6 Details to Omit from a Resume
A professional-looking resume will stand out in the pile of hundreds that flood in for the same job. Large organizations even use advanced tracking software to eliminate the weakest candidates based on the quality of the resume. So, the competition is tough. Simply using a good font, proofreading, and adding updated information will not cut it these days. You also need to avoid making the following mistakes while formatting the document.
6 key things to leave off your resume
Remove personal pronouns
Personal pronouns look good only on dating and social media profiles. Using these keywords in a resume is unnecessary because the document is a representation of yourself already. For example, using the word ‘I’ frequently while listing out tasks done, or responsibilities managed in the current position is irrelevant. It is your resume; the information accurately reflects your actions unless otherwise specified. Experts suggest writing the entire resume without any personal pronouns.
Don’t add any unnecessary flair
Formatting and giving your resume a proper structure will increase the odds of getting an interview. But stick to the basics, and don’t go overboard with excessive styling, fonts, and glaring headlines. More complicated the appearance, the fewer the chances of recruiters even looking at a resume. Readability is of utmost importance as there is a short window to make a great first impression. So, remove any unwanted flair and redundancy used to fluff up the document. Also, avoid adding too many buzzwords. They may sound great, but they are not useful. Recruiters skim through hundreds of documents every day; you only have a few minutes to make a lasting impact.
Avoid listing too much information
Keep the resume up to date with only what is relevant to the job application. Don’t go overboard with listing every soft skill or personal attribute. These tactics to gain attention put off recruiters as their primary focus is to hire skilled employees. Instead, list out achievements and highlights from the previous job. You don’t lose any credibility in the process as this information actually demonstrates how well you can use all mentioned skills on the job. Also, don’t add too much information from job positions held several years ago. Recruiters are only interested in knowing your current competencies and job proficiencies. Highlight the most recent professional attributes that align with the new company’s job criteria.
Don’t add all hobbies and interests
It is good that you have a happening life outside of work with many hobbies and interests to pursue. But hiring managers are seldom interested in knowing your ‘me’ time activities. It’s okay to list out interests if they align with relevant skills for the job. But, avoid talking about an obscure hobby in detail, as hiring managers will not read it, and the monotony of the portion will be a point against you.
Remove the profile picture
Unless you are applying for an acting job or any job in the media industry where you are going to be in front of the camera, why have an unnecessary headshot in a professional document? Many managers and recruiters constantly express their distaste when they come across a resume with an unnecessarily large headshot. Profile pictures can also possibly trigger unintentional bias when it comes to the selection process. Also, in large organizations, the resume is passed on to the next phase via a server system that may not support digital images. So having a picture in the document can also create technical difficulties that hurt your chances of actually landing an interview.
Remove extra communication details
Recruiters only need your current contact number and email ID to schedule the first round of interviews. There is no need to add your residential address or other locational details. Provide one or two phone numbers and ensure your contact email id looks professional. Also, don’t add any social media profiles except links to professional networking websites where you may have additional pertinent information.