Some resume advice ages well. Some doesn't. Unfortunately, many of the conventions people still include on their resumes are holdovers from a different era, and they're actively hurting your chances.
Here are eight things you should delete from your resume today. No hedging, no "it depends." Just delete them.
1. Your Full Home Address
Including your full street address on a resume is a practice from the era when employers mailed offer letters. Today, it serves no purpose and carries real risk.
Why it hurts you: Your location can trigger unconscious bias. It can reveal socioeconomic information that has nothing to do with your qualifications. And if a recruiter screens by location, they might skip you for a role you'd be willing to relocate for.
What to do instead: List your city and state (or city and country for international applications). That's enough for the recruiter to confirm timezone and relocation viability. If they need your full address, they'll ask during onboarding.
2. "References Available Upon Request"
This phrase has been on resumes so long that most people include it without thinking. It wastes a full line that could be used for something meaningful.
Why it hurts you: It's assumed that you'll provide references when asked. Including this line communicates nothing. Recruiters know they can ask for references. They don't need your permission.
What to do instead: Use that line for an additional bullet point, a certification, or a link to your portfolio. If you're concerned about running out of space, this is the first thing to cut.
3. Objective Statements
Unless you're a student or making a radical career change, your resume should not have an objective statement.
Why it hurts you: Objectives are about what YOU want. "Seeking a challenging position where I can grow my skills" tells the employer nothing about what you bring to them. The recruiter is thinking about their needs, not yours.
What to do instead: Replace it with a professional summary, 2-3 sentences that describe who you are, your experience level, and a key achievement. This tells the employer what you offer, not what you want.
4. Generic Hobbies and Interests
"In my free time I enjoy reading, hiking, and spending time with family." This is on approximately 40% of all resumes. It says nothing about you.
Why it hurts you: Generic hobbies waste space. Unless your hobby is relevant to the role or demonstrates transferable skills (like "Competitive strategy gamer, ranked in top 1% nationally"), it's filler.
What to do instead: Either omit hobbies entirely or include only those that are genuinely unique and relevant. "Marathon runner" demonstrates discipline. "Competitive chess" demonstrates strategic thinking. "Reading" does not differentiate you.
5. A Photo (in North America)
Resume photo practices vary by country. In much of Europe and Asia, a professional headshot is standard. In the United States and Canada, including a photo can create legal risk for employers who might be accused of bias in hiring.
Why it hurts you: Many North American companies will discard resumes with photos to avoid liability. Your photo also introduces unconscious bias, positive or negative, that has nothing to do with your qualifications.
What to do instead: Don't include a photo unless the job description explicitly asks for one or you're applying in a country where photos are expected. When in doubt, check local norms.
6. Salary History or Requirements
Unless the application form explicitly requires it, never include salary information on your resume.
Why it hurts you: If you disclose a number that's below their range, you've left money on the table. If you disclose a number above their range, you might be screened out before they even consider your qualifications. There is no upside.
What to do instead: If the application asks, use "Negotiable" or a broad range based on market research. Let the employer make the first offer. If they push for a number before an interview, provide a range, not a fixed figure.
7. Outdated Technical Skills
Listing skills that were relevant ten years ago makes you look out of touch, not experienced.
Why it hurts you: "Microsoft Word," "Email," and "Internet" are not skills worth listing. Neither are outdated technologies like Windows 7, Internet Explorer, or legacy software that no modern company uses. They signal that you haven't updated your resume in years.
What to do instead: Review your skills section with a critical eye. Keep only skills that are currently relevant and in demand. If you haven't used a skill in three years and it's not relevant to the jobs you're targeting, remove it.
8. "I" or "My" in Bullet Points
Your resume is a professional document, not a first-person narrative. Including "I" or "my" in bullet points is grammatically unnecessary and reads as less polished.
Why it hurts you: "I led a team of 5" is three words that could be two: "Led a team of 5." The first-person pronoun adds nothing. In a document where every word counts, extra words hurt.
What to do instead: Start every bullet point with a strong action verb. No "I," no "my," no "our." Just the verb and the achievement.
The Cut List
If you do nothing else, delete these eight things from your resume right now:
- Full street address → City and state only
- "References available upon request" → Delete the line entirely
- Objective statement → Replace with professional summary
- Generic hobbies → Cut or make them relevant
- Photo (US/Canada) → Remove unless explicitly requested
- Salary information → Leave for the negotiation phase
- Outdated technical skills → Keep only current, relevant skills
- "I" and "My" in bullet points → Start every bullet with a verb
Your resume has limited space. Every line should earn its place by helping the recruiter understand why you're the right person for the job. If it doesn't do that, it doesn't belong.