an initial. If your current email address does not meet this standard, consider creating a new one for your job search. This small investment of time can significantly enhance your professional image and leave a positive impression on recruiters and hiring managers.

6. Hobbies and Interests

Unless directly correlated with the position you seek, putting hobbies and interests on your resume is unlikely to make a significant impression on a recruiter. Prioritize highlighting your professional skills, qualifications, and experiences that align with the job requirements.

However, if you have limited professional experience, consider incorporating relevant volunteer work or personal projects that demonstrate your abilities and showcase your initiative instead. These additions can provide valuable insights into your soft skills and potential contributions to the company, making your resume more compelling to potential employers.

Also Read: Top 10 Digital Skills That Boost Student Employability in 2024

7. Inaccurate Qualifications or Experiences

Faking your qualifications on your resume is dishonest and can severely damage your professional reputation. While it might seem tempting to exaggerate your skills or experience to increase your chances of landing a job, the consequences of being caught can be too risky. Not only could you lose the job, but you could also face legal repercussions, damage your credibility and future employment opportunities.

Instead of putting inaccurate information, focus on presenting your genuine skills and experiences in the best possible way. Be truthful and accurate in describing your qualifications, emphasizing your achievements, and quantifying your results whenever possible. By showcasing your true capabilities, you increase your chances of finding a role that is well-suited to your skills and experience, leading to greater job satisfaction and long-term career success. 

8. Negative Comments About Former Employers

Speaking negatively about past employers can disgrace your professionalism and create the impression that you might be difficult to work with. Potential employers seek candidates who demonstrate a positive attitude and the ability to navigate challenges.

Instead of focusing on negative experiences, highlight the positive aspects of your previous roles. Showcase your accomplishments, skills acquired, and contributions. If you ever faced a challenging situation, reframe it as a learning experience. Explain how you overcame the obstacles, adapted to change, or developed new skills as a result. This approach demonstrates resilience, growth, and a solutions-oriented mindset which employers highly value. 

9. Pronouns

While some debate exists within the resume-writing community about using personal pronouns, the generally accepted practice is to avoid referring to yourself by name or with pronouns like "I," "me," "she," or "he."

Instead, craft your resume using the "absent first person" style. This approach removes all pronouns from sentences, creating a concise and professional tone. For example, instead of writing:

"I managed a team of five"

you would simply state:

"Managed a team of five"

This technique saves valuable space on your resume and emphasizes your accomplishments and skills rather than focusing on yourself as the subject.

10. Spelling and Grammatical Errors

Even minor errors on your resume can leave a negative impression on potential employers, making you appear careless and unprofessional. A recruiter survey revealed that "spelling and/or grammatical errors" are the number one resume mistake that could cost you the job.

To avoid this mistake, start by thoroughly proofreading your resume multiple times. Read it aloud to yourself, as this can help you identify awkward phrasing or errors you might have missed while reading silently.

Print your resume in a different font or size, which can help you see your words with fresh eyes. Additionally, consider asking a friend or colleague with excellent writing skills to review your resume for grammar and spelling mistakes.

Also Read: How to Answer "Why Are You Interested in This Position?"

11. Charts and Images

While charts and images might be visually appealing, putting them into your resume can be ineffective. These elements can distract from your core qualifications and may not display correctly across various devices or resume formats, which can lead to an unprofessional impression.

Instead of putting more effort into embedding charts and images, leverage it to prioritize clear and concise text-based content that effectively communicates your skills and experience. If you wish to highlight your visual talents, provide a link to your online portfolio or website within your resume. This allows potential employers to easily access and evaluate your visual work in a dedicated space, ensuring a seamless and positive reviewing experience.

12. References

"References available upon request" is primarily considered redundant in modern resumes. Employers understand that candidates typically have references available and will directly ask for them during the hiring process. Therefore, including this phrase simply takes up valuable space on your resume that could be better utilized.

Instead of stating the obvious, utilize the extra space to showcase your most relevant skills, experiences, or achievements. This lets you make a stronger impression on potential employers by focusing on the information that makes you stand out. 

13. Salary History

Including your salary history on your resume can minimize your earning potential. When you reveal your past earnings, you set a benchmark that potential employers may use as a starting point for salary negotiations. This can limit your ability to negotiate a higher salary that reflects your current skills and experience, mainly if your previous compensation was lower due to some factors.

Also Read: How to Negotiate Your Salary in an Interview: Tips and Rules

14. Headshot (Unless Specifically Requested)

While a professional headshot might seem like a way to personalize your resume, it's often unnecessary and can unintentionally trigger unconscious bias in hiring decisions.

Instead of focusing on appearance, dedicate that space to highlighting your accomplishments and tailoring your resume to the specific job. Only consider adding a headshot if the employer explicitly asks for it. 

15. Every Job You’ve Ever Had

Your resume should highlight your most relevant and recent experience. Unless you're just starting your career or have decades of experience in the same field, there's no need to include every job you've ever held.

Concentrate on showcasing the last 10-15 years of your work history directly related to your desired position. This keeps your resume focused and impactful, allowing potential employers to quickly assess your qualifications. 

Remember, recruiters often sift through hundreds of resumes. Make yours stand out by focusing on the most relevant and impactful information. Keep your resume concise, easy-to-read, and avoid including these unnecessary things.

Ready to craft a winning resume and find the right job? At Talentport, we connect top talent with world-class companies. Apply today, and let us help you reach your career goals.