The 1 thing you should never include on your resume
What's the one thing you never include on your resume? Resumes can make or break our job search, so it's critical to have one that shows off our skills — rather than one that lands in the reject pile.
Whether you're a job seeker finding your way on your job search journey or a long-time hiring manager, feel free to share what you'd never include on a resume — and hopefully help an FGB job seeker! Why don't you include this? Is there something you should include instead?
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20 Comments
20 Comments
Katy Joy
17
Recruiting professional located in San Diego
01/25/21 at 7:49PM UTC
Graduation dates/years! This can age you (for better or for worse) and elicit unconscious biases from recruiters.
6
2 Replies
FGB Community Manager
1.57k
Connecting career-minded women
01/28/21 at 3:37PM UTC
Great tip, Katy — I wish we didn't have to worry about that.
Reply
Moriyina Cole, MBA
36
Passionate about helping People & Organizations
01/28/21 at 11:14PM UTC
I agree with this. Ageism is real and prevalent.
Reply
Malissa
614
Controller in the Agricultural Industry.
01/25/21 at 8:12PM UTC
Objectives. Most are poorly written and not targeted to the job. Even a well written one will get passed over quickly. Use that real estate to write a summary of your skills or leave it off completely.
5
1 Reply
FGB Community Manager
1.57k
Connecting career-minded women
01/28/21 at 3:38PM UTC
Love that you provided an alternative for this common resume mistake. Do you think there's ever a right time to include an objective?
1 Reply
Malissa
614
Controller in the Agricultural Industry.
01/28/21 at 5:08PM UTC
If you can craft one that is actually targeted to the job and extremely well written, then go for it. After that batch of resumes I reviewed, I'd just rather not see another objective statement.
1
1 Reply
FGB Community Manager
1.57k
Connecting career-minded women
01/29/21 at 7:04PM UTC
Thanks for sharing from your expertise/experience!
1
Reply
Claudia
400
Current events call for adapting new solutions.
01/25/21 at 10:04PM UTC
Certain personal information: how many kids you have, if you're married, etc. Not only does this not apply to the job you're applying for, but it can be used against you by certain hiring managers - married women/women with children are often seen as being unable to give as much time to their job because of these other distractions. This is a conversation topic at best unrelated to your hiring process.
2
1 Reply
FGB Community Manager
1.57k
Connecting career-minded women
01/28/21 at 3:39PM UTC
Great insight, Claudia. This is helpful for interviewing as well.
Reply
Judy
14
01/26/21 at 1:17AM UTC
Errors or poor grammar - It seems obvious, but we’re all moving at internet speed, far too often, letting things pass without a critical second look.
3
1 Reply
FGB Community Manager
1.57k
Connecting career-minded women
01/28/21 at 3:39PM UTC
Definitely helps to get a second (and third, and fourth) pair of eyes!
Reply
Kim Allcott
107
Business Development Director
01/26/21 at 1:40PM UTC
Extensive detail on roles that aren't relevant to the job you're applying for. Keep the CV focussed and tailored (but avoid timeline gaps if possible - keep less relevant role entries brief).
1
2 Replies
FGB Community Manager
1.57k
Connecting career-minded women
01/26/21 at 3:14PM UTC
Hey Kim! This is really helpful advice — and I think relevant to many Fairygodboss'ers. What do you think is the best way for someone to talk about these timeline gaps in an interview?
1
1 Reply
Kim Allcott
107
Business Development Director
01/26/21 at 3:25PM UTC
Hello :)
While everyone does have a right to privacy, prospective employers will be understandably curious about gaps. I think honesty with a positive spin is the best way forward - whatever the gap was for, if there was something constructive that you learned from it, that's the thing to focus the conversation on. And be ready to reassure the new employer that you're not looking for more career gaps (if that's relevant).
1
1 Reply
FGB Community Manager
1.57k
Connecting career-minded women
01/26/21 at 3:29PM UTC
I love how you advise to use the gap to your advantage and share something you learned. Thank you for sharing!
1
Reply
Amy Bucciferro
95
Consulting is my profession, equality my passion
01/27/21 at 1:41AM UTC
Agreed on keeping less-relevant role descriptions minimal, but I would discourage someone from leaving out entirely things like service-sector jobs when applying to an 'office' job. There is important learning in that experience.
1
Reply
Rebecca Guldin
62
Social media, empowerment, community organizing
01/26/21 at 11:47PM UTC
I know this isn't really your question, but I'm sure someone needs the reminder: You can totally decline to answer salary range questions on pre-interview questionnaires! I wish I had known that a few jobs ago.
2
1 Reply
Natalia
370
Motivating You Forward
01/27/21 at 5:38AM UTC
But how do you do it when there's an asterisk next to the question or only drop down selections in the application? I try to avoid it as much as possible and write in negotiable when I can but not always an option.
1
1 Reply
FGB Community Manager
1.57k
Connecting career-minded women
01/28/21 at 3:40PM UTC
That's a great reminder, Rebecca. And a good question, Natalia. How can we avoid it when it's a non-optional question?
Reply
Sarah Bartley
107
Front-end Web Developer
01/31/21 at 11:56PM UTC
I've learned not to put "references available upon request" on my resume. I used to do that since that is what my college's career services suggested to do. I later learned that this ended up dating my resume quite a lot since many assume you already have references and they will ask.
Reply
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