We’ve seen it all: MySpace URLs, Comic Sans, and one guy who said he “invented hustle.”
When written well, a resume helps hiring teams quickly understand who you are, what you’ve done, and where you can add value. But if you’ve included the wrong things – even unintentionally – you risk taking yourself out of the running before a real conversation ever begins.
At Executive Career Partners, we’ve reviewed more resumes than we can count. Over time, we’ve seen clear patterns in what works, what gets ignored, and what quietly hurts your chances. Many of the missteps people make come from a well-meaning place: trying to show personality, be thorough, or prove they’ve done the work. But if it isn’t helping your case, it’s working against you.
Here’s our up-to-date list of 35 commonly-seen things that don’t belong on a modern resume – along with more effective alternatives to help you sharpen your story and get seen for the right reasons.
🚫 What to Leave Off – and What to Do Instead
1. The word “Resume” at the top
Just lead with your name and a professional title – no need to label the document.
2. A headshot (in U.S.-based roles)
Unless you’re in entertainment or live somewhere it’s required, leave the photo off to reduce bias and keep the focus on your experience.
3. An outdated or quirky email address
Stick with something professional, usually a variation of your name. Avoid personal nicknames or older domains like Hotmail or AOL.
4. A long-winded professional summary with zero focus
Instead of vague summaries packed with buzzwords, write a crisp value statement tailored to the kind of role you want. Lead with impact, not adjectives.
5. Aggressive or overly clever language about ambition
Saying you plan to “take the hiring manager’s job” might sound confident to you – but it rarely comes across well. Show leadership through results, not declarations.
6. Your full home address
City and state are enough. There’s no hiring advantage in listing your full street address anymore.
7. A list of every job you’ve ever had
Unless it’s directly relevant, experience older than 10–15 years can usually be summarized or left off entirely.
8. Health disclosures of any kind
Details about physical or mental health belong in confidential conversations, not on a resume.
9. Your age, birthdate, or graduation year (unless recent)
Age-related details often create unintended bias. Highlight experience, not timelines.
10. Salary expectations or compensation history
That discussion comes later – not on your resume, and not in your cover letter either.
11. References or “References available upon request”
Everyone assumes you’ll provide them when asked.
12. High school education (if you have more advanced credentials)
Once you’ve graduated college or gained significant work experience, high school can be removed.
13. One-off academic achievements with no real weight
If it’s not impressive or relevant, like one semester on the Dean’s List ten years ago, skip it.
14. Skills that are too basic to be meaningful
Proficiency in email or Microsoft Word won’t help you stand out in 2025.
15. Paragraphs or long, dense blocks of text
Use short, clean bullet points. Keep things skimmable and focused.
16. Job descriptions copied verbatim
Hiring teams want to see what you accomplished, not what your role was supposed to be.
17. More than one or two fonts or inconsistent formatting
A simple, professional layout always wins. Use clean type and spacing to your advantage.
18. First-person pronouns (“I,” “me,” “my”)
Resume writing skips these for clarity and space. Start bullets with action verbs instead.
19. Third-person writing
Don’t refer to yourself by name – it creates distance and reads awkwardly.
20. Acronyms or jargon that outsiders wouldn’t recognize
Spell out terms on first reference and avoid assuming everyone knows your industry lingo.
21. Gaps labeled as “Unemployed”
Frame these periods around what you did – consulting, caregiving, learning, volunteering – instead of what you didn’t do.
22. Photos of awards, badges, or certificates
It’s best to describe key credentials in writing. Visuals clutter resumes and don’t always translate well across platforms.
23. Negative commentary about past employers or teams
Even if it’s true, it won’t serve you here. Focus on what you learned or achieved.
24. Outdated or irrelevant tech, platforms, or certifications
Listing Lotus Notes, Flash, or expired training makes you look behind the curve. Prioritize skills that matter today.
25. Outright lies or exaggerations
Everything on your resume should hold up under scrutiny.
26. Overuse of generic buzzwords
“Team player,” “go-getter,” “hard worker” – these say very little. Replace them with real accomplishments or stats.
27. A long list of unrelated side gigs
Unless they directly support your current career goals, side jobs from another chapter in your life may just dilute your focus.
28. Quirky personal hobbies or niche interests
“Wine tasting” or “watching anime” don’t belong unless they directly relate to the role or your personal brand.
29. Expired certifications or professional memberships you no longer engage with
Only include credentials that are current and valuable in your target industry.
30. Old accolades with no recent follow-up
If you haven’t won an award since 2001, you’re better off highlighting something else.
31. Irrelevant volunteer experience
Community involvement can be great – just make sure it supports your narrative.
32. Typist speed, shorthand, or clerical benchmarks
Unless you’re applying for a role that specifically requires these, they’re usually not necessary.
33. Sloppy formatting – uneven spacing, misaligned margins, inconsistent bullets
Visual clarity builds credibility. Take the time to make it clean.
34. Generic statements that say nothing
Phrases like “Results-driven professional with a passion for excellence” take up space without saying much. Be specific.
35. Any line that doesn’t strengthen your candidacy
Every word should earn its place. If it doesn’t support your goals, leave it out.
Final Thoughts
A great resume doesn’t list everything you’ve done – it highlights what matters most for where you’re going next. Keep it clean, focused, and honest.
The goal isn’t to impress everyone. It’s to make the right person stop and say, “This is someone worth talking to.”
