Resume Expert Reveals the One Detail You Should Never Include to Avoid Ageism

A resume is your number one tool when applying for a new role, but if done incorrectly, it could set you up for failure. There are plenty of details we all know to leave off the page, but professional resume writer Melissa Peacock says that there's one detail people often include but never should.

But it's not as simple as leaving out your salary expectations or hobbies. Peacock says this detail should never make it onto the page because ageism is rife in the talent acquisition industry.

"Don't give more than 10 years of experience," Peacock tells nine.com.au. "Ageism is really strong. There are a lot of people who hang on to jobs from 20 years ago, but the tech is different. The way that things are done is different. And [it's] really not relevant."

If you have experience relevant to the role that is more than 10 years old, it should be brought up in response to an interview question, rather than included on your resume. "That way you can still explain what a career highlight for you was, and you don't have that judgment on paper," Peacock says.

The recommended way to structure your experience on your resume is from most to least recent, but if your recent experience isn't at all relevant to the role you're applying for, Peacock says that it's okay to "change it up". If you have nothing relevant in your last 10 years of work, it's okay to wind the clock back, but only if you do it correctly.

"We might include it in a way where the dates have been removed," Peacock explains. "But most people have done something relevant in the last five to 10 years, so focus on that."

When it comes to the myth that referee details should never be included, Peacock says it applies only if the job description doesn't request references. "The job description will tell you whether you need to put references. If they don't say specifically, 'You need one to three references,' leave it off," she says.

While including references when not requested might not necessarily harm your chances of securing the role, it could have a detrimental effect on your chances of landing a future opening at the same company. "[Having referee details on your resume] actually restricts them from keeping the resume on file, because they've got your permission to keep your details, but they don't have the permission of your referees," Peacock explains. "So, most of the time, if it's on there, corporate companies and large companies can't actually keep the resume on file."

Produced in partnership with CareerOne.