Cut This From Your Resume This Year (9 Things)

Join Isaiah as he reviews nine of the most unnecessary and outdated elements in an industry resume – and what to use instead

In this week’s episode…

• First, Isaiah explains that resume trends are always evolving
• Next, he reviews nine outdated resume elements he sees PhDs using today that are big red flags for industry hiring managers
• Finally, Isaiah explains what up-to-date resumes need to capture and hold a recruiter’s attention

Resume Trends Are Always Evolving, Right Along With The Job Market

Resumes have been around for much longer than most of us realize. 

Did you know that historians give Leonardo DaVinci credit for writing the very first in 1482? 

It was his handwritten letter, summarizing his engineering abilities and experience to the Duke of Milan, that serves as one of the earlier examples of the modern-day resume. 

Obviously, things have changed quite a bit since that first resume and will continue to evolve. 

Today we’re going to check in about some outdated things that you should delete from your resume if you haven’t yet. 

Your Resume Should Be A Concise, Persuasive Document – Not A Complex Dossier

First is your address. 

Employers are reportedly less likely to hire candidates outside a certain radius of the company’s target zip code. 

Don’t give employers a reason to disqualify you by volunteering them your coordinates on a map. 

The second thing you should cut is your objective statement. 

This isn’t the 90s. 

Your resume should have a professional summary that highlights your expertise and showcases the value you can bring to a company. 

Objective statements are bland, generic blurbs that add no real value to your resume and add more reading time for the hiring party. 

They read hundreds of resumes a day – don’t make them toil over yours. 

Everything On It Should Be Recent And Relevant

A third thing you should think about removing is very old work experience that has no relevance to your current career goals. 

Don’t waste valuable space on your resume listing these old positions. 

Instead, focus on your most recent and relevant experience. 

Dates are a fourth thing that have no place in a resume. 

Unless a specific date range is required for a job, it’s not necessary to include the exact dates you held each position. 

Instead, use years or “X years” to indicate your tenure; this also cuts down on highlighting any employment gaps. 

The fifth bit of dead weight on your resume is jargon, as well as acronyms and initials. 

Unless it’s a transferable or niche skill you found on the job posting, avoid using it on your resume. 

Instead, use plain language that anyone can understand. 

It’s Important To Know What To Include (And What To Leave Off Too)

Number six: cut irrelevant facts, hobbies, or even accolades. 

You’re not a high school student getting a job at the ice cream stand. 

Your resume should be tailored to the specific job or industry you’re applying to.

It should be uncluttered by irrelevant information that has nothing to do with their requirements. 

Seven on our list is anything that is not absolute fact. 

Don’t exaggerate or make up information on your resume. 

Sell yourself, but stick to the facts and provide concrete examples of your qualifications and experience. 

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** For the full podcast, check out the audio player above.

If you’re ready to start your transition into industry, you can apply to book a free Transition Call with our founder Isaiah Hankel, PhD or one of our Transition Specialists. Apply to book a Transition Call here.