What NOT to Include on Your Resume

It’s 2022 and the job market is hot!

You’re looking to get back out there and find your next career move, but are not sure what employers may be looking for. There are many things you can add to highlight your skills and how you could be an asset to a new organization. But have you thought about the things you should avoid adding? Take a few moments to review our tips on what NOT to add to your resume this year in order to land that interview.

Summary Statements

Yes, that little paragraph that recruiters skip over. Choose to leave this out of your resume because that space is valuable! Your summary statement could easily be utilized in a detailed cover letter instead of the prime real-estate at the top of your resume. Your resume should be concise and clearly highlight your work achievements. This statement at the top is usually full of fluff and very unnecessary. The first thing employers want to see on your resume is that you are capable of doing the job at hand and these general intro summaries are not what will convey this.

Old, Outdated Experience and Internships

While these can be vital for entry-level roles to show some sort of recent experience, it usually is not relevant later in your career to keep on your resume. After about five years of solid working experience within your industry consider cutting the former internships or part-time jobs that are unrelated. Instead, add more descriptive detail into your job descriptions related to the industry you are applying for.

Your Address

In the age of remote and hybrid roles, your address is not as much of a factor when applying to positions. Initial phone screens and the interview process will bring up these discussions naturally. You don’t want your address to be a reason that you are moved out of consideration due to not being as local or in the time zone most preferred. If you are able to meet the work qualifications and work within the time zone the company needs that is really all that matters. Have those open and honest discussions with the hiring managers but take the address off your resume so you get the chance to have these conversations.

References

This is typically a last step in the interview process so there is no need to include this in your resume. Not to mention that your professional references may not want their personal phone numbers out there for all with a LinkedIn recruiter account to have access to. Take the references off and mention the ability to provide them if needed throughout the interview process.

Generic Tasks Lists

Your resume is your biggest tool to land the first interview. Use this to brag about all the things you have accomplished while at current and past companies. Listing out a handful of general tasks and duties do not show an employer at first glance you are capable of performing them. We as hiring managers know what an HR Generalist should be doing daily, tell me how well you were able to accomplish these things.

Tools & Systems

I know what you may be thinking. The tools and Systems section of your resume is your favorite. As a hiring manager, I can tell you it is not ours and can be an eyesore if over-saturated and poorly formatted. Instead of listing out every tool you have used in your career, or that you have worked with Microsoft office systems like most in the job force, choose to intergrade those tools in your achievements descriptions.

Example: “While at X Company I utilized ADP software to perform weekly payroll distributions to over 200 employees.”

Remember your resume is your first impression to a hiring manager and a glimpse into why you are the one for the job. Make sure you are focused on how you are a fit and leave out the filler in order to propel your resume to the top of the pile.

Meet the Author

Devin Colbert
Talent Consultant, Juno Talent Solutions

Your next opportunity awaits.

Job hunting can be stressful and making a career move can be intimidating. We know all too well. Our team of talent professionals is here to support your search every step of the way. Whether you’re seeking your first full-time gig, looking for contract-to-hire opportunities, or ready to take the next step in your career, we’ve got you covered.