19 Things You Should Never Include In Your Resume

The Resume is probably one of the most important documents in your life, if you are a recent college graduate and looking for a job. This single piece of paper decides the course of your life. It’s importance is so that even colleges hold special classes to teach their students in helping them to draft their resumes well.

I remember being absolutely clueless about getting it right in my college years. So, if you are looking for simple and sure shot tips for perfecting your resume, you’ve come to the right place.

Here are a few things you should keep in mind to never include in your resume.

1. The Word “Resume”

Why state the obvious? One look at the document is enough to let the person reading it, know that it’s a resume. Adding the word at the top of the document can seem a bit redundant.

 

2. [email protected]

When giving your contact information, make sure you use a professional sounding email address, for example, [email protected]. If you do not have one, it’s advisable to generate one for the sole purpose of landing a job.

 

3. Marital status – Single
Sexual orientation – Straight

Nobody cares about these things. Definitely not your future boss. These things are and should be personal with no connection to your employment. Unless your job requires you to be unmarried, there is no need of including it.

 

4. “I want to be the next Steve Jobs.”

It’s a great thing to desire, but it’s better to keep your ‘enthusiastic fantasizing about your career’ to yourself. It’s for you to realise instead of telling it to the world beforehand. Keep it off the document.

 

5. “I” and “me”

It’s preferable that your resume doesn’t contain any personal pronouns. “I” or “me” recurring in the text of your document may give the employer an impression of undue self-importance.

 

6. “Go-getter” or “outside the box”

Get rid of anything that sounds like this. It’s for the employer to evaluate whether you are a go-getter or think outside the box. Rephrase them into mellower sounding words or hint at these qualities of yours in a subtle way. Use positive words like “achieved” or “launched” (in moderation, of course) instead.

 

7. Inconsistent formatting

If you use a specific way of writing a date, for example, 02/12/15; stick to it. Adherence to a particular format makes your resume look better and makes it easier for the reader.

 

8. A picture of yours

In some cases, it might be necessary, like modelling or acting jobs, but for places where your technical calibre is needed, it’s better you don’t add a photo in the resume. This also includes not mentioning your physical characteristics unless asked for.

 

9. Don’t mess with the fonts

Do not stick to the traditional Times Roman, as it’s outdated. Switch to Aerial instead. It’s also advisable not to use any fancy fonts or colors in the resume. Only artists can get away with it.

 

10. A bulky resume is a no-no

Too much text is not received well. Be concise in framing all your information. If it’s a lot, try putting it across in the form of short points.

 

11. Low GPAs

If you are concerned about your GPA being low, it’s better you take it completely off your resume. It’s really not that relevant besides a place where there are cut offs. Instead, you can add your university details and your significant achievements during your time in college.

 

12. “Won a burger eating competition.”

Do not include irrelevant work experiences like this one. It may be a great achievement personally, but has no relevance to your job whatsoever, unless it’s a job that requires you to be able to eat heavily, like being a connoisseur (The best job ever, if you ask me. :P).

 

13. “I left because it wasn’t fun.”

It’s better if you do not give reasons why you left your previous job. Speaking ill of your previous employers or company may reflect badly upon your character.

 

14. No negatives

Your resume should be a positive manifestation of you, hence keep any negative aspects of your life out. Also, avoid explaining any of them on paper. Unless they come up in your interview, avoid addressing them.

 

15. Stick to facts

Steer clear of exaggerations or mistruths about yourself. Make your resume as close to reality as possible.

 

16. Avoid strange hobbies

If your unusual hobbies are like “knitting for the past 12 years” it’s better you don’t mention it. Keep it more generic like reading, hiking or rock climbing.

 

17. Mandates or Demands

Do not include your past salaries or your expectations from the job you are interviewing for unless asked. It may make you sound haughty and aloof about the prospects of the job besides money. Also, save your requests from the employers for the interview. They do not need to feature in your CV.

 

18. Multiple phone numbers

Adding multiple contact numbers may confuse the prospective employer and they may contemplate giving up on contacting you. You wouldn’t want to be difficult for them to reach. Hence, put in only that number which is used most frequently by you.

 

19. The date you prepared your resume

This shouldn’t and doesn’t matter to employers. Instead, if you include it, it may become a signal for the reader that you have sent this to scores of other job openings and maybe aren’t interested enough in the position they are willing to offer.

 

So, recent graduates or those want to switch jobs, before you put your foot in the door and impress people with your amazing personality, go ahead and dazzle them with a stellar resume with the help of these tips.

All the best! 🙂