15 Things You Shouldn’t Include in Your Resume

When it comes to creating a standout resume, less is often more. Revealing your skills and accomplishments is one thing, but the things you do not tell also count. Irrelevant or outdated information will only clutter your resume and overshadow your accomplishments. Think of your resume as showing off how you arrived at where you are today, keeping it concise and pointed will shed light on what matters. 

This guide will explore things you should avoid including in your resume to ensure it is professional and recruiter-friendly. Want to transform your hum-drum resume into a sleek powerhouse? Unmask what should not be there.

Keep it Professional: What to Exclude from Your Resume

Designing an impressive resume is essential. 75 percent of companies use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) that screen the resumes before they even land on human eyes. These advanced systems are built to sift through applications that do not fit certain requirements, so your resume needs to be ATS-compliant. Get noticed by adding ATS keywords with a free resume keyword scanner.

ATS is only the first challenge to overcome. It must also grab the attention of recruiters and hiring managers who will review it with a critical eye. To help make your resume not just another one in the stack, you need to know what to disqualify so it remains clean, precise, and objective.

Top 15 Things to Never Include in Your Resume

Let's get into detail about what are some things you should not include in a resume.

Personal Information:

Including personal information on your resume can be tempting, but it’s essential to know what to leave out. Here are some key points to consider:

Full Address: Instead of listing your full street address, just include your city and state. This helps protect your privacy and avoids potential bias related to your location.

Age or Date of Birth: Avoid including your age or birth date. This information can lead to age discrimination and is unnecessary for employers to evaluate your qualifications.

Marital Status: Information about your relationship status is irrelevant to your professional capabilities and can also introduce bias. Focus on your skills and experience instead.

Social Security Number: Never include your SSN on a resume. This poses a significant risk of identity theft and is not needed until you are hired.

Photograph: Unless you’re applying for a job in modeling or acting, skip the photo. Including one can lead to unconscious bias and distract from your qualifications.

Example:

Avoid date of birth, gender, and marital status. Only include the information that is necessary like your email and valid phone number

Irrelevant Work Experience:

When crafting your resume, it’s crucial to focus on experiences that align with the job you’re applying for. Here’s why you should avoid including irrelevant work experience:

Cluttered Layout: Listing unrelated jobs can make your resume feel cluttered and unfocused. Employers may struggle to see your relevant skills and accomplishments amidst the noise.

Lack of Impact: If your work experience doesn’t directly relate to the position, it may not have the impact you hope for. Employers are looking for candidates whose past roles demonstrate applicable skills and knowledge.

Wasted Space: Resumes should ideally be one page, especially for early-career professionals. Including irrelevant jobs takes up valuable real estate that could highlight your most pertinent experiences.

Confusing Career Narrative: A resume that includes a mishmash of unrelated roles can confuse employers about your career trajectory. They may question your focus or commitment to a specific field.

Missed Opportunities: By showcasing irrelevant positions, you might miss the chance to highlight experiences that truly showcase your strengths and align with the job description.

Instead, tailor your resume to focus on relevant experiences that demonstrate your suitability for the role, showcasing your skills, achievements, and professional growth in a cohesive manner.

Example:

A content writer at XYZ Company for Android developers is not necessary to add. Include only the relevant information like Junior Android Developer at XYZ Tech.

Unprofessional Email Address:

Your email address often serves as the first point of contact with potential employers, making it crucial to ensure it reflects professionalism. An unprofessional email, featuring nicknames, silly phrases, or random numbers can create the impression that you’re not serious about your job search. This can lead employers to question your maturity and professionalism, potentially hurting your chances. 

Additionally, unique or complex email addresses are easily forgotten, making it harder for hiring managers to recall your application. An email address that doesn’t align with your professional image can create a disjointed impression, while quirky formats may even trigger spam filters, preventing your application from reaching its destination. To avoid missing opportunities, aim for a clean and straightforward format, such as your first and last name.

Example:

Emails like coolboy.64@gmail.com seem to be very unprofessional. Choose a valid email address like robert.jeo1@gmail.com.

Salary History:

Including your salary history on your resume is generally unnecessary and can even be counterproductive. Firstly, sharing past salary information can pigeonhole you in salary negotiations. Employers might base their offers on your previous pay, potentially undervaluing your skills and experience, especially if your past roles paid less than industry standards. This can lead to a cycle of underpayment that’s difficult to break.

Secondly, discussing salary history can raise red flags for employers. They may wonder why you feel compelled to include this information or question whether your previous roles were aligned with their expectations. This could detract from more relevant discussions about your qualifications and fit for the position.

