In terms of writing a resume, there is no such thing as a shortage of recommendation on the market. The issue is that if you happen to ask 100 different people find out how to write the right resume, you’re going to get 100 different answers.
For instance, one person may insist that you simply include an objective statement, while the following may insist that you simply remove it. Or it’s possible you’ll be told that “it depends,” which isn’t exactly helpful either.
Well, I’m here to inform you about one more “resume rule” that it’s best to follow that could be surprising. I had never questioned it before, and I’ve helped 1000’s of individuals write resumes.
What is that this one surprising thing it’s best to remove out of your resume?
It’s your own home address.
Yup! Even your contact information (which looks like essentially the most straightforward a part of writing a resume) might need slightly more attention than you thought.
But like most resume advice, whether it’s best to include your address or not “depends.”
Let’s have a look at the explanations for and against adding your address to your resume.
Why You Should Remove Your Address From Your Resume
First, listed below are the explanations it’s best to keep your address off of your resume.
1. Your Address is Private Information
Protecting your privacy matters, especially online, where hackers try to gather your personal information and data to scam you or steal your identity.
If you apply for a job online, you’re sharing loads about yourself. This could put you vulnerable to identity theft and threaten your safety, especially if you happen to are a vulnerable person or are in a vulnerable position.
The foremost job sites like Indeed and Monster aren’t at all times protected either, as there have been complaints about fraudulent job postings on each.
For those who’re unsure concerning the site’s security or in any respect hesitant to share your address, don’t share it. Your safety and peace of mind come first.
2. You Might Be Discriminated Against
Let’s face it. Sadly, there’s loads of stereotyping, bias, and discrimination on the planet. And while it is illegitimate to discriminate throughout the hiring process, it still happens on a regular basis, whether intentional or not.
Every city or town has its “wealthy” neighborhoods and its “bad” neighborhoods, which have more crime, low property values, and judgment concerning the individuals who live there.
For those who live in one in all these “bad” areas, a hiring manager might make a negative association about you and either reject your application based solely on these assumptions or search for other reasons to reject it.
That is improper and shouldn’t occur. A recruiter should know higher and have systems in place to assist prevent it.
But all of us have biases. And sometimes, we aren’t even aware that we’ve them. (Not that that’s excuse.)
And naturally, some people will knowingly discriminate against an applicant based on things like their address, name, or level of education.
How Do You Prove Discrimination?
Discrimination is, unfortunately, easy to get away with. It’s virtually unattainable to prove without concrete evidence or a confession from the employer.
Nobody will inform you that you simply didn’t get the job since you were discriminated against. Most places won’t offer you any explanation in any respect as to why you weren’t the successful candidate, let alone the candid truth.
For those who suspect you were discriminated against, you would want to rent a lawyer and sue the corporate. (Who can afford that?!) After which prove that the ONLY possible reason you were omitted for the job was due to discrimination. Attempting to prove that there wasn’t a single other applicant who was even barely more qualified than you could be unattainable.
3. It’s Out-Dated
A few years ago, employers used your mailing address to mail you the relevant documents and correspondence needed throughout the hiring process. Nowadays, every part is distributed over email as a substitute.
Most online applications would require you to incorporate your address as a part of your profile. So, from a practical standpoint, including your address in your resume is redundant.
4. It’s a Waste of Space
Your resume has only 6 seconds to pass the glance test. Your name and speak to information are typically one in all the primary things a recruiter will notice, because it’s right there front and center.
In fact, you would like them to recollect your name, but I doubt you would like them to recollect what street you live to tell the tale. There are way more necessary details about your skills, experience, and accomplishments that you would like to be remembered for.
From a formatting perspective, removing your full address can keep your resume to at least one page and make it more visually appealing and scannable.
5. You’re Relocating
For those who are willing to maneuver for a job or are already planning to maneuver and are applying for jobs in the brand new city, including your current physical address in your resume might mean it leads to the trash.
Some corporations are reluctant to rent people from out of town because hiring someone local is often faster and inexpensive. A neighborhood candidate can often start working much sooner and won’t ask for relocation costs.
Hiring someone moving specifically for the job will also be considered a risk. What in the event that they don’t like living in the brand new city? How long will they stay before they give the impression of being to maneuver again?
