What Not To Include In Your Resume

Do you have a difficult time determining what does not go in
your job resume? The rule of thumb is to only put enough
information about your qualifications in your resume in order to
get the employer interested enough to contact you about an
interview.

If the information doesn’t highlight your qualifications, keep
it out. Many people make the mistake of putting the word
"Resume" on their resume. This isn’t necessary, since the
employer will only have to look at your resume to know what it
is. 

Personal Information

Any personal information should be left out also. For example:

Age Race Sex Political Affiliation Names and
ages of children Spouse’s occupation Any other personal
information that is not relevant to your job qualifications
 

Salary History

Never put your salary requirement or salary history on your job
resume. The salary for the job you’re seeking should be used as
a negotiation tool. Salary discussions usually take place during
the end of the job interview.

High School Education

If you have higher education, you don’t have to include the high
school you attended on your resume. Most employers assume you
graduated from high school. If you just graduated from high
school or you do not have higher education, then include the
high school you graduated from.

Work History

If you have had several jobs during the course of 10 or more
years, you don’t have to include every job you ever held on your
resume. It is best to go back no more than 10 to 15 years.
Include the jobs that best demonstrate your skills and
qualifications for the job you are seeking now. If you held jobs
20 or more years ago that enhance your qualifications, you can
include those jobs on your resume as well.

Remember, the employer is looking at your past performance in
your previous jobs as an indicator of your future performance
with their company. When writing your past work history, focus
on your achievements. That’s what the employer wants to see in
your resume. Try to avoid including past jobs that are not
useful in communicating your skills and achievements.

References

Do not include references on your resume. Add a line at the
bottom of the resume stating, "References Available Upon
Request". Bring your references with you to the job interview.
You will also want to contact the people you are using as
references so they know that they may be hearing from potential
employers.

To summarize, include only information that will communicate
your skills, achievements and qualifications for the job you’re
seeking in your resume. Leave out personal information that is
not necessary for the employer to know. 

The more focused your resume is, the more interested the
employer will be in it and he/she will contact you for a job
interview.