Things NOT to Include
When crafting your resume, it’s essential to know what information should be left out. Including unnecessary details can make your resume look cluttered and unprofessional. Let’s dive into seven key tips on things not to include on your resume to ensure it stands out for the right reasons.
Personal Details
Your resume should have very few personal details that aren’t related to work. Avoid including hobbies, personal goals, your star sign, age, race, marital status, sexuality, gender, or political leanings. These elements are rarely relevant to your professional qualifications and could lead to profiling or discrimination. For instance, if you’re applying for a media position and have an interest in photography, consider mentioning it in your cover letter instead.
Your Academic Transcript
While detailing your education, focus on significant achievements such as majors, awards, diplomas, and relevant extracurricular activities. Don’t list every subject or class you took; instead, highlight the most critical parts. Most employers are interested in your overall achievements, not individual grades. List your academic milestones chronologically and include dates.
Poor or Inconsistent Grammar
Anyone can spell-check their resume, but some mistakes are harder to catch, such as unclear, rambling sentences or inconsistent use of grammar. Use bullet points to succinctly describe your work experience and keep your grammatical style consistent throughout the resume. Watch out for discrepancies like using personal pronouns in one section and then dropping them in the next, or switching between tenses.
Bad News
There’s no need to include negative aspects of your past, such as jobs you were fired from, incidents from university, or run-ins with the police. Your resume should sell you as a positive and enthusiastic employee. If there’s something in your past that you know will be a red flag, be prepared to explain it during an interview rather than including it in your resume.
Too Much Text
Huge sections of text can be overwhelming. Remember that hiring managers might be reviewing dozens of resumes, so your job is to convey as much information as possible in a concise manner. Use short sentences and bullet points to make your resume easy to read, ensuring you present yourself as an ideal candidate.
Dishonest Statements
Tailoring your resume to the job description is crucial, but avoid dishonest statements. Misleading information can quickly catch up with you during an interview. Focus on how your genuine skills and experience apply to the role, even if you don’t meet all the criteria.
Images
Unless you’re in a creative field where visuals are expected, avoid including images such as headshots or graphic design elements. Stick to professional and contemporary formatting without being flashy. Keep your resume clean and straightforward to maintain a professional appearance.
Crafting a Professional Resume
Now that we’ve covered what not to include, let’s explore how to build a professional resume that stands out.
Tailor Your Resume to the Job Description
When a job posting lists key skills and experiences, ensure your resume matches these requirements. Highlight relevant skills and experiences from your employment history. For instance, if the job ad specifies strong word processing skills, make sure these are prominently featured in your skills section.
Resume Summary or Objective
Your resume’s opening statement is your chance to grab the hiring manager’s attention. It could be a resume summary highlighting your professional experience and achievements or a resume objective detailing your career goals. Ensure it aligns with the job and speaks directly to the job duties and requirements.
Highlight Relevant Skills and Experience
Showcase relevant skills and experiences in the employment history section. Exclude irrelevant jobs or skills that don’t apply to the job description. Focus on hard skills directly relevant to the job, such as computer skills. If you lack professional experience, highlight your education, academic achievements, and relevant volunteer work.
Keep Your Resume Concise
Professional resumes are typically one or two pages long. Limit each job description to a few bullet points to keep the information concise and readable. This approach helps hiring managers quickly identify your relevant skills and experiences.
Use Keywords Relevant to the Job
Many companies use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to filter resumes. Use terms and phrases from the job description to increase your resume’s visibility. Including relevant keywords can ensure your resume passes through these systems.
Keep Personal Information Minimal and Professional
Include only essential personal details, such as a professional email address and, if relevant, a link to your online portfolio. Marital status and personal attributes are not typically needed.
Utilize a Professional Resume Template
Using a resume template ensures your resume sections are organized and professional. Choose a template that best suits your industry and job.
Education Section
For recent graduates or jobs requiring specific education, highlight this in a separate section. For roles requiring significant professional experience, keep this section brief, focusing on the highest level of education achieved.
Things NOT to Include on Your Resume
Crafting a compelling resume is a crucial step in landing your dream job. While including the right information is important, knowing what to omit is equally essential. A resume overloaded with irrelevant details can make a negative first impression on potential employers. This guide explores the key elements you should avoid including on your resume:
Maintaining Professional Boundaries
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Personal Information: Your resume is a professional document, so steer clear of unnecessary personal details like hobbies, religious beliefs, or date of birth. These details hold no bearing on your qualifications and can potentially lead to bias.
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Salary History: Including your salary history is not recommended. The focus should be on the value you bring to the company, not your past compensation. Salary negotiation is a separate discussion that can take place during the interview stage.
Highlighting Achievements, Not Shortcomings
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Negative Information: There’s no need to dwell on past job terminations, disciplinary actions, or legal issues. Your resume should showcase your strengths and accomplishments, not red flags.
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Unexplained Gaps in Employment: If you have gaps in your employment history, address them briefly in your cover letter. A simple explanation, such as travel or parental leave, can alleviate any concerns.
Prioritizing Readability and Clarity
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Excessive Text: Avoid lengthy paragraphs or overly detailed descriptions of your responsibilities. Use concise bullet points and action verbs to highlight your achievements and key skills.
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Formatting Inconsistencies: Maintain a consistent format throughout your resume. This includes using the same font style and size, spacing, and layout for all sections. Inconsistency creates a cluttered and unprofessional look.
Accuracy and Authenticity
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Dishonesty: It’s tempting to embellish your skills or experience to fit the job description. However, dishonesty can easily be exposed during the interview process. Focus on truthfully showcasing your relevant skills and qualifications.
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Typos and Grammatical Errors: Proofread your resume meticulously before submitting it. Typos and grammatical errors reflect poorly on your attention to detail and professionalism. Consider using spell-checking software and having someone else review your resume for any errors.
Visual Appeal (Unless Necessary)
- Images: Unless you’re applying for a creative role where visuals are expected (like graphic designer or photographer), avoid including photos or other graphic elements. These can take up valuable space and detract from the content of your resume.
Remember: Your resume is a marketing tool designed to showcase your value as a potential employee. By adhering to these guidelines and omitting irrelevant information, you can create a professional and impactful resume that grabs the attention of hiring managers and increases your chances of landing your dream job.
The Ultimate Guide to Crafting a Professional Resume
With these tips, you can build a professional resume that stands out to hiring managers. Remember to tailor your resume to each specific job application. By following these guidelines, you’ll increase your chances of landing a job interview in your current job search. Best of luck!