9 Things to Never Do with Your Resume

Ok, so it's 9 tips and a few expanding points, it's not all "don'ts", it also includes some "do's".  But it's all relevant if you're doing (or not doing) it.

Tech:Job is going to include these kinds of tips from time to time.  Take them or leave them.  Some of these points (objective statement, notably) differ depending on who you talk to.  Other points you ignore at your own peril: long resumes don't get read, and including irrelevant personal information that can actually hurt your chances for getting the job, for instance.

Enjoy! 

1. Cut out all the irrelevant work experiences.  You want to cut the clutter so HR, the Hiring manager, or Recruiter see's why you're a good fit quickly.  Do you need job from high school listed?  That one's pretty obvious, but what about other jobs that don't sell you for the one you're trying to get right now?

While we're at it: Don't list Hobbies.  It's clutter.  None of the people you want to impress to give you the job cares about it.  Remember: focus. 

2. Don't list irrelevant personal stuff: marital status, religious preference, social security numbers, where you grew up, country of origin, etc.  Some of this is illegal for employers to ask you.  It can hurt you to offer the information up, it doesn't help you, and it's unnecessary.  Declutter.

"You have on average 6-9 seconds for your resume to make an impression and get the viewer to look longer.  Don't waste it with unnecessary info."

While we're at it: Don't give them the chance to guess your age.  So removing date of birth (DOB), and possibly removing graduation dates on your Education.  This is more relevant if you think you may be discriminated from a position because of your age.  It's not legal, but that doesn't mean it can't happen.  Be smart. 

3. Don't let your resume exceed one page.  At the risk of being repetitive: six to nine seconds... make it count. 

4. Don't write your resume in the third person.  Hopefully this one is obvious.  We know you wrote your resume, so instead of writing "Mark developed....", instead write simply "developed", and then what you did. 

5. Don't include references.  If they need them, they will ask for you at the appropriate stage in the process. 

6. Don't use an unprofessional, 'vanity' email.  joe_rocks_it19@yahoo.com, jojosparkles@gmail.com, etc.  Use a professional email like jsmith@aol.com, or mwilliams@gmail.com.  Yeah, your friends think you rock, but the hiring manager will be less than impressed.  Make a new one. It takes minutes and it's free 

7. There's no need to identify your phone number.... as a phone number, or  email address as an email address. It's obvious what they are.  Simply list them by your name.  No: Phone: 206-555-1212   Yes: 206-555-1212

8. Don't include your current business contact info.  You don't want them calling you at work.  It can be embarrassing and awkward.  List personal contact info only.

9. Get rid of the objective. Since you applied, it's obvious you want the job.  This is one you will see disagreement about.  Some people advocate the use of it for a selling statement for what you bring to the organization.  If used as a selling tool, maybe.  However, beware of cliché phrases like "team player", etc.  The other situation where possibly useful is if you are switching fields, then explaining what you are after makes sense - you're helping the viewer understand.  But if your objective is generic "to obtain X position at Y company" when you are sending the resume in for x job at Y company already, then see above about focusing and getting to the point.

Happy hunting!  And check out our current listings.
- the Tech:Job team