There are some things that should not go in a resume—ever—and there are others that you may include if they apply specifically to the job description. Here’s a little list to keep handy:
Never Include:
· Your age
· Your religion (unless it applies to the job)
· Your politics (again, unless it applies to the job)
· Your height or weight
· Your marital status
· Your sexual preference
· Anything about your health or physical disabilities/deformities
· Information about family members, including children
· Specifics about your personal interests or hobbies (be general, if you include these at all, and mention only those that are relevant to your career)
· Salaries and salary requirements (provide this later or in a cover letter, if you must, but not in your resume)
· References (provide these separately later on in the process, after an interview)
· Every course you ever took, award you won or conference/seminar you attended (summarize these and list only the most recent, if you think they’re relevant)
If you’ve been in the work world for a few years, you can also omit references to jobs you had while you were in school, especially part-time, non-professional jobs.
Here are a couple of online resources on what not to include:
http://www.bestresumewriting.com/writing-a-good-resume/your-education-and-credits/not-to-put-on-your-resume.html
http://www.resume-cover-letter.info/whatnottoput.asp
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The paradox of insular language
7 months ago
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Hi Cindy!
ReplyDeleteI would add to your list to not include a picture of yourself either. And, I think that your religion, even if it applies to the job, should go in the cover letter, not on the resume. My reasoning is that it is illegal to consider these things when hiring and you wouldn't want to put a prospective employer in a defensive position. (Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin).
Best! I'm loving your blog,
Monica Roman
Monica,
ReplyDeleteYou are right, and I considered including a photo on the list. I didn't because so many people now have their photos on social networking sites, and I have heard discussions lately about actually putting the photo on the resume. I don't agree with doing that, however. Not everyone is photogenic, and also there is no good reason to have it on a resume.
As for religion, if you are, say, a paster applying with a new church, your faith would appear on your resume, but in most cases it is inappropriate and a definite no-no.
Thanks for loving my blog!