What to include and what to omit in your resume

In today's competitive job market, a well-designed resume can make the difference between landing a job opportunity and being left out of the selection process. At Hays, we understand that strategically crafting a resume is essential not only for candidates, but also for business leaders looking to quickly identify top talent.

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An effective resume should be clear, concise and relevant, highlighting the candidate's most important qualifications and experience and omitting unnecessary or irrelevant information. In this article, we'll explore how to maximize the impact of your resume, including practical tips on what to include and what to omit, and the importance of customizing your resume for each job application.

Strategic vision: What to include and what to leave out

Creating a resume should be viewed as a personal marketing strategy, where every detail is carefully planned to highlight your key skills and accomplishments. The key is to understand that the resume must be tailored to reflect the requirements of the specific position you are applying for. This means that for each application, you should modify and refine the content of your resume to ensure that it is relevant and appealing to recruiters.

What to include on your resume

Knowing what to include on your resume can be the key to highlighting your skills and experience in a way that quickly captures the attention of recruiters. A well-crafted resume not only showcases your qualifications, but also demonstrates your alignment with the desired position.

1. Contact information: Make sure your contact information is up-to-date and easy to find. Include your full name, phone number, work email and, if relevant, links to professional profiles such as LinkedIn.
2. Professional summary: A brief summary of your most relevant qualifications and experience can quickly grab a recruiter's attention. Focus on your key skills and experiences that align with the desired position.
3. Professional experience: Detail your most recent and relevant work experience. Include the name of the company, your position, period of operation and a description of your responsibilities and accomplishments. Use action verbs and quantify your accomplishments whenever possible.
4. Education: List your academic qualifications, starting with the most recent. Include the name of the institution, the course and the period of study. If applicable, include academic honors and awards as well.
5. Skills: Highlight skills that are relevant to the position. This may include technical skills, software skills, project management skills, among others. Make sure these skills are verifiable and relevant to the position.
6. Certifications and training: Include professional certifications and training that are relevant to the position. This demonstrates your commitment to continuous development and your qualifications for the position.

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What to avoid from your resume

Including unnecessary or irrelevant information can clutter your resume and distract recruiters from what really matters. Knowing what to leave out is as crucial as knowing what to include. See below what you don't need to include on your resume:

• Irrelevant information: Avoid including work experience or skills that are not relevant to the intended position. This can divert the recruiter's attention away from your more important qualifications.
• Excessive personal details: You should not include information such as marital status, number of children or irrelevant hobbies. Stay focused on professional information that adds value to your application.
• Jargon and abbreviations: Avoid excessive use of technical jargon or abbreviations that are not widely recognized. This can make it difficult for recruiters to understand your resume.
• Salary expectation: Unless specifically requested, do not include your salary expectation on your resume. This is a topic that will be discussed during interviews.
• References: It is not necessary to include references or the phrase “references available upon request”. Recruiters already understand this and it can take up valuable space on your resume. 

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A well-designed resume is a powerful tool for highlighting your qualifications and capturing the attention of recruiters. By taking a strategic approach, including only relevant information and omitting unnecessary details, you can maximize the impact of your resume and increase your chances of success. 
 
Remember that each position is unique and requires careful customization of your resume. With the practical tips provided, you will be better prepared to create a resume that truly reflects your skills and experience, aligning with the needs of employers and making you stand out in the competitive job market. 

For more tips on how to write a winning resume, explore our Career Advice blogs.