7 Things To Leave Off Your Resume

Fine tuning your resume for your job search?

Here are a few tips on what to leave off your resume to make sure you’re putting your best foot forward in your job search:

1. Leave an objective statement off your resume.

Rather, focus on highlighting your primary qualifications in a short summary at the top of your >resume.

The employer can quickly scan this information and determine whether or not to read the rest of your resume. Most resumes are scanned for five seconds, so you want your best strengths to stand out at the top.

2. Leave unrelated awards, hobbies, activities, or interests off your resume.

Definitely include interests and awards that support the position you are seeking as well as the qualities that might be desired in the position you are seeking.

However, be sure everything is related to the position you are pursuing. Leave off personal and unrelated information.

3. Do not include lists of duties and tasks for each job on your resume.

Rather than listing your job description or duties, focus on your key accomplishments in each position.

You can optionally start your experience description with a short summary of your position, which might include a number of people supervised, the budget managed, and key areas of responsibility.

List your accomplishments or results underneath the description quantifying as much as possible.

Use action verbs and select accomplishments that had a large impact on the organization or are most relevant to the position you are seeking.

4. Leave excessive experience off of your resume.

Include no more than 15-20 years of experience and leave off anything prior to that.

5. Leave out excessive detail from your resume. 

Your >resume is a summary of your experience and should be no longer than two pages (for someone with extensive experience) and one page for entry-level or mid-career.

Remember, your resume will be scanned in five seconds. If it can’t be summarized in that time it may likely not be read at all.

6. Be sure to check your resume for grammar, spelling, and formatting errors.

Please proofread your resume several times and have someone else do this for you as well. I’ve reviewed resumes with spelling errors that have also stated, “strong attention to detail.” The errors on the page are contradictory.

You are putting your best foot forward with your resume, be sure it’s polished!

7. Leave out heavy blocks of text with no white space or formatting on your resume.

Employers spend very little time initially reviewing a stack of resumes. Your resume should be scannable.

That is, easy to read with key points standing out. Use numbers to quantify accomplishments, bold related job titles and section headings, use the same font throughout, and bullet-point accomplishments vs. writing a long block of text.

Read more on how to write a resume.

Find a specific resume and cover letter example that matches just what you are looking for! Eddins Counseling is pleased to offer access to career-related resources and premium resume templates. Click here to access our Searchable Database of Resume & Cover Letter Examples by Industry, Job Title & Experience Level. 

Resume Writing Resources:

Here are some additional resume writing resources:

• Classic Resume Sample
• Sample Manager Resume
• Resume-Phrases for Effective Resumes
• Action Verbs for Effective Resumes
• Cover Letter Example
• Searchable Database of Resume & Cover Letter Examples by Industry, Job Title & Experience Level
• Career Planning Resources

Next Steps

Click here to learn more about our >career coaching program services. >Book an appointment with a career counselor who is available to meet with you via phone, video, or in person to discuss any career-related questions you might have.

To get started now give us a call to schedule an appointment at 832-559-2622 or schedule an >appointment online.

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