Careers 101: TMI: What not to include on your résumé
Careers 101: TMI: What not to include on your résumé
When you are applying for a job, there are two basic things to remember. The first is that résumés and applications are not designed to get you a job. Rather, they are screening tools companies use to get a snapshot of how you can help them. The second is that too much information (TMI) in that snapshot can actually hurt you.
Let’s take a look at what may be considered TMI.
• Visuals. Never put designs, art work or pictures on your résumé. This is unprofessional. If your field of expertise focuses on those things (graphic design, photography, etc.), save it for a separate portfolio.
• Irrelevant or outdated experience. If you are applying for employment in a different field of work or are making a career change, an overly detailed history of previous jobs can hurt your chances of being successful in that move. An example: A young lady applies for a job as a customer service representative. Her résumé outlines a work history of 15 years in theatrical arts. Her chances of landing an interview for the job she is applying for would be slim to none. Why? Because her résumé indicates to the employer that when a position becomes available in theatrical arts, she will leave immediately.
If you have had any training or any kind of job in your industry, there is no need to list old information such as your high school extracurricular activities, etc. Employers simply won’t care.
• Temp jobs. Listing too many of these can make it appear as if you are likely to job hop. Instead, temp jobs should be captured under a specific category. For instance, create a section of your résumé labeled “Temporary Service.” Then list all the staffing agencies that you worked with, examples of the jobs you took on and the skills you used to accomplish them. If you worked for staffing agencies for an extended period of time, put the starting date of the first temp job and the ending of the last temp job to indicate this time frame.
• Multiple pages. The average length of a solid résumé is one page. Having multiple pages may be necessary for some career fields or jobs, or for people with vast experience, but generally the employer should be able to capture your core skills and relevant experience on that first page.
• Religious or political leanings. Never mention religious or political preferences on your résumé. Not only is it unprofessional, but employers don’t want to hire employees who may attempt to influence or preach to others at work. However, if you have done volunteer work for a church or a political party, address those in the same manner you would a job: list your tasks and responsibilities, and explain how you helped the organization.
About JobLink
The Greensboro JobLink Career Center provides career exploration services, skills training and assessments regardless of employment status. It also provides workshop on resume preparation, interviewing skills, application completion, how and where to look for jobs, and other useful information to help individuals with their employment needs. All services are free. For more information, call 373-5922 or visit JobLink at 303 N. Raleigh St., Greensboro.
Careers 101 is a monthly feature that addresses job-search issues. Have an idea or suggestion? Interested in contributing? Contact Patrick Collins at 412-5934 or patrick.collins@news-record.com
