What Not to Include (And Include) on Your Resume

Over the years, I have had a lot of resumes cross my desk and many have made their way directly to the trash. Job searching is difficult enough, why make things harder on yourself by submitting an unattractive resume? Outlined here are some of my tips for having your resume avoid being canned.

If you have an objective, delete it. Objectives such as "Looking for a job where I can gain experience" do nothing for you. Of course you are looking for a job, so is everyone else sending in their resume. Even worse are objectives such as "Seeking a position with a marketing firm" when listed on a resume sent to a small nonprofit. If you are incapable of reading the job advertisement and appropriately adjusting your objective to fit the position and the company, you are clearly not the right candidate for the job. A bad objective will harm your chance of landing the job, having no objective will never harm you.

Do not put "References available upon request" on your resume. This is one of my top pet peeves. Stating that you have references and that they are available is pointless and unnecessary. If you are applying for a job, you better have references. All employers assume that you have references and will make them available, there is no need to state so on your resume. And when you go on a job interview, be sure to bring a list of references along with you, whether or not the employer specifically asks you to do so in advance.

Having your GPA on your resume is useless. It is the truth, employers care more about your work experience than how well you did in college. Unless listed as required information in the job advertisement, skip stating your grade point average on your resume. This is especially true if you have a GPA below 3.5. This may come as a shock, but listing a GPA that is less than amazing will harm your chances at landing the job.

No one cares where you went to high school. If you are a college graduate, where you went to high school is irrelevant and should no longer appear on your resume. It does not matter how great of a high school it was, if you now hold a college degree it is time to delete all high school references from your resume, this includes being captain of the football team and starring in the spring musical.

Your education and work experience are not the only things that make a resume. A standout resume lists more than just where you went to school and where you have worked. It is important to also list your activities, such as any volunteering or clubs you belong to, and skills, such as a second language and computer programs in which you are proficient.

What you do in your spare time has no place on your resume. No employer cares or wants to know what you do on your own time. Listing such things as "enjoys sailing" or "like to read and listen to music" is pointless and only makes you look less than outstanding.

Your resume is not a cover letter. Resumes and cover letters are two different animals, each with their own purpose. Do not include a section on your resume where you outline why you are a good fit for the position or list skills you have that meet the requirements needed for the position -- that is the purpose of your cover letter.

Your email address matters. Email addresses such as HotStud003456@aol.com do not reflect favorably on you. If you do not have a respectable email address, get one -- such as FirstnameLastname@gmail.com

Do not save your resume as resume.doc. Potential employers are often receiving hundreds of resumes. Attaching a resume named "resume.doc" to your email or online application is only going to result in it making its way to the recycling bin. Make sure your resume is identifiable and save it as "FirstnameLastname.doc."

The basics of a good resume are: education, work experience, activities, and skills. Stick within those parameters and your resume may have a shot at avoiding the trash.