Building a resume that works in 2025 is a different game. You could have the experience, the skills, even the perfect job in front of you, and still get ghosted. Often, it’s not what you’re missing that’s the problem. It’s what you’re including.
Some of the things on your resume that you think may help you are actually hurting your chances. Old habits, outdated language, and irrelevant extras only make your resume feel bloated, bland, or just straight-up confusing.
But here’s the good news: once you know what to cut, your resume becomes sharper, clearer, and more powerful. And with tools like Lightforth’s Resume Builder, that cleanup job takes minutes.
So, let’s identify 11 things to remove from your resume immediately if you want to stand out in 2025.
1. Your Full Address
Listing your full home address used to be standard practice. But in today’s world, it’s more of a liability than a necessity.
Including your full address can subtly invite geographic bias. Whether it’s assumptions about commute time, relocation complications, or even unconscious bias based on your neighborhood, adding your address to your resume is like setting a trap for yourself. Plus, you’re using up space that could be better spent.
What’s better? Simply list your city and state or region, or write “Remote” if that’s your preference. That gives recruiters just enough context without oversharing.
2. An Outdated Objective Statement
You know the one: “To obtain a challenging position where I can grow professionally…” Sound familiar?
Objective statements like this are outdated and self-centered. They focus too much on what you want rather than what you offer. In a competitive job market, hiring managers are scanning to see how you can solve their problems—not the other way around.
A modern alternative? Use a summary statement that captures your strengths, achievements, and unique value. Think of it as your professional trailer—short, punchy, and compelling.
3. Unprofessional Email Addresses
Still hanging on to your first email handle from high school? It’s time to let it go.
An email like dragonlover_92@hotmail.com may make your friends smile, but it doesn’t exactly scream “hire me.” It creates a poor first impression and can make recruiters question your professionalism—even before they’ve read your resume.
Switch to something simple and professional. Ideally, your name or a close variation. And always stick to reputable email providers like Gmail.
4. Irrelevant Work Experience
That job you had ten years ago at your uncle’s shop might have taught you a few things—but if it’s unrelated to the role you’re applying for, it’s not helping.
Including irrelevant or outdated jobs makes your resume feel unfocused. Recruiters don’t have time to connect the dots. If your recent experience doesn’t match the role, they’ll move on.
Instead, tailor your resume to highlight the last 8–10 years of experience, especially the roles most closely aligned with your current goals. Use your summary to bridge any gaps or pivot directions.
5. “References Available Upon Request”
This line still shows up on a lot of resumes, but here’s the thing: no one needs to see it.
Recruiters already assume you’ll provide references when asked. Mentioning it doesn’t add value—and it certainly doesn’t make your resume stand out.
That line is better replaced with another bullet under your experience or an extra accomplishment. Use every inch of space wisely.
6. Overused Buzzwords
We’ve all done it before; loading our resumes with words like “team player,” “hard worker,” or “go-getter.”
But those buzzwords? They’re empty calories. They say a lot without saying anything meaningful. Everyone uses them, and hiring managers have become numb to them.
What works better is showing what you’ve done. Instead of “strong communication skills,” say “Presented weekly project updates to a cross-functional team of 12.” Actions speak louder than adjectives.
7. Paragraph-Style Job Descriptions
If your resume includes chunky blocks of text for each role, it’s time to break them up.
Recruiters don’t read resumes—they scan them. A wall of text is hard on the eyes and easy to skip over. Even if the content is great, poor formatting will cost you.
Use bullet points, keep them short, and lead with action verbs. Think of each bullet as a mini story about impact. That way, your achievements pop at first glance.
8. Personal Info (Age, Marital Status, Religion)
Some resumes still include age, gender, or marital status—especially in regions where that used to be the norm. But in most cases, it’s not only unnecessary, it’s risky.
Sharing personal information can invite unconscious bias. Even in companies with strong hiring ethics, these details may influence decisions unfairly.
Stick to what’s relevant. If it wouldn’t come up in an interview, it doesn’t need to be in your resume.
9. A Headshot (Unless It’s Required)
In some parts of the world, resume photos are standard. But in the U.S., Canada, and much of Europe, including a photo can work against you.
Not only does it open the door to bias, but most applicant tracking systems (ATS) can’t read images. That means your photo could disrupt how your resume is processed.
If you’re not in an industry that explicitly calls for a headshot, skip it. Let your skills do the talking.
10. Too Many Fonts, Colors, or Design Tricks
You might think a flashy resume design helps you stand out. But more often than not, it just confuses ATS software—and hiring managers.
Overusing fonts, colors, or decorative elements makes your resume hard to read, especially for machines. If your resume doesn’t parse correctly, it might never even reach a human.
Stick to one professional font, basic formatting, and simple section headers. Want help? Lightforth’s Resume Builder is ATS-friendly and automatically formats your resume to pass digital screenings.
11. Lies or Exaggerations
It’s tempting to stretch the truth—just a little. Maybe you upgraded your title, padded a few numbers, or added a “certification” that isn’t quite official.
But hiring teams do verify. And if they catch you in a lie, even a small one, it can destroy your credibility completely. It’s not worth the risk.
Instead of exaggerating, focus on storytelling. Use strategic language to frame your achievements and own your growth.
Why Cutting These Things Actually Gets You More Interviews
Think of your resume like a billboard. Recruiters are driving past it at 60 miles an hour. You’ve got just a few seconds to grab their attention. That means being clear, clean, and focused.
By removing the fluff, distractions, and outdated content, you make your real value easier to spot. That’s when you start getting callbacks. That’s when interviews get real.
And you don’t have to do all this manually.
Lightforth Makes It Easy
You shouldn’t have to spend hours Googling the right resume phrases or wondering if your bullet points are strong enough. That’s what Lightforth’s Resume Builder is built for.
It takes your current resume, spots what’s weak or outdated, and helps you rewrite it to match what recruiters and ATS tools actually look for. It even scores your resume and offers instant suggestions for clarity, structure, and impact.
So if you’re tired of applying and not hearing back, maybe it’s time to get it done for you. Check out our Resume Builder and get yourself ready for that next job opportunity.