Things You Should Leave Off Your Resume
Provided by AOLJobs.com. By Leslie Anglesey for Brazen Life Your resume may only be a single page, but it’s a potential minefield when it comes to your career. On one hand, you want enough information so the employer sees what a stellar candidate you are. On the other, you don’t want to step into any pitfalls that will give the hiring manager reason to exclude you. Here are the do’s and don’ts for writing each section of your resume: Experience DO tell an employer about your skills and experience that are relevant to the position. Customize your resume for each position you’d like to pursue. A cookie-cutter approach to looking for work is less likely to be successful. DON’T list every short-term job you’ve held. If you’ve worked at a number of temporary positions, it may look as though you have trouble holding a job. The exception is writing about a temporary job or internship that’s relevant to the position you’re applying for. More: More Employers Demand Twitter-Like Brevity On Applications Contact Information DO include your home phone number and main email address. Depending on how much privacy you have to take calls and pick up messages from a prospective employer at work, you may also want to include your cell number. DON’T list your business phone number or email account on your resume. Your current employer may be monitoring your phone calls and email correspondence. Unless you want to be put in an awkward position or fired, you should keep all the details of your job search private. If your cell phone was issued by your employer, you should consider it company property and make job search-related calls from your home or a personal device. If you’re looking for a job in the South End, check out our jobs page. Social media DO include a link to your LinkedIn profile if it will present you in professional manner. Go over it carefully before you share this information with a prospective employer. You’ll want to make sure that anything you’re writing will complement your resume. DON’T share your personal Facebook or other social network links if they may contain anything you wouldn’t feel comfortable seeing on a billboard in the middle of your city. Something you or a friend posted as a private joke may not seem very amusing to a hiring manager and could cost you a job offer. Err on the side of keeping your private life private. Employment gaps DO deal with any lengthy gaps in your employment history directly. If you took a year off from work to travel, for example, include that so that the employer can fill in this blank easily. DON’T leave a blank space […]