By omitting salary history, you can keep the conversation centered on your value to the organization rather than past compensation. Instead, focus on showcasing your skills, achievements, and the value you bring to the table. If salary discussions arise during interviews, be prepared to discuss your salary expectations based on the role, industry standards, and your unique qualifications rather than your history.

Example:

It's not suggested to add your previous salary like it was $40,000/year. Your focus should only be on qualifications and this step should be kept for later process.

Reasons for Leaving Past Jobs:

Including reasons for leaving past jobs on your resume can be misleading and often unnecessary.  Discussing reasons for leaving can shift the focus from your qualifications to potentially negative experiences. Employers are primarily interested in what you can bring to their organization, not the circumstances of your past roles. Sharing negative reasons, like conflicts with management or dissatisfaction with company culture can raise red flags and make you appear bitter or unprofessional.

Example:

Avoid the reasons for leaving previous jobs because that is not required like leaving a previous job due to a lack of appreciation. It is better to go for a neutral statement such as “Looking for new growth opportunities.”

Links to Social Media:

Including links to social media on your resume can be a double-edged sword. While platforms like LinkedIn can enhance your professional image, other social media accounts may not be appropriate to share.  Unless your social media profiles are strictly professional, they can present an unfiltered view of your personal life. Employers may come across content that doesn’t align with the professional image they want to project, such as inappropriate photos or controversial posts. This could lead to assumptions about your character and judgment.

Example:

Links to personal accounts such as Facebook or Instagram should not be added. Only include links to professional networks like LinkedIn, if relevant.

Duplicated Information:

Including duplicated information on your resume can undermine its effectiveness and lead to a less favorable impression. Here’s why it’s important to avoid this common pitfall:

Firstly, redundancy can make your resume appear cluttered and poorly organized. When hiring managers review dozens of resumes, they appreciate clarity and conciseness. If they encounter repeated details, it can confuse them and detract from the overall flow of your document.

Secondly, duplicating information can suggest a lack of attention to detail. Employers may interpret this as a sign that you haven’t taken the time to tailor your resume or that you don’t have a solid grasp of your career narrative. This can raise concerns about your professionalism and commitment.

Moreover, repetition can waste valuable space on your resume. Given that most resumes should ideally be one page, it’s essential to use every section to showcase unique skills and achievements. Highlighting varied experiences demonstrates a breadth of expertise and keeps the reader engaged.

Example:

Mentioning the same project or achievement in multiple job entries. Better to highlight unique achievements for each role.

Lengthy Paragraphs:

Including lengthy paragraphs on your resume can hinder readability and detract from your overall impact. Hiring managers typically spend only a few seconds scanning each resume. Lengthy paragraphs can overwhelm them and make it difficult to quickly identify your key skills and accomplishments. A cluttered layout with dense text can lead to important information being overlooked.  Resumes are meant to be clear and direct. Using concise bullet points allows you to present your achievements in an easily digestible format. This helps to highlight your qualifications without requiring extensive reading, making it easier for employers to gauge your suitability for the role.

Example:

Avoid long paragraphs because the reader can get bored. Include bullet points and short statements highlighting key achievements.

Hobbies and Interests:

Adding personal hobbies or interests that are irrelevant to the job may seem to be unprofessional. Unless your hobbies directly relate to the job you’re applying for, they may not add significant value to your application. Employers are primarily interested in your skills and experiences that pertain to the role, so listing generic hobbies like “reading” or “traveling” may not enhance your candidacy.

If you choose to include hobbies, opt for those that demonstrate transferable skills or personal qualities relevant to the job such as teamwork, leadership, or creativity. This way, you can provide insight into your personality while still keeping the focus on your professional qualifications.

Example:

It's not necessary to add a Guitarist in a local band for a web development position. It's better to include Volunteer Web Designer." if necessary.

Excessive Length:

Hiring managers typically spend mere seconds reviewing each resume. A lengthy document can overwhelm them, causing key qualifications and achievements to be overlooked. Keeping your resume concise ensures that the most important information stands out and can be quickly grasped.

Moreover, a resume that exceeds one page (for early to mid-career professionals) can lead to unnecessary repetition and verbosity. This not only makes it harder for hiring managers to navigate your qualifications but may also signal that you’re trying to fill space rather than present genuine value.

Example:

Avoid a 5-page resume with details of every job. A short, summarized 1-2 page resume is the best option.

High School Details (if you have higher education):

Including high school information can suggest a lack of professional maturity. Once you’ve attained a degree or completed significant coursework, it’s understood that your high school experience is less relevant. Employers expect to see your higher education credentials and the skills you’ve developed since then.

