What To Include And What Not To Include On A Resume

Before we get into how to make a resume, let’s take a look at what NOT to do.

What SHOULD NOT Include in a Resume

• 1. Typos and Grammatical Errors

If you can’t be bothered to proofread your resume, why should a potential employer think you’ll be bothered to proofread their work? Typos and grammatical errors are a huge red flag for employers, and will usually result in your resume being immediately rejected.

• 2. Outdated Contact Information

If an employer can’t get in touch with you, they’re not going to hire you. Make sure your resume always includes your most current contact information, including your email address, phone number, and location.

• 3. Unprofessional Email Address

You might think your email address is funny or clever, but chances are it’s neither of those things to a potential employer. Stick to a simple, professional sounding email address for your resume.

• 4. Personal Information

Your resume is not a place to share your personal information. This includes things like your religious beliefs and political affiliation. In most countries it is actually illegal for employers to ask for this information, so there’s no need to include it on your resume.

• 5. Salary History

Your salary history is generally not relevant to the job you’re applying for, and including it on your resume can do more harm than good. If an employer sees that you’ve been underpaid in the past, they may use that as leverage to low-ball you on salary. If you’ve been paid more than the average for your position, the employer may think you’re overpriced and move on to someone else.

• 6. Lies

Lying on your resume is a bad idea for so many reasons. First, if you get caught, you’ll probably be immediately rejected. Second, even if you don’t get caught, you’ll likely be miserable in a job that’s not a good fit. Be honest on your resume, and find a job that’s a good match for your skills and experience.

Now that we’ve gone over what not to include in your resume, let’s take a look at what you SHOULD include.

What you SHOULD include in a Resume

• 1. Your Contact Information

Include your name, email address, phone number, and location. If you have a professional website or blog, you can include that as well.

• 2. A Resume Summary or Objective

A professional resume summary is a brief overview of your skills and experience, and should be no more than a few sentences. A resume objective is a bit more detailed, and should explain what you’re looking for in a job and why you’re a good fit.

• 3. Your Employment History

Your employment history should be listed in reverse chronological order, with your most recent job first. For each job, include the job title, the dates you worked, and a brief description of your responsibilities. If you have a lot of work experience, you can leave out jobs that are more than 15 years old.

• 4. Your Education

If you have a college degree, include the name of the school, the type of degree, and the year you graduated. If you don’t have a degree, you can include your high school diploma or GED, or list any relevant coursework you’ve completed.

• 5. Your Skills

Your skills section should include a list of the skills that are relevant to the job you’re applying for. If you have a lot of relevant skills, you can include them all. If you only have a few, you can pick the most important ones to list.

• 6. Your Awards and Achievements

If you have any awards or achievements that are relevant to the job you’re applying for, include them in your resume. This could include things like scholarships, academic awards, or professional certifications.

• 7. Your Interests and Hobbies

If you have any interests or hobbies that are relevant to the job you’re applying for, you can include them in your resume. For example, if you’re applying for a job as a writer, you might include that you enjoy reading and have a blog.

Creating a resume can be a daunting task, but if you follow this guide, you’ll be sure to create a resume that will help you get the job you want. Good luck!