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Five Things to Remove from Your Resume Right Now

Writer's picture: Tammie BallisTammie Ballis


We know how competitive the job market can be. Your resume is often the first impression you make on a potential employer, so every detail counts.


Yet, many people still include outdated or irrelevant information that doesn’t serve them in today’s hiring landscape. Here are five things you should take off your resume immediately.


1. Your Full Home Address

Back in the day, resumes and cover letters were posted via snail mail, so including your full address was standard practice. Now, everything is done digitally, and your city and state are more than sufficient. Including your full home address not only clutters your resume but can also open the door to potential discrimination. Keep it simple: city, state, and nothing more.


2. Profile Statement or Objective Statement

Let’s be real, no one is reading these anymore. Hiring managers and recruiters are far more interested in your experience and achievements than a generic statement about your goals. Your experience is what sells you, not a paragraph stating the obvious. Ditch the profile statement and let your skills and accomplishments do the talking.


3. Career Summary

Including a career summary often just doubles up on information already in your resume. It’s an outdated practice that can confuse the reader and distract from the real value you bring. Instead, focus on tailoring your resume to highlight your most relevant and impressive experiences for the job you’re applying for.


4. Profile Picture or Selfie

Adding a photo to your resume might feel like a nice personal touch, but it’s not 1995 anymore. Including a picture is not only outdated but also risks exposing you to potential discrimination. It’s cringy and unnecessary. Let your qualifications shine without the distraction of a headshot.


5. Hobbies

Unless you’re 17 years old and trying to fill up your first resume, hobbies don’t belong. Employers are far more interested in your professional experience than your personal interests. Focus on showcasing quality over quantity when it comes to your experience and skills.


Final Thoughts

Your resume is your ticket to landing an interview, so make sure it’s clean, concise, and focused on what truly matters.

By removing these outdated elements, you’ll create a professional and polished document that highlights your skills and achievements and gets you noticed for the right reasons.


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