214: What Should I Include - and Leave Off - My Resume?

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I get a lot of questions about what should, and shouldn’t, be included in a resume. I also see a lot of resumes that include information that shouldn’t be there.

Keep in mind that your resume should be a marketing document. You are selling a product, and that product is YOU. You want the reader to know your features and benefits. What will they get if they buy you? Why should they choose you over all the other candidates?

If you keep this concept of a marketing document in mind as you write your resume, you should be able to look at the things on your resume to determine if they add value to your candidacy or not.

Here are six things that should ALWAYS be on your resume:

1. Your name

2. Your contact information (phone number and email address)

3. Your education (list degrees both as abbreviations and spelled out)

4. Your relevant work experience, with achievements

5. A clearly articulated, differentiating branding statement

6. Relevant and current credentials, certifications, courses, etc.

Here are eight things that should NEVER be on your resume (specific to North America):

1. Your street address

2. Your marital status

3. A picture (unless you are an actor or model)

4. Information about children, your health

5. Unrelated personal hobbies

6. Salary expectations/salary history

7. Reason(s) for leaving previous jobs

8. Exact days of beginning and ending jobs (month and year is sufficient)

Here are nine things that MIGHT go on your resume:

1. Professional affiliations

2. Relevant personal interests

3. Your city, state, and zip

4. Faith-based volunteering

5. Unrelated jobs

6. Your LinkedIn URL

7. Community engagement

8. Board service

9. A list of relevant keywords

As you can see, much of what should or shouldn’t go on your resume is dependent on what your career goal is and/or how you will be using your resume. Continually ask the question: “Does this thing add value to my candidacy?” If so, include as space permits.

One final reminder: Your resume is not a C.V. – meaning it is not meant to be an exhaustive record of your professional history and achievements. Rather, it is a carefully curated marketing document that should present you in the best possible light.

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