Resume Writing Help: Walking the Tightrope of Information

Giving TMI (Too Much Information) to employers can hurt you! The key is to give employers enough information to keep their interest without giving them information that isn't pertinent!

This free resume writing help online can help you avoid making some common mistakes. Review this checklist of details NOT to include on your resume!

Some Helpful Tips on Writing a Resume

8 Details NOT** To Include On Your Resume:

1. Your Social Security Number
Never list your Social Security number on the resume. The employer will not need your social security information until they hire you, so keep your social security number safe and secure by leaving it off your resume.

2. Salary Requirement
There is no need to include your required salary on your resume; the employer may be willing to pay you more than what you would ask for. If you state on your resume that you will work for less, then they will surely offer you less!

Here is some resume writing help for dealing with employers who ask for your salary requirement. If the employer asks specifically in their job ad for your required salary, you can include this information on your cover letter. If you're required to state it, be honest about your requirements; you'll save yourself and the employer unnecessary time.

3. Past & Current Salary
Like the salary requirement, there is no need to include your past or current salary on your resume. While this may come up at some point in the negotiation process, you don't want to tip the employer off ahead of time, as they may have slotted significantly more in their budget than the salary you are currently receiving.

Also, you will probably never get an employer to pay more than the salary range that they have already allotted in the budget. So putting your current or past salary on your resume can only negotiate you down, not up!

Remember, your salary figure alone doesn't represent a complete picture of your current compensation package; the value of your insurance, retirement, and other benefits has to be figured in to properly compare an offer.

4. Graduation Dates for the Older Worker
If you are concerned about your age affecting your job search, here is some resume advice. It is best to review your resume for things that inadvertently reveal your age, such as Graduation Dates that are over 20 years old, and remove them.

5. GPA's less than 3.0
While GPA is certainly not an indicator of how successful in life one will be, it is best only to list a GPA that is 3.0 or above (on a 4.0 scale) on your resume. However, if your College Major GPA is 3.0 or above, then you can list your Major GPA and omit your overall GPA.

6. Clubs & Organizations Not Related to the Job You?re Applying For
Part of what makes an effective resume is giving only information relevant to the position you are applying for. You may be a member of several clubs and organizations, but leave them off the resume unless they directly relate to the position you're applying for. For instance, if you serve as an officer in an organization, you will want to note that on your resume to demonstrate your leadership skills.

7. A Reference Section
Another resume writing help tip is, do NOT include a section on your resume that says, "References, Will Provide Upon Request". You will send a separate Resume Reference Sheet with your references listed on it along with your Resume. Don't make the employer work by having to request them!

8. An Un-Professional E-mail Address
Don't use un-professional E-mail Addresses like NascarRoady@hotmail.com or BabyMomma@hotmail.com to give the employer information about you that isn't relevant. You should set up a separate E-mail address just for your job search use and check it daily. The E-mail address should have a professional tone to it, perhaps your last name and first initial, for instance, SmithJ@hotmail.com.

**(The only exception to this Resume Writing Help list is for Federal Employment, which requires social security numbers and past salaries to be stated on the resume.)