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So if you're anything like me, someone in your family probably helped you create your first resume and you've kinda just been going from there. Hey, we all have to start somewhere, but let's not stay there, okay?

It's so easy for me to spot uninformed and "old school" resumes based on a combination of what they contain and what they lack. In this post, we're covering the items that you need to remove from your resume and some things you need to be sure to add.

Items to remove:

Objective Statement. You'll actually replace this self-seeking statement with a career summary.
"References available upon request." - Trust me, every employer fully expects that you will provide references if they request it.
Outdated honors. Unfortunately, no one cares that you were Vice President of the National Honor Society in high school. And this one may hurt, but if you've been out of college for more than 3 years, your GPA should go.
Your full mailing address. Your city and state will do just fine.
Non-professional email address. I know, I know. I had to lose the candy$oflyo8@aol.com, too.
More than 15 years of experience. Remember, they are looking for the skills you would bring to their company. If it's not a skill you've recently exercised, it doesn't really help them much!
Irrelevant work experience WHEN you have ample relevant experience. For example, anyone hiring for a Senior Program Manager position is not going to care that I worked in the produce department at a grocery store 10 years ago when I have 9+ years of project management experience.
Personal pronouns. Your resume should not include any "I", "me", "my" statements.
Your photo. Your experience, education and skills are enough for them to judge you on, don't add another layer.

Items to include (in addition to the obvious):

Correct contact information. This is arguably the single most important thing to check. I mean, you want them to contact you for an interview, right? Triple check that the information listed is correct.
Career Summary. Check out our full blog post dedicated to this topic!
Accomplishments. Job duties just won't cut it. Remember, you need to show the employer the value you would bring. Anyone can be assigned job duties - how you perform them is the magic that only you bring!
Relevant Volunteer Experience. Volunteering is an awesome way to gain skills and experience outside of your 9-to-5.
Hard AND Soft Skills. You need a good mix of both.

Note: This post includes an excerpt from The Professional Pivot Kit. If you enjoyed this post, check out this ultimate job seeker’s bundle! It includes everything you need to make your search a success!

Check out The Professional Pivot Kit