8 Things to Remove From Your Resume
Your resume provides a “snapshot” of the skills, experience, and accomplishments that mean the most to a hiring manager. So it’s important to stay focused – and cut out anything that doesn’t show how you are the best candidate for this job.
Here are eight things to leave off your resume:
- Empty Time. Were you out of work for a period of time? If so, don’t leave a gap in your history with nothing to show for it. Mention what you were doing during this time, whether it was taking care of a sick family member or backpacking through Europe.
- Meaningless Adjectives. Does your resume proclaim that you’re “hardworking,” “detail-oriented,” “honest” or “successful”? Great – so does everyone else’s. Anyone can type these words, so stand out from those who do by including examples of how you used these traits to get results.
- Links to (Most) Social Media. Resist the urge to share links to your personal Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram profiles. However, if you use LinkedIn professionally or have an online portfolio, this is a link you may want to share.
- Your Photo. In some cultures, a professional photo is expected with your resume. In the U.S., however, it’s generally discouraged. Unless it’s an industry standard (e.g., acting), skip it.
- “Fudged” Details. When you’re competing for a dream job, it’s tempting to claim you led a project when you only contributed, or that your three-month internship lasted a year. But these details can come back to haunt you. Instead, be scrupulous about the facts.
- Too Many Details. Even seasoned professionals with decades of experience don’t let their resumes go on for more than two pages. Neither should yours. One page is ideal, and in most cases provides enough space for you to answer the question “Why should we hire this person for this job?”
- Not Enough Details. On the other hand, you do want to fill at least one page. Even entry-level workers can typically find enough in their educational and volunteer backgrounds to fill this space. Focus on your accomplishments: What did you achieve at school or while volunteering? What skills did you build?
- Your References. Hiring managers will ask you for references if they want them. Cut the line “References available upon request” – it doesn’t tell the hiring manager anything new, and it wastes space you could use to describe your accomplishments.
At Burnett’s Staffing, our experienced recruiters can help you polish your resume, so you stand out from the crowd – and land more interviews. Are you looking for a job in the greater Dallas area? We can help! Contact us today to learn more.