Instead of including high school details, focus on your higher education achievements, relevant skills, and professional experiences. This approach not only keeps your resume streamlined but also presents a more polished and mature professional image to potential employers.

Example:

Mentioning your school details like going to XYZ School is irrelevant. Include your higher education details like a Bachelor in Computer Science from ABC University.

Exaggerated or False Information:

Including exaggerated or false information on your resume is risky and can have serious consequences. Integrity is important in the hiring process. Employers conduct background checks and reference calls, and discrepancies between your resume and your actual experience can easily be uncovered. If caught, it can damage your credibility and result in losing a job offer or even being fired if you’ve already been hired.

Moreover, the professional landscape values authenticity. Hiring managers appreciate honest candidates about their skills and experiences, as it reflects a willingness to learn and grow. By accurately presenting your qualifications, you set realistic expectations and foster a more positive relationship with your future employer.

Example:

Adding false statements like “Managed a team of 100 people" if you led a smaller team. Add accurate information, e.g., "Led a team of 10."

Personal Opinions or Philosophy:

Your resume should be a reflection of your professional qualifications, not a platform for personal opinions or philosophy. While it’s important to convey your values, doing so in a resume can lead to potential misunderstandings or biases. Employers are primarily interested in your skills and how they align with the job requirements. Focus on showcasing your achievements and experiences instead, ensuring a clear and professional presentation that highlights your suitability for the role.

Example:

Statements like "I believe in a strong work-life balance." are not part of a resume. Only focus on relevant experience, such as "Successfully managed multiple projects under tight deadlines."

InconsistentTenses:

Using inconsistent tenses on your resume can create confusion and suggest a lack of attention to detail. It’s essential to maintain uniformity to enhance readability and professionalism.

For current positions, use the present tense (e.g., "Manage a team of five") to convey ongoing responsibilities. For past roles, stick to the past tense (e.g., "Led a project that increased sales by 20 %"). Mixing these tenses can make it difficult for hiring managers to understand your timeline and contributions, potentially undermining your credibility.

By ensuring consistent verb tenses throughout your resume, you present a polished and organized document that clearly communicates your professional journey and achievements, making a stronger impression on potential employers.

Photos and References:

Including photos and references directly on your resume is generally unnecessary and can detract from its professionalism. 

First, adding a photo can lead to unconscious bias, as employers might form opinions based on appearance rather than qualifications. Unless you’re applying for roles in industries like acting or modeling, it’s best to keep your resume free of images. 

Second, references should not be included on the resume itself. Instead, create a separate document for references that you can provide upon request. This keeps your resume focused on your skills and experiences without taking up valuable space. 

By omitting photos and references, you maintain a clean, professional look that emphasizes your qualifications and allows hiring managers to focus on what truly matters, your potential contributions to their organization.

Tips For a Professional Resume:

Following are the expert tips for building a winning Resume.

· Craft Your Resume for the Job

· Keep It Clean and Professional

·    Craft a Strong Summary 

· Highlight Key Achievements

· Incorporate Relevant Keywords

· Active verbs are key: Get to the point.

· Proofread and Edit

· Add Education and Certifications as Needed

· Showcase Soft Skills

· Give a Professional Contact-number

· Avoid Personal Information

· Design for Readability

Ignite your job opportunities with a strategic and ideal resume by creating them with a free AI Resume Builder.

Words Not to be Included in Resume:

There are a few categories of words and phrases that can harm your resume when shared. A few types of words and phrases you should keep in mind while building your resume.

1) Unprofessional Language - Avoid informal language, jokes, or slang, and maintain a professional tone

2) Personal Pronouns - The use of I, I, and mine should be avoided.

3) Negative Language or Criticism- Avoid using the terms failed, struggled with, or challenges faced and focus on positive achievements

4) Unnecessary Adjectives and Adverbs - Use specific examples rather than using the terms extremely skilled, very experienced, and highly motivated.

5) Overused Phrases - The terms hardworking, go-getter, dynamic, and innovative are vague and do not provide specific evidence.

6) Unsubstantiated Claims - Terms such as best in the team, top performer, and exceeded all goals must not be used. Rather ensure all claims are backed up with specific examples

7) Phrases Indicating Lack of Confidence - Use strong, confident language rather than I believe I am, I think I can, but my goal is to. Etc.

8) Filler Words - Words such as just, only, simply, and really can weaken the impact of the statements.

To ensure your resume makes the right impression, get your resume reviewed by a free resume reviewer.

Conclusion

While writing an effective CV, the top elements to consider are probably relevance and professionalism. Do highlight your experiences and skills including specific accomplishments using formal words. Recruiters will pay attention if your resume is different from the crowd and highlights the value of what matters.