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Resume writing is an important skill to have and the art of creating a great resume is vital to learn. While there are a wealth of important things to include in your resume, there are just as many things not to put on a resume when submitting a job application.
When you write a resume, you’re essentially building an argument for why you're the ideal candidate for the job so it’s important that you demonstrate relevant skills, relevant achievements and professional experience that are in line with the job posting in question.
That said, hiring managers and recruiters may only spend a couple of minutes (or less) making their assessment, so your resume needs to be clear, to-the-point and relevant. Despite this, many people – even seasoned professionals – include irrelevant or unnecessary elements in their resumes that can mean they get passed over for a role.
Navigating through the job search process can be overwhelming, especially when it comes to creating a resume that stands out. While there are numerous things to include in a resume, it is equally essential to understand what to omit. So, let's dive into our professional resume tips and more specifically, the things not to include on a resume:
Here are seven handy tips for what not to have on a resume:
Your resume should have very few personal details about you that aren’t work-related. Your hobbies, your goals, your star sign – these are all better left out of your professional resume – along with details like your age, race, marital status, sexuality, gender, or political leanings.
These things are rarely relevant and could potentially lead to profiling or discrimination. If a particular hobby or interest of yours pertains to a job you’re applying for, you can try to find somewhere else for it. For example, if you are applying for a media position and you have an interest in photography, there could be a way to work this into your cover letter.
Detailing your education should be restricted to your achievements – majors, awards, diplomas, fellowships and any relevant extra-curricular activity. Don’t let the education section of your resume get bogged down in the details of every subject or class you ever took; just focus on the most important parts. Most employers aren’t interested in your grades, but they are interested in the end result. List your academic achievements chronologically, and date them.
While anyone can spell-check their resume before sending it off, there are some mistakes that are harder to catch, such as colloquialisms and unclear, rambling sentences. A few bullet points succinctly describing your work experience should suffice.
Above all, whatever grammatical style you chose for your resume, keep it consistent, so watch out for discrepancies like using personal pronouns in one section and then dropping them in the next, or switching between tenses.
There’s no need to include negative things on your resume – jobs you were fired from, incidents from university, even run-ins with the police. Your resume is there to sell you as an employee, so be positive and enthusiastic. If there is something in your past that you know will be a red flag for a hiring manager, make sure you have an explanation ready to go so if it comes up in an interview so you aren’t caught off guard.
Having huge sections of text on your resume can be overwhelming. There is no way to know how many other applications a hiring manager might receive, but it’s a good idea to assume they’re going to be looking through dozens of resumes.
Your job is to tell a potential employer as much as possible in as little time as possible, so use short sentences and bullet points where applicable. By making the text easier to read, you make yourself easier to hire.
While you should tailor your resume to the job description and include relevant keywords, it’s important not to be dishonest. Misleading statements and incorrect information can quickly catch up to you at the interview stage, so avoid embellishing and instead focus on how your genuine skills and experience apply to the role – even if you don’t meet all the criteria.
Unless you’re in a creative field where visuals are expected on your resume, avoid taking up valuable real estate with images such as headshots or other graphic design elements. As a general rule, stick to formatting that is professional and contemporary without being flashy.
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Now that we’ve gotten through the things to NOT include on your resume, let’s dive into some helpful tips for building a professional resume that’s bound to stand out to a prospective employer. Our guide is here to help, offering the best resume tips on what to put on a resume and how to align it with the job description of your desired job title.
When a job posting is advertised, it lists the key skills and experiences the hiring manager is looking for. A tailored resume matches these skills and experiences from your employment history and relevant achievements. For instance, if the job ad specifies strong word processing skills, ensure that these technical skills feature prominently in your skills section.
The opening statement of your resume is your chance to catch the hiring manager's attention. It could be either a resume summary, highlighting your professional experience and achievements, or a resume objective, detailing your career goals. Make sure it aligns with the specific job and speaks directly to the job duties and requirements in the job ad.
Including relevant skills and experiences in the employment history section is crucial for creating a great resume. Exclude irrelevant jobs or skills that don't apply to the job description. Focus on showcasing hard skills, like computer skills, that are directly relevant to the job. If you are in the early stages of your career and lack professional experience, highlight your education history, academic achievements, and any relevant volunteer work.
The best professional resumes are typically one or two pages. Limit each job description to a few bullet points to keep the information concise and readable. This approach helps the hiring manager quickly identify your relevant skills and experiences.
Many companies use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to manage their hiring process. These systems filter out resumes that don't include relevant keywords. Terms and phrases from the job description are great things to put on a resume to increase its visibility.
Your resume should include your contact details, but limit personal details to a professional email address and, if relevant, a link to your professional or personal website or online portfolio. Marital status and personal attributes are not typically needed.
Using a resume template ensures that your resume sections are organised and that your resume appears professional. There are various resume templates available, choose one that best suits your industry and job.
If you're a recent graduate or the job requires specific education, highlight this in a separate education section. For roles requiring significant professional experience, this section can be more brief, focusing on the highest level of education achieved.
Remember, not every resume will look the same - it needs to be tailored to each specific job application. By following these tips and knowing what to include on your resume, you will stand out to hiring managers, increasing your chances of landing a job interview in your current job search. Best of luck!
