15 Things to Avoid Putting on Your Resume in 2026

Feeling that rush of excitement when you discover a job listing that aligns perfectly with your aspirations? You’re not alone; for every job opening, countless candidates share that same enthusiasm. In 2026’s competitive job market, it’s crucial to present a standout resume that captures the attention of hiring managers quickly.

Here are 15 things to avoid putting on your resume to enhance your chances of landing an interview.

Key Takeaways:

• To impress hiring managers during their brief review, you must highlight your relevant experiences and qualifications effectively.

• Hiring managers often search for reasons to eliminate candidates, so including irrelevant information can sabotage your job search.

• Employers typically spend about 6-10 seconds skimming your resume before deciding whether to proceed with your application.

15 Things to Avoid Putting on Your Resume

With countless resumes flooding in for each job listing, employers rarely have the time to thoroughly review every submission. They typically glance over your resume for 6-10 seconds to determine its fate. Here’s what you should avoid:

1. Your age. Employers are focused on your skills and qualifications, not your age. Avoid including:

   • Professional experience that is over 15 years old.

   • Your graduation date.

   • A precise number of years of experience in a field (e.g., “Executive Assistant with over 20 years of experience…”).

   Including your age can lead to age discrimination, whether perceived as being too young or too old.

2. Personal Details. There’s no need for employers to know intimate details about your life. In fact, it’s illegal for employers to ask about:

   • Marital status

   • Race

   • Sexual orientation

   • Religion

   • Age or birth date

   • Citizenship

   Other unnecessary personal information includes:

   • Height and weight

   • Political affiliation

   • Unrelated hobbies or interests—unless pertinent to the job.

   Only include your name, city, state, and contact information.

3. Irrelevant or outdated work experiences. Avoid listing every job you’ve held; include only those in the last 10-15 years that demonstrate qualifications pertinent to the position. Outdated information can lose the employer’s interest.

   • Every entry on your resume should reinforce your candidacy. Exclude anything unrelated, unless it fills gaps in your employment history. If your work history is limited, include slightly unrelated positions that showcase transferable skills.

   • If you advanced within a single company, consider summarizing earlier roles. For instance, if your latest position is as Vice President, you can simply list your prior roles without detailed descriptions.

   • Use one entry for the company and detail your most recent roles; earlier positions can be listed with job titles and dates only.

4. Inconsistent formatting. Your resume’s layout is as crucial as its content. Choose a format that allows employers to quickly locate your experience, skills, and career goals. Common formatting mistakes include:

   • Unnecessary elements. Avoid headers, footers, tables, images, or charts that distract from your content. These can hinder readability and may not pass through applicant tracking systems (ATS).

   • Outdated or elaborate fonts. Stick to sleek, easy-to-read fonts. Fancy fonts may not be suitable for professional documents.

   • Long paragraphs without bullet points. Long blocks of text are easily overlooked. For most job applicants, bullet points should be concise and impactful.

5. Salary information. Do not include your desired salary unless explicitly requested. Discussing salary is best reserved for later in the interview process.

   Including salary information can appear unprofessional and may lead hiring managers to dismiss your application.

6. Typos and errors. Your resume should be free of typos, misspellings, and grammatical mistakes. These can create a negative impression.

   • Your resume is often the first impression employers have of your attention to detail. Use editing tools, read it backwards for a fresh perspective, and have someone else review it for clarity.

7. Blatant lies and opinions. Do not fabricate experiences or achievements. Instead, focus on what you can genuinely contribute to the role.

   Employers value facts over opinions. Instead of stating you’re a “great communicator,” provide examples that demonstrate your skills.

8. References. If employers want references, they will ask. Including them on your resume wastes valuable space. Prepare a separate document to provide references when requested.

9. Objectives. Rather than stating your career goals, craft a resume summary statement that showcases what you can offer the employer.

   Only include an objective if you’re in a unique situation, like recently graduating or transitioning careers.

