5 Things You Should Leave Out of Your Resume
August 8, 2016
Have you been turning in a bunch of job applications with little or no interview requests? The solution to your problem could be as simple as giving your resume a makeover.
Matter of fact, you should always be looking to improve your resume since it represents your professional identity. It’s all prospective employers get to judge you by until your first interview. Why not take the time to make sure it makes an excellent first impression.
Ready to dust off your resume and give it a much-needed polish? Here are some things you should strip off it.
1. Typos
Even if you think your resume is already error free, it’s always a good idea to double-check and make sure. Incorrect grammar or spelling on your resume can easily be one of the things holding you back from getting job interviews despite the fact you’re regularly turning in applications. If your writing skills aren’t particularly strong, have friends or family members go over it for you. Better yet, hire a freelancer from a work-for-hire site and have them go over your resume and give it a professional touch.
2. Large typefaces and outdated fonts
You don’t have to be a graphics design expert to find easy-to-read fonts that can be effortlessly read by hiring managers. Ideally, you want a font that can be read when held a metre from the eye. It’s better to go with a newer san-serif font like Arial or Calibri for example, rather than an outdated serif font like Times New Roman.
3. Unnecessary pages
Ideally, you don’t want your resume to be more than 2-3 pages long. That’s because employers spend a great deal of time sifting through mounds of applications before narrowing the herd down to a few interview-worthy applicants. This means hiring managers tend to spend a limited amount of time on each application, going over only a few pages of each resume before tossing it and grabbing the next. It’s best to compress all your information into a two-page snapshot, that way, your accomplishments and qualifications aren’t overlooked.
4. List of previous titles and responsibilities
If you think you’re earning points by listing every job you’ve ever had on your resume, think again! While you might be impressed with the burger flipping record you had during your college years, unless you plan to continue down the professional burger flipper career path, you would be better off trimming the fat. List only past roles that are pertinent to the job you are applying for.
5. Salary expectations
If you have anything like that on your resume, take it out now! More than likely, it will only send the wrong message to the person going over your application. The purpose of a resume is to showcase your skills and experience, so stay focused on impressing potential employers. Talks about your salary expectations will naturally occur during interviews.

Sabrina Matuda
IT Recruitment Consultant
I am a real people person and spent over a decade in language studies, coaching and sales. I have a Bachelor’s degree in Languages and Literature, a Master's degree in English and a PhD in Translation studies (#nerd). However, a serendipitous event got me into IT recruitment. And I’m loving it! Why? Recruiting has allowed me to leverage my passion for building and maintaining rewarding relationships with my clients while remaining challenged to find the perfect candidates and, in my case, it has also allowed me to keep updated with all the technology trends out there. I take pride in ensuring that placements are a strong match for both parties. There’s nothing more exciting than helping smart people find their next challenge. If I’m not working, I’m probably learning a new language, enjoying a glass of nice champagne or traveling. Also, I love meeting new people and learning new things, so feel free to connect and share your experience. :) If you are looking at hiring or contemplating your next career move in IT hit me up on sabrina@citirecruitment.com.
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