Writing a résumé (or even updating one) can be an intimidating task for anyone. And one of the most difficult parts is also one of the most basic – deciding what should and what should not be on it. 

It seems like rules are always changing and weeding out the details you don’t want while trying to figure out if you need to add new information can be stressful. 

So to make your résumé-writing life a little simpler, we’ve outlined seven elements listed below that do NOT belong on your résumé. Removing these things will clear up some space for the really important stuff. 

Outdated or irrelevant information

You want your résumé to represent the most current version of you. This means you should get rid of any information that doesn’t contribute to the profile of yourself that you’d like to create for potential employers. 

So while you’re in college, try to accumulate experiences that you can add to your résumé and further enhance your profile as a job candidate. You definitely shouldn’t have any high school experience or involvement listed on your résumé by the end of your second year in college. 

The experiences and details you choose to include in your résumé may also change based on the application. For example, you probably don’t need to include the fact that you worked at a grocery store for two years in high school if you’re applying to be a writer for a magazine. However, that experience could be valuable if you’re trying for a management position at a grocery chain. 

For this reason, it’s important to tailor your résumés specifically with each application you send, drawing attention to the most relevant details on your résumé for each position. 

References

A reference page, or the phrase “references available upon request,” does not belong on a résumé. The statement that you have references, or will provide them if desired by the employer, is fairly obvious and often simply assumed. Stating it on your résumé only takes up space. 

If an employer does require or request references, you should prepare a separate document for your reference list. This page should include about 3-5 references with their names, email information, phone numbers, and their relationship to you. You should also indicate the best way to contact each person. 

(Remember to ask permission before listing someone as a reference!) 

More than one font

This one’s easy. Just keep it simple. You want your résumé to be easy on the eyes, something an employer with very little time could glance over and read quickly without having to work too hard to find the important stuff. 

Sometimes people want to change up the font style of their headings or bullets to make it stand out and draw attention to the item, but this can actually be detrimental to the résumé. It creates more of a chaotic, asynchronous appearance that does not serve the information well or look professional. 

So save yourself some trouble, find a clear and basic font, and stick with it for the entirety of your résumé. Instead of changing fonts, try bolding your headings or using italics for dates so that our résumé isn’t all one-note. 

Photographs or graphics

It’s tempting to try and make your résumé really stand out with a nice, professional-looking photograph of yourself, or a personal logo you designed. However, these items tend to take up space and draw away from the main focus of your résumé – which should always be your qualifications and professional experiences. 

These days especially, you don’t really need a photo on your résumé if your LinkedIn account is updated and you include a link to your profile in your contact information. (This is highly recommended, as it gives employers an additional way to find out information about yourself, and it gives you a chance to showcase all of your experiences and work samples.) 

Objective statement

Objective statements are things of the past. You don’t need to tell the company you’re applying for that you want the position because you need a job or want experience!  

Instead, try adding a professional summary or a personal statement to your résumé to give it a more personal feeling. These statements give a brief (3-4 sentences max) synopsis of who you are and what type of experience you are looking for, as well as a potential long-term career goal or personal mission. 

This will give your résumé an added depth that won’t rehash obvious or clichéd statements. 

Low GPA

Your GPA can be a great asset on your résumé, but you don’t have to list it if it doesn’t represent what you believe you are capable of. Generally speaking, GPAs above 3.0 look impressive on a résumé. Anything less than that, you can leave out. 

If an employer really needs to know your GPA, they can request it separately or may choose to require a transcript in the application process.

Bottom line

At the end of the day, your résumé is your own creation, and you should feel that it represents you well, regardless of standard formats or expectations. So the rules above are more like guidelines for you to use when first learning how to best create a professional résumé. If you believe something makes sense for your résumé that goes against standard conventions, try it out anyway and see if it works for you.