Don't Include These on Your Resume

If you are searching for a new job, crafting a professional resume should be one of your top priorities. For best results, your resume should include an overview of your work experience as well as a list of your skills and educational accomplishments. Unfortunately, many applicants include irrelevant information that takes up space without providing any benefit. Follow these resume tips to ensure your resume contains the right information.

Unless you are applying for jobs in the modeling or acting industries, a professional resume should not include a photograph. The hiring manager does not need to know your hair color or eye color to determine if you are a suitable candidate for a job working in an office environment. Including a photograph can actually hurt your chances of getting a job, especially if the hiring manager has any preconceived notions about people with certain looks. Keep things professional by submitting a text-only resume for every job opening.

Don't include irrelevant achievements on your professional resume. You should include work-related achievements, such as awards or industry honors, but don't tell the hiring manager that you bowled a perfect game or served on your school's homecoming court. Every piece of information in your resume should relate to the job opening, meaning there's no reason to list your hobbies or personal achievements.

If you make it to the final stages of the hiring process, the hiring manager will ask for references at that time, so you shouldn't put them in your professional resume. Use the extra space to outline your work-related accomplishments or list any industry certifications you have obtained. When it's time to provide references, consider tailoring your reference list to each particular job. One reference might be able to provide a lot of information about your technical skills while another reference might be better suited to talking about your soft skills.

Don't use whimsical fonts or unusual designs unless you are applying for a job as a graphic designer. Unusual formatting is often distracting to the hiring manager, which can hurt your chances of making it through the initial screening process. When you finish writing your professional resume, read it aloud to ensure you have not made any errors. It's also a good idea to have someone you trust read it in case there are any errors you might have missed.

Finally, avoid including information that could hurt your chances of being considered for the job. If you have a personal email address that includes words that might be objectionable to hiring managers, create a new address specifically for job hunting. Don't use your current employer's name, address or phone number. Avoid including personal information, such as your race or ethnicity, anywhere in your resume.

You only have a few seconds to make a good impression on a hiring manager. Don't create a bad impression by including the wrong information in your professional resume. If you follow these resume tips, you'll have a better chance of getting the job you want.

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