10. Unnecessary words, jargon, or buzzwords.

    • Unnecessary phrasing. Avoid stating “phone number” or “email address” as these are self-evident. Use specific language to describe your skills and accomplishments.

    • Company-specific jargon. Avoid terms that are unique to your previous employers; these may not be understood by others.

    • Overused buzzwords. Stay away from terms like “synergy” or “go-getter.” Instead, use strong action verbs like “achieved” or “launched” where applicable.

11. Anything negative. Your resume should project a positive image; avoid mentioning negative experiences. Do not explain why you left a job unless asked.

    Focus on your achievements and skills rather than unfinished projects or unfulfilled aspirations.

12. Lists of tasks without results. Employers want to see accomplishments, not just duties. Instead of saying you “managed a filing system,” specify how you “increased efficiency by 30% by implementing a new filing system.”

    • Frequency. Mention how often you performed tasks (e.g., “answered 10 customer queries daily”).

    • Range. Use ranges to describe dynamic duties (e.g., “managed a team of 4-9 contractors”).

    • Scale. Include relevant numbers and values (e.g., “managed accounts worth $1.2M+”).

    • Increase. Highlight measurable outcomes (e.g., “boosted sales by 13% quarterly”).

13. Names of current or previous employers. Do not include your current employer’s name unless you’re comfortable with them being contacted. This could jeopardize your current position.

    Instead, list this information only on your references document, and ensure to inform your references beforehand.

14. Time off and short-term employment. Avoid including personal sabbaticals or brief employment stints that may raise questions. Focus on relevant, impactful experiences instead.

15. Unprofessional email addresses and social media links. If you’re using an outdated email like pbr4ever@aol.com, consider creating a more professional one.

    • Exclude links to personal blogs, social media accounts unrelated to your professional persona, or anything that doesn’t pertain to the job.

    • However, if applying for a social media role, your impressive portfolio might be relevant.

    • Include professional links, such as your LinkedIn profile or an online portfolio, that directly relate to the position.

Other Things to Leave Out of Your Resume

• Photographs. Unless you’re in modeling or acting, photos can be inappropriate and lead to bias.

• GPA. Once you’re out of school, grades become less relevant. Unless you’re a recent graduate with a GPA over 3.8, omit it.

• High school. Only include your high school diploma if it’s your highest degree or you’re still in college.

• Criminal record. Leave this out unless required; if it comes up, address it during the hiring process.

• Personal pronouns. Avoid using “I,” “me,” or “my” to maintain professionalism.

Resume FAQ

1. What skills should you not include on a resume?

   The top skills to avoid on your resume are:

   • Languages you aren’t fluent in.

   • Basic computer skills.

   • Irrelevant skills to the job listing.

   • Lies or exaggerations.

   • Outdated skills.

2. What is a common resume mistake?

   Spelling errors and poor grammar are frequent mistakes. Always proofread your resume before submitting. Additionally, never include false information.

3. What is the 30-second rule for a resume?

   The 30-second rule implies your resume should grab attention within 30 seconds or less. This is crucial in a competitive market where hiring managers have limited time to evaluate applications.

4. How long should your resume be?

   Your resume should ideally be one page long. Include only relevant and recent experiences, as anything beyond one page is likely to be overlooked.

References

1. Harvard University Graduate School of Design – How to Write A Resume That Stands Out

Author

Maddie Lloyd

Maddie Lloyd was a writer for the Zippia Advice blog focused on researching tips for interview, resume, and cover letter preparation. She's currently a graduate student at North Carolina State University's department of English concentrating in Film and Media Studies.

Expert

Don Pippin, MHRM, CPRW, CDCS

Don Pippin is an executive and HR leader for Fortune 50 and 500 companies and startups. In 2008, Don launched area|Talent with a focus on helping clients identify their brand. As a Certified Professional Resume Writer, Certified Digital Career Strategist, and Certified Personal Branding Strategist, Don guides clients through career transitions.