Job resume writing is a skill that not everyone has perfected. The majority of job resumes I review have some fundamental errors, not least of which is the inclusion of information that has absolutely no place on your job resume.
I have compiled a list of some of the most common things people include in their job resumes that should be omitted.
- Date of birth
- Nationality
- Marital status
- Salary ? either current or expectations
- Reasons for leaving past positions
- Religion
- Political persuasion
- Weight and height
- Children?s ages
- Health e.g. Excellent health but do take anti-anxiety medication
Job resumes are sales documents designed to showcase the best you have to offer for the job that you are seeking. They are not passport applications, tax returns or medical assessments.
I am sure when job seekers include this information they do so from a belief that they are helping the employer. It doesn?t. Not only is this information unnecessary, it opens you up to potential discrimination.
Another error I see over and over again is a job title, with dates of employment followed by a list of duties. Duties are the things anyone in the same job could list. Duties don?t tell employers anything about you, how you perform, or the value you add.
All jobseekers need to move past the duties or job functions and should be looking at the impact of their actions ? their results. This is how you to tell employers how valuable you are as an employee; how you give them insight into your work ethic, your contributions and results.
Finally, photos are a common inclusion in job resumes. Unless you are a model or applying for an acting role, for example, they should be left out. Your appearance has absolutely nothing to do with your ability to do the job you are applying for!
Are any of these in your job resume?,I strongly advise going back and making some changes in your job resume today.
This article is contributed by Michelle Lopez of One2One Resumes.
??Michelle Lopez, Owner/Career Consultant
