In today’s super-competitive job market, crafting a stand out resume isn’t about stuffing it with buzzwords or outdated conventions.

It’s about clarity, relevance, and capturing attention quickly.

As someone who has been an applicant and a hiring professional, I have navigated the intricacies of hiring for years.

I’ve seen firsthand how small tweaks to a resume can yield big results.

Let’s break down for you some common mistakes and why eliminating these items can supercharge your application.

1. Soft Skills

You’re “hard-working,” “a team player,” and “detail-oriented”? That’s amazing—but hiring managers have heard it all before.

Their eyes start to glaze over.

These descriptors are often so generic that they’ve lost their meaning.

Instead of telling employers you’re hardworking, show them.

For instance, instead of saying:

"I am a detail-oriented project manager."

Try:

"Led a $2M project from concept to completion, delivering under budget and two weeks ahead of schedule."

Quantifiable results speak louder than vague adjectives.

A former colleague, Tammy, once updated her resume to replace “strong communicator” with “delivered over 50 training sessions to cross-functional teams, improving efficiency by 15%.”

The result?

She landed three interviews within a month after months of radio silence.

2. Graduation Dates

Ageism in hiring is a very real issue. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or a recent grad, your graduation year can work against you—even if it’s illegal for employers to discriminate based on age.

A good friend of mine, Rob, removed his graduation date after realizing that he was being overlooked for roles he was clearly qualified for. Suddenly, his phone started ringing.

Why?

Because his experience and accomplishments spoke for themselves, free from the bias of a timestamp.

If you’re a new graduate worried about appearing inexperienced, lean into your recent successes instead.

Highlight relevant internships, certifications, or capstone projects—things that demonstrate your ability to hit the ground running.

3. References, Objectives, and Summaries

This might be controversial, but it’s time to retire these relics of resumes past.

• References: Employers will ask for them when they need them.
• Objective Statements: You applied for the job; they already know you’re interested.
• Summaries: A well-structured resume speaks for itself.

Instead of wasting precious space on these sections, dive straight into your skills and achievements.

Imagine you’re curating a storefront window. You wouldn’t clutter it with irrelevant decor—you’d display your most dazzling items front and center.

One job seeker I worked with, Erin, replaced her lengthy objective statement with a bulleted list of key accomplishments. Within weeks, she secured a job offer, with one interviewer even commenting on how “refreshingly direct” her resume was.

4. Location

In an increasingly remote-friendly world, your home address doesn’t matter.

What does matter?

A clean, professional header that immediately conveys your name, contact information, and LinkedIn profile (next time I will tell you exactly why your resume and your Linkedin profile MUST sync up - don’t miss it).

Think about the hiring manager scrolling through dozens of applications.

They’re not interested in where you live (especially if the job is remote); they want to see what you bring to the table.

Removing your address can declutter your résumé and direct their attention to your credentials.

A perfect example of this is my friend Paul. He applied for a remote role but initially included his small-town address. After removing it and streamlining his header, he noticed an uptick in responses.

His theory?

Companies previously assumed he’d be unwilling to relocate or unsuited for remote work based solely on his address.

Note

One caveat is if the time zone you live in must be specified. Simply give it to them. They likely want to make sure your work hours are aligned with their needs or they want you to travel in your region.

Why It Matters

These resume tweaks aren’t just about aesthetics—they’re about strategy.

Each change helps eliminate distractions and biases, ensuring that hiring managers focus on what really matters: your ability to excel in the role.

At Jobity, we’re building an app that takes these principles to the next level.

Imagine an app that not only helps candidates refine their resumes but also connects them with hiring managers in a way that prioritizes skills and achievements over superficial details.

An app that provides constructive feedback and removes the guesswork from the hiring process.

That’s what we’re striving to create.

Success Story

Let me share a story about Emily, a marketing professional who felt stuck in her career. She had a beautifully designed resume filled with “soft skills” and a traditional summary section. But after weeks of no callbacks, she decided to revamp her approach.

She replaced her “strong interpersonal skills” line with a bullet point about organizing a company-wide rebranding campaign that increased engagement by 30%.

She also removed her graduation date and added a clean LinkedIn link instead of her full address.

Within a short time, she had two offers.

Emily’s story isn’t unique—it’s proof that small changes can lead to big opportunities.

What This Means for You

If you’re still clinging to old resume conventions, it’s time to let go.

Here’s how you can take action today:

Audit Your Resume: Look for outdated sections and filler words. Ask yourself, “Does this add value?” If the answer is no, cut it.

Focus on Data: Quantify your achievements wherever possible. Numbers are compelling and easy to understand.

Embrace Simplicity: Keep your resume clean and concise. A hiring manager should be able to skim it and immediately grasp your qualifications.

Leverage LinkedIn: Ensure your LinkedIn profile aligns with your resume. This consistency builds credibility and showcases your personal brand. More about that topic on your next newsletter, so stay tuned.

A Peek Behind the Curtain

Why am I so passionate about these changes?

Because I’ve been on both sides of the hiring table.

I’ve seen talented candidates overlooked because their resumes didn’t reflect their true potential.

I’ve also watched hiring managers struggle with clunky, inefficient processes that don’t do justice to the incredible people applying for their roles.

That’s why I started Jobity.

I wanted to create a solution that addresses these pain points and more, head-on.

By streamlining the hiring process and empowering candidates with actionable feedback, we’re not just improving resumes—we aim to transform lives.

The Future of Hiring

The hiring landscape is changing, and we need to change with it.

Whether it’s removing graduation dates to combat ageism or ditching summaries in favor of impactful bullet points, every decision we make can help level the playing field.

At Jobity, we believe in a future where every candidate gets a fair shot and every hiring manager finds the right fit.

It’s not just about filling roles—it’s about building connections that last.

So, what’s next for you?

Are you ready to take your resume to the next level and embrace the future of hiring?

Start by making these changes today.

And if you have suggestions or questions about Jobity, drop them in the comments below.

Let’s build something incredible together.

Becky Gosky, HR Consultant and Founder, Jobity