5 THINGS YOUR RESUME DOESN’T NEED (ANYMORE)

Hello! 1990s called—they want their resume back.

If you haven’t updated your resume in a while, there’s a good chance it’s cluttered with things that no longer matter. And in today’s ultra-competitive job market, every inch of your resume needs to work for you—not against you.

Recently, I worked with a senior executive, a Global SVP at a Fortune 500 company, who was applying for an internal position for the first time in his career. He sent me his resume, and it was nine pages long. No wonder HR told him, “You may want to work on your resume.”

With some strategic editing, we brought it down to two pages—without losing any impact. And guess what? He landed the interview.

Your resume should be clear, concise, and compelling.

Here are five things you should remove from your resume today to make it more effective:

1. The Objective Statement

Are you still including a section that starts with, “Seeking a challenging opportunity to contribute to a dynamic organization”? If so, it’s time to hit delete.

 Why? Because it’s obvious. The fact that you’re applying for the job already tells the hiring manager you want to contribute to the company. Instead of a vague objective statement, use that valuable space for an executive summary—a compelling introduction that highlights your top skills, experience, and the value you bring.

Think of it this way: The hiring manager should instantly know why you’re the right candidate without having to dig through paragraphs of text.

2. Personal details that don’t matter

Your resume is not a government form, and yet, I still see resumes listing:

• Full mailing address
• Marital status
• Number of children
• Religion
• Height and weight (yes, really)

The only personal details you need are:

• Your full name
• Your phone number and professional email address
• Your LinkedIn profile (if optimized)
• Your work authorization status (if relevant)

Everything else? Cut it.

In fact, including your mailing address can work against you. If a recruiter sees you live far from the office, they might assume you won’t want to commute—even if you’re open to relocating or hybrid work. Why take that risk?

3. References on your resume

This is one of the biggest mistakes I see, especially with senior professionals. Listing references (or even writing “References available upon request”) is a waste of space.

Why? Because employers only ask for references after they’re seriously considering you. No hiring manager looks at your resume and thinks, “Well, they have three references listed—let’s hire them!”

Also, including reference details—such as names, job titles, and phone numbers—can be risky. You’re essentially giving away high-value contacts that recruiters or competitors might use for their own purposes.

Instead, have a separate reference list ready only when requested.

4. Work Experience from 20+ years ago

Unless that early-career job is directly relevant to the role you’re applying for, you don’t need to list every position you’ve ever held.

A good rule of thumb: Focus on the last 10-15 years of experience.

Why? Because:

• The way businesses operate has drastically changed—what you did in 1998 may not be relevant today.
• If it’s that old, you’ve likely outgrown that experience.
• Hiring managers care most about your recent impact and achievements.

If you have older roles that are highly relevant, summarize them briefly without going into unnecessary details.

5. Every single task you’ve ever done

Your resume is not a job description—it’s a marketing document. Listing every single responsibility you had in a role makes your resume long, overwhelming, and, honestly, boring.

Instead, focus on:

1. Achievements (What impact did you make? What results did you drive?)
2. Metrics (Can you quantify your success? Increased revenue by 30%? Managed a $5M budget?)
3. Skills that align with your next role

If you’re transitioning careers or industries, highlight transferable skills that match your target role. Don’t just list what you did—showcase how you made a difference.

Final Thoughts

If your resume is longer than two pages, packed with outdated details, and filled with fluff, you’re making the hiring manager’s job harder. In a competitive job market, concise, results-driven resumes win.

Here’s your challenge:

• Take 15 minutes today and scan your resume.
• Remove these five outdated elements and make space for what really matters.

Until next week!

Always rooting for you, 

Shub (Your Career Growth Partner)

Content released on my YouTube Channel last week:

• Tips Tuesday (Watch time - 1 min 55 sec) - Why Your Salary Depends More on Negotiation Than Performance
• Deep-Dive Thursday (Watch time - 5 min 19 sec) - Which Type of Employee Are You?

To get in-depth tips and strategies for career development and job search, subscribe to my YouTube Channel

Here are other ways I can help you:

• Whenever you are ready, you can read up on the 3 ways I can help you land an amazing job here
• "Art & Science of Networking for Job Search" is now Live at the launch price of $99 to breakdown the entire networking roadmap to get you your next role
• Feeling alone in your job search or career growth? Join the Career Growth Circle starting June 1 — a supportive community of professionals learning to navigate corporate life, with expert input and practical tools.