10 Key Aspects to NOT Include in Your Resume When Applying for a Job
Don’t put unnecessary information on your resume
About 250 people apply for every available job in today’s highly competitive employment market. A high percentage of businesses (95%) employ a piece of software called an applicant tracking system (ATS) to weed out unqualified job seekers.
Even if your CV is among the 25% that gets past the automated screening process and into the hands of a human recruiter or hiring manager, it still faces an uphill battle.
The typical recruiter spends just six seconds scanning a resume before tossing it in the “no” pile; this is understandable given the volume of submissions they get.
Don’t put anything on your resume that will prevent the potential employer from recognizing your most impressive skills and experience within the first six seconds. But how can job-seekers choose which information to highlight and which to leave out?
Some things that are not appropriate on a resume are detailed below. If you want to get your resume seen, use this checklist to make sure it doesn’t end up in the garbage.
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Always use job application form templates to prepare your resume
The things you’ve accomplished and the skills you’ve shown shine through in your application for a job. Your resume must include details that make the hiring manager want to meet with you.
Maintaining an up-to-date resume is smart, even though a job application is not required. In this case, we recommend using job application form templates. Why? It’s your best option. And a good up-to-date resume would also smoothly pass through the screening done by hiring managers through the ATS software.
A ready-made job application includes all the necessary information that a reputable organization asks from a potential candidate. And in this case, a template would provide you with the aptest information for the role or the job you will be applying for.
Here are 10 elements that you really shouldn't include in your resume if you want to stand out
1. Your current work contacts
Let’s pretend you’re in the midst of a job hunt while still holding onto your current gig. Including your current employer’s contact details (email, phone number) on your CV is a bad idea.
A potential employer probably wouldn’t go out of their way to contact you at work, but accidents can happen. Keep in mind that it is perfectly legal for an employer to read your email and listen to your voicemail.
There can be severe strain between you and your present supervisor if you are not fired outright for the infraction (you are using corporate property to conduct your job hunt and probably on business time as well).
2. A solid wall of text
If you want your material to be easily read, you should limit it to a minimum and consider how it is laid up. A hiring manager can quickly determine whether you are qualified for the position by reading your resume, and a well-organized resume makes that process quicker.
The structure of bullet points allows you to showcase your most relevant skills clearly, and it also allows you to make a series of direct connections between the skills listed in the job posting and your previous work experience.
Many hiring managers now use software that automatically reviews your application and assigns you a score depending on how closely it matches the employer’s specified criteria. To increase your resume’s score, utilize the same language in their posting and avoid including graphics, tables, or other non-text elements.
3. Not even too much of your past
You should remove any mention of high school from your resume if you enter employment. A more concise account of your undergraduate career can be written after you’ve worked in your chosen industry for a while.
Professionals should only provide their job history for the previous 15 years. You can include more detail about your work experience prior to your most recent position in a “Career Note” or a condensed “Earlier Work History” section.
Not only is it less relevant since it happened so long ago, but it can also make it difficult to keep your resume to a reasonable length and leave you vulnerable to age discrimination.
4. Unprofessional email addresses and social media URLs
If you still use an amateurish email address like [email protected] or [email protected], it’s time to upgrade.
Don’t promote your blogs, Pinterest boards about planning your wedding, or Instagram account documenting your dog’s daily activities.
This is a certain method to have oneself thrown out with the garbage unless you’re searching for a job in social media, where your stellar Instagram account might demonstrate your expertise in the field.
However, add relevant URLs, such as your LinkedIn profile or online portfolio links. Again, everything in your CV should be relevant to your desired position.
5. Providing irrelevant personal information
Depending on where you’re applying for a job, you can be required to provide various information about yourself on your CV. When communicating with potential employers, be careful about the details you provide.
CVs that include an image, date of birth, nationality, and marital status are frowned upon in several countries. If you use Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, or Facebook for private purposes, there’s no need to make such accounts public.
In other words, here is another chance to create a good impression. Consider the role you are looking for and how your skills and experiences fit the organization’s needs.
Those seeking employment in the art industry might highlight an interest in the exhibitions; those seeking employment in the nonprofit sector might highlight their community service experience, and those seeking employment in the sports industry might highlight their participation in various sporting events.
You might emphasize additional actions that illustrate your ideals and transferrable talents.
6. Pictures of yourself
When applying for a job, most people should avoid including photos of themselves. Years of training in legal have taught HR that this area is fraught with the potential for discrimination and should be avoided at all costs.
However, there are occupations where such behaviour is considered normal and even expected. Marketing to prospective customers in the entertainment business (models, acting), the media (broadcasting and journalism), the property market, and the consulting/freelancing sector are just a few examples.
7. A list of "untruths"
According to a recent survey, 78 percent of job seekers have lied on their applications, and 66 percent of hiring managers don’t seem to mind.
While it can be reassuring to hear that you’re hiding some less-than-honest information on your CV, we still think you should take a good, hard look at it and decide whether you’re prepared to risk being found.
Several businesses do background checks on potential employees; if you lie on your application, you can never hear back from them.
8. Too many details about interests and hobbies
Recruiters and hiring managers expect and encourage candidates to include interests and hobbies on their resumes, even if doing so is technically optional. Look for connections between your hobbies and interests and the requirements of the position you’re applying for.
Let’s say you’re interested in working as a veterinary assistant at a hospital or clinic. Volunteer work in an animal hospital or shelter is a great way to show that you care about animals and can be used to demonstrate your dedication to the field.
On your CV, only a few lines dedicated to interests and hobbies will do. To have a healthy work-life balance and prevent burnout, it’s important to have interests and hobbies outside work.
Remember that just because you have interesting hobbies and interests doesn’t mean you’re better qualified for the job. Check here some more resume writing tips!
9. Highlighting duties instead of accomplishments
Your CV should demonstrate your expertise in the field, but it’s easy to fall into the trap of only listing your previous jobs. Take this as an example:
- I’ve participated in group meetings and taken minutes.
- Interacted with kids as part of my job at a daycare.
- Documents in the relevant department have been brought up to date.
That seems very much like what you do. Nevertheless, employers care more about the results of your actions than the activities themselves.
One of the most fundamental pieces of advice for writing a resume is highlighting your contributions at each previous employer beyond just meeting minimum standards.
10. Ensure there are no typos and errors
This one is apparent, of course, but it is one of the most crucial errors to avoid when applying at the best job websites. A CV riddled with typos can as well be filled with holes if you want to increase your chances of being rejected. You can find some advice below:
⮊ Please print out your application materials and go over them verbally.
⮊ We recommend getting a second opinion. Having a second set of eyes at your work is always good.
⮊ It’s important to double-check the dates.
⮊ If you’re going to use a format, stick with it.
It's your time to make an instant impact
Remember that a recruiter can go through hundreds of resumes in a single day, so make yours stand out. Writing a CV highlighting your strengths helps the reader visualize what you offer to the position.
It’s normal to be concerned about leaving anything out, but resist the urge to exaggerate your accomplishments or ramble. Focus on fields where you have shown competence and where your prior expertise and successes will stand out. And if you’re looking to take professional help for improving your resume, here’s careerreload that will help you do that.
