Resume Dos and Don’ts

When it comes to resumes, small choices can make a big impact. Here’s a quick list of do’s and don’ts to keep your resume polished, professional, and ready to impress.

✅ Do: Include an objective statement

You don’t need a full paragraph—just a sentence or two that clearly communicates your skills, experience, and career goals. While some say the objective statement is outdated, it can be especially helpful if you’re new to the workforce, pivoting industries, or making a career change. It helps hiring managers make sense of any parts of your resume that might not obviously align with the role.

❌ Don’t: Include your home address

Not even the city and state. Why? Your location should have no bearing on your candidacy—and unfortunately, including an address can open the door to bias or scams. Some fake job listings even use this info to sell or misuse your personal details. Keep it off.

✅ Do: Use a touch of color

Sounds minor, but when recruiters are skimming through dozens of resumes, they start to blend together. A subtle pop of color (think accent headings or borders) can help yours stand out. Will it land you the job? No—but it’s a nice touch that gets noticed.

❌ Don’t: Include a photo

Unless you’re applying for a modeling or acting gig that specifically asks for one, leave the headshot off. Like your address, a photo can invite bias—or attract scammers. Your skills should speak for themselves.

✅ Do: Highlight awards and recognition

Shout yourself out—just be ready to talk about it. If the award is specific to a past organization, be prepared to explain its significance. Employers love to see evidence of impact.

❌ Don’t: List hobbies

Unless your hobby directly supports the role (like coding for a dev job or writing for a content role), skip it. Your resume is prime real estate—save it for relevant skills and experience.

This concludes Part One of Resume Dos and Don’ts.
If you found this helpful, like, share, and drop a comment letting us know you want Part 2!