How to Bulletproof Your Resume and LinkedIn Profile Against Hiring Bias

The hiring process should always be fair, but bias—whether unconscious or deliberate—still plays a role in some hiring decisions. Women, especially women of color, older women, and mothers, often face discrimination in the job market based on their names, ages, educational backgrounds, career gaps, and even profile pictures. 

Real talk: It's not joyful to share these tips on how to overcome resume bias. No one should have to tweak their resume or LinkedIn profile just to get a fair shot—but unfortunately, it can be a necessary move. The goal here isn’t to erase who you are; it’s to get your foot in the door and book that interview so you can prove your value beyond outdated biases.

Yes, bias in resume screening is a real concern 

Biases can impact hiring decisions in different ways. A 2024 study confirms that resumes with traditionally non-white names receive fewer callbacks than those with white-sounding names. Women often face discrimination based on assumptions about motherhood and caregiving responsibilities. Meanwhile, older candidates may be overlooked in favor of younger hires perceived as more tech-savvy.

And let’s not forget AI resume screening bias, which filters out candidates based on age, gender-coded language, or perceived cultural fit—in part because the AI “learned” all the biases from our collective past. Understanding these resume biases can help you take proactive steps to neutralize them in your job search.

How to make your resume bias-proof

This isn’t about hiding your identity—it’s about making sure hiring managers don’t make snap judgments before even reading your experience. So, how do you get around resume bias? 

Modify your name presentation

You might be wondering if there's a way to make a resume gender-neutral, and the answer lies in your first name. Besides gender, studies on resume bias show that applicants with traditionally ethnic names receive fewer responses than those with Anglo-sounding names. If you feel comfortable, consider presenting your name in a neutral way, such as using initials or a shortened version of your name. For example:

• Ana Johnson → A. Johnson

• Samantha Rodríguez → S. Rodríguez

• Fatima Khan → F. Khan

Remove your graduation date on your resume

Age discrimination is real. If you're wondering, “Should I put my age on my resume?” it's best not to. “If you’re over 50, some employers may wrongly assume you’re less tech-savvy or close to retirement,” says HR consultant Amy Purciarele.

Even if you don't actually write your age in your bio, the hiring managers can do the simple math based on your education. Luckily, Purciarele says, “strategic adjustments can help avoid premature judgments.” 

Here's how to age-proof your resume: Remove your graduation year. Instead of listing: “Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, University of California,” 1992 Try: “Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, University of California.”

Shift the focus to more recent education degrees—if you have higher education degrees, perfect! If not, extracurricular and online courses also work. This shows you're updated and prevents hiring managers from making assumptions about your age before they even get to your skills. 

Address career gaps strategically

Did you take time off to raise kids, travel the world, or go on a sabbatical? That doesn’t make you any less qualified, but hiring bias might say otherwise. Instead of leaving large gaps, frame your time in a way that showcases relevant skills. Be sure to mention:

• Freelance or consulting work: If you took on personal projects, list them as professional experience.

• Volunteer work or leadership roles: Sat on the PTA board? Organized fundraisers? Managed community projects? Those are leadership skills.

• Skills development: Took online courses or got certifications? Include them.

Here’s an example: 

Career sabbatical (2018–2021): Independent consultant and community leader

• Managed fundraising events that raised over $50,000 for local schools

• Earned a certificate in digital marketing through Coursera

For extra guidance, read this next: How to Explain a Gap in Your Resume During a Job Search (With Samples!)

Be mindful of education details

Graduating from a public university—or a lesser-known one—can sometimes trigger resume bias, especially for lower-class folks and women of color. Instead of emphasizing the school, highlight coursework or achievements. For example:

• Completed coursework in data science and business analytics

• Graduated with honors, specializing in UX/UI design

This shifts the focus to your qualifications, not the perceived prestige of your institution.

Don't include a photo on your resume

Resumes don’t need photos—period. Looks, weight, race, and age shouldn’t be hiring factors. Unless you’re in an industry that requires a headshot (acting, modeling, etc.), leave it off. On LinkedIn, choose a professional, neutral photo to keep the focus on your expertise. 

“Photos are a definite no-go for me,” Purciarele says. “They reveal age, race, weight, and other characteristics that can inadvertently lead to bias. I always recommend removing photos to keep the focus on skills and experience.”

Limit personal details

Do you put your age on a resume? No. Date of birth on resume? No. Your marital status? No. Number of kids? Also no. None of these details are relevant to your ability to do the job—and they can invite bias.

Optimize for AI screening

Nowadays, many companies are using AI tools to filter resumes before a human even sees them. To increase your chances of getting through:

• Use clear, industry-standard job titles.

• Incorporate relevant keywords from job descriptions.

• Avoid unnecessary formatting that could confuse an applicant tracking system (ATS).

For extra guidance, read this next: Can You Outsmart an Applicant Tracking System? 6 Ways to Optimize Your Resume for ATS

How to adjust your LinkedIn profile to minimize resume bias

It's easier to bulletproof a piece of paper (or PDF) against resume bias. Most tips can't be used on LinkedIn, where inserting your name and photo feels like a must. Here are some tips to overpass bias in resume screening via LinkedIn:

Review your LinkedIn photo

Yes, LinkedIn requires a photo, so make sure yours is professional and neutral. Avoid casual pictures that may influence recruiter perception.

Read this next: 3 Things That Make a Great Professional Headshot (Plus, Why You Need One)

Adjust your LinkedIn headline

Instead of listing your experience in a way that could invite bias (e.g., “Mom of two and CFA”), opt for skill-based descriptions.

This might help: 13 Powerful LinkedIn Headline Examples That Get Recruiters' Attentions

Customize your LinkedIn URL

A personalized LinkedIn URL (e.g., linkedin.com/in/AJohnson) looks more polished than one with random numbers or your full name.

Remove outdated positions

Unfortunately, decades of experience is not always seen as a superpower. Consider condensing this section of your profile. You can delete experiences that are shorter or less significant to your current position. Older roles can be also added to a brief “Additional experience” section.

Beat those resume bias

Resume bias isn’t disappearing anytime soon, but you can take steps to bulletproof your resume and LinkedIn profile against discrimination. “While we can’t eliminate all biases, focusing on your skills, achievements, and value will speak louder than anything else,” Purciarele says. “If an employer rules you out because of age, gender, or race, that’s a clear sign you wouldn’t want to work there anyway.”

By making small but strategic changes—like tweaking your name presentation, limiting personal details, and optimizing for AI screening—you can ensure your qualifications shine through. The goal is simple: get past the biases, land that interview, and let your skills and experience do the talking.