19 Things to Shake Off Your Resume
Are employers turning you away before you’ve even had a chance to interview? Make sure your resume is up to snuff with these tips.
1. The Objective
Employers want to know what’s in it for them, not you. Replace your objective with a Professional Profile statement that showcases the benefits you bring to the table.
2. Fluff and Filler
Words like “dynamic” and “exceptional” sound nice, but they do not add value to your resume. Focus on skill-related keywords and quantify your accomplishments, instead.
3. References
You only need to provide references when asked. Move them to a separate document to keep your resume clean and concise.
4. Home Address
In this digital era, your home address is not necessary and it could hurt you if you’re attempting to relocate. Your name, email address and telephone number will suffice.
5. College Overload
Unless you are a recent grad, there is no need to include your entire college CV on your resume. Limit your college section to school name(s) and the degree(s) you earned there.
6. Potentially Polarizing Interests
You may be extremely active in your political party, but unless the jobs you apply to are directly related, it’s wise to leave potentially polarizing activities off your resume.
7. Part-Time Jobs from 10 Years Ago
Unless you are new to the workforce, you don’t need to include your college serving gigs on your professional resume. Keep the focus on your most relevant experience.
8. Cheesy Email Addresses
Email addresses like “BeerFan123” or “KutiePie789” might have been fun in college, but the email address on your resume should be some variation of your first and last name.
9. Your Work Email Address
If your personal email address is a little too personal, don’t be tempted to replace it with your work email address. Remember, your employer may be able to see your emails. Setup a new Gmail account just for your job search.
10. Third Person Perspective
You are writing a resume about yourself, not another person. Language like “Martha won,” or “Steven successfully earned,” sounds awkward and can make you seem a bit pretentious.
11. First Person Perspective
At the same time, you should not include personal pronouns like “I,” “me,” or “we.” The hiring manager knows that the resume is about you.
12. Basic Software Skills
In this day and age, employers expect candidates to know basic software like Excel, Word, and Outlook. Don’t waste valuable space on these skills.
13. Pages 3, 4, 5…
Always keep your resume to a manageable length. Two pages are ideal, even for experienced, seasoned professionals. Edit carefully and include only your most relevant accomplishments and details.
14. Potentially Discriminating Information
Remove all references to your age, gender, religion, marital status and ethnicity. Employers often ignore resumes that include these details so that they cannot be accused of discrimination down the line.
15. Multiple Phone Numbers
Even if you have several phone lines, it’s best to include one, preferably your cell phone. This keeps it simple for hiring managers and ensures you’ll be available to answer their calls.
16. Crazy Fonts or “Creative” Design
Unless you are applying for a graphic design position, it’s best to keep your resume simple, clean, and professional. Use a standard font and bullet points so that your resume is easy to read.
17. Salary Requirements
Some people include salary on their resume, but this is not necessary and can do more harm than good. Save salary talk for the interview process.
18. A Photo of Yourself
This could be the norm in the future, but for now it can be distracting.
19. Links to Personal Social Media Accounts
If you maintain professional, industry-related social media accounts, include them. However, do not provide links to your personal accounts (and make sure they are all set to private).
