Writing a resume requires more than simply noting your work history. To help you write a wonderful resume, I’ll start by giving you tips on what to Nope to include on a resume. Enjoy.
1. Salary Expectations/History. Even if you’re responding to an ad that specifically asks for this information, don’t! If your expectations or salary history are too high, a potential employer will rule you out from the start. If it’s too low, you’ve lost bargaining power, or worse, you’ll be hired possibly thousands less than you’re worth. It is a no-win situation. Remember: it’s always best to discuss salary requirements at the interview.
two. Personal information. This is a huge waste of valuable resume space. No employer will make the interview call based on your age, marital status, or “excellent” health. If your excellent health is directly related to the position you’re seeking (perhaps a warehouse job where you have to lift heavy objects), the time to mention it is in the interview. We’d like to think there are enough legal protections against discrimination that disclosing information like age, etc., wouldn’t be a problem, but unfortunately, you’d only be kidding yourself.
3. Hobbies or personal interests. The only time it’s a good idea to include them on a resume is when their interests are relevant to the position you’re applying for. For the most part, you can cover this in the actual interview.
Four. cheesy tricks. Cute or funny graphics on a resume immediately send the message that you are not to be taken seriously. In addition, they divert the employer’s attention from your achievements and qualifications. I once received a resume from a woman named Candy Kayn. Trying to capitalize on the “cuteness” of her name, she placed candy cane graphics all over her resume. Within seconds, she was in the trash.
5. Your image. Again, despite anti-discrimination protections, images simply give employers another reason to reject a resume. If they don’t like your appearance, if they think you look too young, too old, too fat, too thin, too handsome, not handsome, etc. – the resume can be discarded without reading it. You want the employer to judge based on your talents and qualifications, not your appearance. So never include an image. (Models and performers are the exception to this rule, as their appearance is part of their qualifications for some jobs. However, they generally submit 8″x10″ photos separately, not on the resume itself) .
6. Reasons for abandoning previous jobs. These never count in your favor. If you left a job involuntarily, that’s a strike against you (“fired” always sounds a bit like “fired” to some employers). If you left voluntarily, that is also a blow against you. “Maybe,” the employer thinks, “he won’t get this job either.” It is best to never raise the issue.
7″.References available upon request.“The only information on the resumes you create should be that which is specifically related to the job you are trying to get… cue sheets can be presented and discussed during the interview.
In summary
Keep these little things that make a big difference off your resume and you will succeed. By impressing an employer with your resume, they will be more than happy to set up an interview with you.
Good luck in your job search!
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