6. Employers Don’t Need It (Yet)
An employer doesn’t really need your address while you’re applying for a job. They won’t need it until they’ve interviewed you, are seriously fascinated by making a job offer, and need to run a background check. They may ask you for it after they need it.
Why You Should Include Your Address on Your Resume
There are also circumstances where including your address can show you how to and never hurt your possibilities. Listed below are a number of the reasons you may determine to maintain your address in your resume.
1. You Live Near-By
Do you reside near the office or administrative center? In that case, including your own home address might be considered favorable. The idea is that you simply’ll be more punctual and focused at work and shall be less stressed than those with an extended commute.
2. You Live in a “Good” Neighborhood
Positive discrimination also exists. It might not be fair, but when a possible employer sees that you simply live in neighborhood, they could be more impressed.
3. There may be a Strong Sense of Community Across the Job
After graduation, I landed my first job because I grew up in the realm and understood the community’s needs. I heard that that is what the manager said set my job application other than the remaining. They were on the lookout for someone local with strong community ties and didn’t want someone who didn’t know the region.
4. Employers Expect To See It
Leaving information off your resume can raise questions for hiring managers. Are you attempting to hide something? Do you not listen to detail? Are you the form of one who’s going to “break the principles” or not find a way to follow easy instructions?
Yes, many assumptions are happening here, but traditionally speaking, people expect resumes to look a certain way.
5. You Don’t Want an Incomplete Application
If the corporate is using an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) to screen applicants (which most do), your address could be arrange as a strategy to filter resumes. So, there’s a probability that you simply are by accident screening yourself out of the running by leaving it off.
Unfortunately, predicting what keywords or criteria an organization will use is unattainable. Nonetheless, there are other options (that are covered next).
You furthermore mght don’t know their internal application process. I realize this might sound ridiculous, but when the corporate has a record-keeping system that requires an address to create a file for you, they could skip over your resume and canopy letter because they will’t add you to their system.
Examples of (Safely) Include Your Address on Your Resume
Your resume has to have some contact information on it, and most online applications would require you to place something within the address field. So, what are your options for doing this safely without risking being rejected for the job?
1. Use Your City & State
Some of the straightforward solutions is to exclude your full street address and list the town and state (or province) where you reside.
Example: Jane Doe – Toronto, Ontario
2. Use Your City, State & Zip Code
Adding your zip code (or postal code) can assist narrow down the realm you reside inside your city, however it doesn’t explicitly tell anywhere where your home is.
Example: Jane Doe – Seattle, WA 98109
3. Use Your Region
If these options don’t be just right for you, think about using your region as a substitute. It gives hiring managers a general idea of where you reside without being too specific.
Example: John Doe – Upstate Latest York
4. Relocating to City & State
For those who are relocating, you most likely don’t have an address yet to incorporate. In that case, it’s best to include the town and state you’re relocating to, together with the date you anticipate moving. It’s as much as you if you would like to add your current address or not.
You must also mention this in your cover letter and let potential employers know what your relocating plan is to make clear any questions they could have.
Example: John Doe – Relocating to Latest York, NY in October 2024
Example: Jane Doe – Seattle, WA 98109 / Relocating to Latest York, NY in October 2024
5. No Address or Location
Lastly, if you happen to select not to reveal your location in any respect, make sure you include a phone number and email address where an employer can reach you.
Example: John Doe – Phone (555) 555-5555 / Email: John@mail.com
Should You Include Your Address on Your Resume?
Deciding whether or not to incorporate your address in your resume looks like one in all the last things job seekers should should fret about. But when you could have privacy concerns, there are suitable options to make use of that don’t involve disclosing your own home address.
What do you’re thinking that? Do you utilize your full home address in your resume or one in all the variations mentioned?
Amanda Kay, the founding father of My Life, I Guess, provides worthwhile profession advice and support for anyone striving to make a living and, more importantly, make a life. Whether it’s navigating job searches, learning latest skills, overcoming unemployment, or coping with debt, My Life, I Guess has been a go-to resource for profession guidance and financial stability since 2013. Amanda’s expertise and relatable approach have been featured in trusted publications corresponding to MSN, Credit.com, Yahoo! Finance, the Ladders and Fairygodboss.
