Most job seekers make the common mistake of concentrating on what they should include on their resume. Very few pay attention to what they shouldn’t include. The one important word you should never forget when you write a resume is relevance. Your resume should only contain what is relevant, nothing more. So go over your resume again and check what you should delete. Below are some of the details that may not find a place on your resume.

1. Nothing personal.

Your ethnicity, marital status, religious beliefs, and physical appearance are not crucial to your work performance. Likewise, the employer wouldn’t be interested in your personal philosophy, hobbies and interests unless they can directly impact the job you’re applying for. A professional tone always works for the potential employer, so list your education, employment history and qualifications.

These are the relevant information to the job and your career objective that the employer would be looking for. Stick to that and delete anything that resembles “personal”.

2. What achievements?

Don’t even think of putting your nomination as prom queen under Achievements. Professional memberships, awards, volunteer and community services have more weight.

3. Their needs; not yours.

Forget about Objectives. These days, they are a sure way to get your resume tossed out of the window. Many experts recommend a branding statement or professional summary that more effectively describes what you bring to the table.

4. Irrelevant certification programs.

There’s no need to clutter your resume with so many certificates that are not related to the job requirements. If you’re applying for an IT position, highlight your professional certifications or designations. Show a link between your past work experience and your current career goals. If the information doesn’t serve that purpose, delete it.

5. Too much jargon.

Your objective must be clear: you want the reader to understand the words you use on your resume. Remember that the first readers of your resume are most likely the recruiters and human resources associates rather than the immediate hiring manager.

Keep them in mind and unless you’re absolutely sure the terminologies you use mean something to them, better delete them now. Your resume should exhibit your knowledge of the job through your education and experience.

Again, the key to a good resume is a professional tone. You may possess all those fabulous qualifications employers are looking for but why spoil a good resume with garbage? Make it focused, concise, complete and easy for the reader to understand. This will do wonders for your job search!

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