Hiring managers review your resume for just a few seconds to determine whether you’re an ideal candidate. While it might seem unfair, due to the competitiveness of the job market and how many applications are typically received for each opening, it’s simply reality. So, if you wish to receive a callback, it’s important to exclude these items from your resume:
Irrelevant Work Experience: If you have limited experience in the line of work you’re targeting, it’s tempting to beef up your resume with whatever experience you do have. But don’t do that. The primary purpose of your resume is to convince prospective employers that you’re the most qualified candidate for the position, and your experience should highlight applicable skill sets.
Personal details: It’s great to show a little bit of personality in your resume, but don’t include personal information. We all know to stay away from politics and religion, but details as simple as your photo, your marital status, or your health could raise concerns for potential discrimination. Many employers will automatically reject a resume with personal information to avoid any hint of discrimination. Don’t put the hiring manager, or yourself, in this position!
Hobbies: As a general rule, leave off your hobbies. It’s great that you’re passionate about fishing, travel, or fitness, and most employers want to hire well-rounded people. But remember that the point of your resume is to quickly show your qualifications for the job, and most hobbies don’t further this goal. The exception to this rule is if you have a hobby that is truly relevant for the job. If you’ve been flying RC Planes for 10 years and you’re applying for a job as a drone pilot, but all means, include this hobby.
Why you quit your last job: The interview is where you’ll discuss your past jobs (hint: don’t be negative), but the resume should focus on your accomplishments and qualifications for the desired job. It should not discuss the reason you left (or were fired), salary, relationship with management, etc. Like with most things, there are exceptions to this rule. If your company was acquired or went out of business, for example, that could explain away an apparent job hop or short tenure with a company.
Buzzwords: Almost every resume that hits my desk is from a “driven, hard-working, detail-oriented, team player.” You may be all those things, but taking up space on your resume to drop in all the buzzwords you can think of is not an effective use of your resume. Take the space to highlight career accomplishments and let your work show how your hard-working, detail-oriented style is effective.
Little White Lies: This (almost) goes without saying, but don’t include anything on your resume that is not true. Be accurate with your education, work experience, achievements, dates. You may not get caught, but if you do, you risk damaging the trust of your manager and co-workers and/or losing your job.
