What NOT to Include In Your Resume--and Why

Conventional wisdom dictates that you should put everything in your resume that you can think of.  Or, does it? Maybe there are some things that would be better if they were left out. Let’s examine what these may be.

For starters, it’s probably not a real good idea to put what you’re making for a salary. This is true because if your old salary appears in black and white, it can severely curtail  your chances of getting a raise along with your new position. (However. this does NOT mean that if you are asked the question in an interview that you should refuse to answer!  On the contrary: be honest when responding to your interviewer—he will find out anyway.

Unless you have been asked for ‘supplemental’ documents such as a writing sample, a graphic arts design or a college paper, leave them out. It only makes it more complicated for the interviewer to wade through your material. Having said this, it is certainly a good idea to take these along with you to your interview.  If it appears appropriate to trot them out during your face-to-face, by all means do so.

Please avoid the temptation to put down ‘Married with 4 children,’  ‘single, but looking’ or ‘ Member in good standing of Alcoholics Anonymous.’ Your personal life is no one’s business but your own. Period.  You do not need to create any lingering doubts about your extra-curricular activities.  After all, he isn’t hiring you for those, anyway, and you don’t want to provide him with anything he can use against you.

And, for goodness sakes, don’t put down the meaningless phrase “References Available Upon Request.” Well, duh: of COURSE they’ll be available upon request: you’re interviewing for a J-O-B, aren’t you? Why waste that one line of space?

Similarly, avoid any other extraneous information such as religious affiliation or business ownership. (The boss could see the former as being objectionable and the latter as competition and decide that you’re already committed to something ELSE!)

Bottom Line: KISS  (Keep it simple Stupid) and Just the facts, Ma’am….After all, the more relevant your resume is to the needs of your prospective employer, the more interested  and motivated your interviewer will be in considering you for the position.