Resume Red Flags: What Experts Say You Should Remove
Three recruitment and career coaching experts have identified several elements that should be cut from resumes to boost job application success. Here's what they recommend leaving out—and what to keep.
Photos, Personal Details, and Privacy
Photos should never be included on a resume. Natasha Hawker, managing director of a HR and recruitment service, notes that in Australia, recruitment agencies often remove photos themselves. Jon Giorgioski, director of a resume consultancy, agrees: "Photos and graphics generally do not belong on a resume."
Date of birth, marital status, and full home address should be omitted to avoid bias, privacy concerns, or confusion.
Documents and References
Avoid attaching unnecessary documents unless explicitly requested. This includes:
- University transcripts
- Reference letters
- Certificates
Referee details should not be listed. Instead, write "referees available upon request." Hawker explains that unsolicited calls can occur if referees are unprepared. Career coach Annique Teycheney agrees, unless the job advertisement specifies otherwise.
The AI Trap
Common mistakes when using generative AI include failing to remove brackets or placeholders from copied content. Hawker advises checking and personalizing every response. Giorgioski warns that AI-generated content can be too generic, lacking specifics about how a person actually works.
What to Keep: Volunteering, Hobbies, and Early Achievements
Volunteering experience can be beneficial if relevant to the role—for example, volunteering at a zoo for animal welfare jobs. Hobbies can serve as talking points or show relevant connections. Teycheney suggests listing relevant hobbies under experience.
Including positions like school captain is appropriate for early career stages (within 5–10 years). Giorgioski notes that older achievements may still be relevant if they support the applicant's overall story.
The Golden Rule: Tailor Every Application
Hawker emphasizes avoiding a generic approach—tailor each resume to the specific job. Teycheney recommends having someone review the resume for feedback before submitting.
"Referees available upon request" is the standard, to avoid unsolicited calls to unprepared contacts.