It’s fairly simple to acquire information about what to include in your resume. Generally speaking, the basic requirements of a resume are almost common knowledge. For instance your employment history, education information and qualifications should always be included in your resume. While this may be common knowledge, there are several pieces of information that should not appear in your resume that will stand out in a negative way to an employer. The following pieces of information are some examples of what not to include in your resume. For more help, brush up on what to avoid in your cover letter, as well.
Why You Disliked Your Last Boss/Co-Workers
While you may think differently, your potential employer doesn’t really care about your personal opinions towards those that you’ve worked with in the past. In fact, by including this information you are actually representing yourself in a negative manner. Instead of focusing on your previous boss or co-worker’s flaws, try to demonstrate to your potential employer that you are adaptable and can work with anyone.
Personal Information
Your religious beliefs, political opinions, marital status, hobbies, and physical attributes should absolutely be omitted from your resume. Information of this sort is irrelevant and can actually be controversial. Moreover, if your religious beliefs or political opinions don’t coincide with your potential employer’s then you may be less likely to be considered for the job. Hobbies can portray you as an active person, but an employer doesn’t want to prod too deep into your personal life when you’re applying for a job.
Irrelevant Work Experience
As I stated before, your employment history should always be clearly stated in your resume. However, I suggest refraining from including irrelevant work experience. You may have accrued some serious hours dog-sitting for your neighbor, but that won’t impress your potential employer when applying for your next desk-job. In essence, make sure that all of your work experience listed in your resume is either in the field that you are applying for or helped develop the skills necessary for the job that you’re applying for.
False Information
It’s becoming more common for companies to run background checks during the hiring process. This could easily expose any false information that you have included in your resume. If a potential employer realizes you have included false information in your resume they will no longer consider you a viable candidate for the job. Even if your false information isn’t discovered in the hiring process, your lack of skills or experience that you lied about will be quickly unveiled through your performance.
References
Many job seekers believe that references should be included in a resume. On the contrary, I believe that references are merely a waste of valuable space on your resume. If your employer truly wants references then they will ask you for them. Don’t forget to have your references’ contact information throughout the hiring process and make sure you inform them that they may be contacted.
Poor Grammar
Your grammar truly can tell an employer a lot about you. Sloppy grammar mistakes will convince an employer that you’re uneducated, careless, and possibly lazy. Make sure you thoroughly review your resume for grammar errors and don’t be afraid to ask for help.
Your Photograph
Employers are legally obligated to not consider your picture when evaluating whether or not to interview you. Therefore, your resume may even be discarded if you include your picture because employers will try their best to follow the Equal Opportunity Employer legislation.
Keep all of these things in mind next time you draft up or edit your resume.
SOURCE: HR World, Business Insider, AOL Jobs
Add comment