7 things not needed on your resume in Nigeria: It is the year 2022, and job applications are undergoing a transformation. From the usage of applicant tracking systems to alternative assessment methods, recruiting is evolving at a quick rate, as are the laws that govern the field.
One of the processes impacted is the manner in which resumes/CVs are presented. Whether developed in Figma or written in PDF, resumes are a critical component of the recruitment process.
While some recruiters are critical of your CV’s structure, every recruiter is critical of its substance.
Things not needed on your resume
You may have heard that recruiters only spend six seconds every resume; how do you maximize those six seconds? By abstaining from the following errors;
1. Detailed address: The year is 2022, and no recruiter needs to know your exact address. Addresses are frequently included on CVs to indicate a candidate’s proximity to work. However, this is 2022, and such factors are irrelevant, owing to the world’s shift toward a near-hybrid system.
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Additionally, it may act as a deterrent when comparing or selecting candidates, as recruiters may favor an employee who remains nearby. Rather than writing your complete address, you could simply write your city, local government, or LCDA, along with the statement “you are available to relocate.” By including this remark, you are conveying to the recruiter a subtle message that you are not bound by geography and are willing to relocate if the position necessitates it. You may be surprised to learn that some organizations have a relocation allowance and are willing to spend it on you if you are worth the investment.
2. Date of birth: Unless you are applying for a government position or it is required, including your date of birth on your CV is highly irrelevant. Date of birth produces an unanticipated bias in the recruiter’s mind, since everyone is, and rightfully so, looking for young, intelligent people. While putting your date of birth may seem advantageous if you are young, you may also be unlucky if your CV is read by a recruiter who is age or generation-biased. For instance, I’ve heard of instances where a millennial was hired over a gen-z candidate, not due to a lack of competence, but because the hiring manager believed the talent, while intelligent and competent, might lack the maturity necessary to handle the role. Believe me, you do not want that to be your situation.
3. Marital status: This may sound harsh, but unless you are applying for a government position, I believe that including your marital status gives you no benefit, especially when no preference is specifically stated in the job description. If the marital status is critical to the operation of the role, it will be specified in the job description.
4. Religion: There is no reason to include your religion on your CV because, frankly, no one cares. Unless you are applying to a religious-based organization, including your faith in your paperwork adds little value.
5. Overused verbs/phrases: Believe it or not, recruiters are tired of hearing phrases like “ability to perform under pressure,” “multitask,” and “I can learn on the job.” Rather than that, use active verbs such as “collaborated,” “led,” “facilitated,” and “orchestrated.”
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Additionally, you may quantify and affect your experiences in a way that encourages the recruiter to contact you for an interview.
6. Typographical errors: No one is immune to typographical errors, including the author of this post, which is why it is critical to have a second and third set of eyes evaluate your documents before submitting them for application.
7. Fundamental understanding of Microsoft packages: The year is 2022, and everyone is expected to have a working knowledge of Microsoft packages. Unless it is expressly stated as a need in the job description or you are highly proficient, you are not required to include this as a list item.
There are numerous more factors that put recruiters off, but a good litmus test is this: Does this information increase or diminish my chances of being selected for an interview or aptitude test?
Because your CV/Resume is a document that offers your best self to a prospective employer, everything that does not fall into that category should be omitted.
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