# What NOT to include on a résumé **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [January 28, 2014, 12:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-not-to-include-on-a-resume/679942 "2014-01-28T12:43:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2014, 12:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-not-to-include-on-a-resume/679942/1 "2014-01-28T12:43:57Z")
Inspired by [this](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=714276) thread. What should you NOT include on your résumé / CV? (Unless explicitly requested) I’ll start - and set the tone: Stool sample. ---
**Author:** ![SanVito](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sanvito/32/2805_2.png) [@SanVito](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanVito)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2014, 12:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-not-to-include-on-a-resume/679942/2 "2014-01-28T12:47:32Z")
Interests: Reading, socialising, music, movies, spending time with my family. Yawn. ---
**Author:** ![Princhester](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3e96dc/32.png) [@Princhester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Princhester)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2014, 12:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-not-to-include-on-a-resume/679942/3 "2014-01-28T12:56:16Z")
“I have 49,379 posts on the Straight Dope Message Board.” ---
**Author:** ![AK84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85e7bf/32.png) [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2014, 1:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-not-to-include-on-a-resume/679942/4 "2014-01-28T13:18:30Z")
Sexual proclivities. Serious note? Political affiliations (unless relevant). Countries traveled to ( 1 week in SPain does not make you an expert on Latin America; and yes that is an actual thing I have seen on a CV). Much personal detail, full stop. ---
**Author:** ![SerafinaPekala](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecae2f/32.png) [@SerafinaPekala](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SerafinaPekala)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2014, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-not-to-include-on-a-resume/679942/5 "2014-01-28T13:22:42Z")
“I make a mean Italian Cream Cake” Yes ma’am, this info was specifically requested at my first professional interview. I lied and got the job. (hate to cook) ---
**Author:** ![Hypno-Toad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b2d939/32.png) [@Hypno-Toad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hypno-Toad)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2014, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-not-to-include-on-a-resume/679942/6 "2014-01-28T14:40:13Z")
-Length and girth (or cup size, for ladies). -A picture of the tree stump in your yard that if you squint right, looks sort of like Lyndon Johnson. -A listing of what the voices say to you, broken down by frequency and level of violence. -A referral from Adult Friend Finder. -10-year-old Worlds Best Nephew certificate from now-deceased aunt. -A range card showing the main entrance of the employers building from the parking lot. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2014, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-not-to-include-on-a-resume/679942/7 "2014-01-28T14:50:21Z")
I want to work here because I know I won’t be tempted to ever use your products for free. > [@Princhester](#): > > “I have 49,379 posts on the Straight Dope Message Board.” Especially since you only have like a fourth or fifth of that. ---
**Author:** ![Crotalus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crotalus/32/41_2.png) [@Crotalus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crotalus)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2014, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-not-to-include-on-a-resume/679942/8 "2014-01-28T15:11:37Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > Especially since you only have like a fourth or fifth of that. **Mangetout** , on the other hand… 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![muldoonthief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muldoonthief/32/3188_2.png) [@muldoonthief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/muldoonthief)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2014, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-not-to-include-on-a-resume/679942/9 "2014-01-28T15:31:04Z")
A comprehensive list of strange foods you’ve eaten. Unless you’re applying for a job as Andrew Zimmern’s assistant. ---
**Author:** ![swampspruce](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/swampspruce/32/261_2.png) [@swampspruce](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/swampspruce)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2014, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-not-to-include-on-a-resume/679942/10 "2014-01-28T16:12:12Z")
A complete listing of all the serial killer DVDs you own and an excel spreadsheet with macros of where thier victim’s bodies were discovered. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2014, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-not-to-include-on-a-resume/679942/11 "2014-01-28T18:03:31Z")
A bloody handprint. ---
**Author:** ![Hypno-Toad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b2d939/32.png) [@Hypno-Toad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hypno-Toad)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2014, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-not-to-include-on-a-resume/679942/12 "2014-01-28T18:38:06Z")
-Your stand on Kirk Vs Picard. -Your dietary requirements and feeding schedule. -A bit of your unfinished novel. -The word, “Duuuude!” -The scent of pot. -A lipstick kiss mark. ---
**Author:** ![BubbaDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bubbadog/32/333_2.png) [@BubbaDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BubbaDog)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2014, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-not-to-include-on-a-resume/679942/13 "2014-01-28T18:40:37Z")
Listing “I can fart in three octaves” as a skill. ---
**Author:** ![PoorYorick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ecccb3/32.png) [@PoorYorick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PoorYorick)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2014, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-not-to-include-on-a-resume/679942/14 "2014-01-28T19:28:39Z")
Kind of on point: We got a resume for a programmer position where the applicant listed that he was the state Rubik’s cube champion for 1994 (or whatever year it was). Up to that point, his resume was alright but not enough to make it stand out among the other dozens that I’d received. Now, technically, this is personal info that doesn’t really belong on a resume, but it was “geeky” and piqued my curiosity enough to call him in for an interview. ---
**Author:** ![YogSothoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/8edcca/32.png) [@YogSothoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YogSothoth)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2014, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-not-to-include-on-a-resume/679942/15 "2014-01-28T21:10:14Z")
“My coworkers in past jobs tend to die under mysterious circumstances. I’m hoping your company helps me break the curse” ---
**Author:** ![drewtwo99](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d07c76/32.png) [@drewtwo99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drewtwo99)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2014, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-not-to-include-on-a-resume/679942/16 "2014-01-28T21:29:34Z")
-Your favorite brand of potato chip. -What you were doing on the night of April 17th 2001. -That you secretly love the smell of your own farts, and sometimes, even others’. -That you can type 182 wpm when on cocaine. -Fuck the NFL! That shit is for woosies, what happened to the good old days when guys weren’t afraid to get hurt? -Enjoy being spat on during intercourse ---
**Author:** ![Flywheel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/eb8c5e/32.png) [@Flywheel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flywheel)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2014, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-not-to-include-on-a-resume/679942/17 "2014-01-28T21:32:29Z")
“42 arrests…no convictions!” ---
**Author:** ![muldoonthief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muldoonthief/32/3188_2.png) [@muldoonthief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/muldoonthief)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2014, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-not-to-include-on-a-resume/679942/18 "2014-01-28T21:33:33Z")
> [@PoorYorick](#): > > Kind of on point: We got a resume for a programmer position where the applicant listed that he was the state Rubik’s cube champion for 1994 (or whatever year it was). Up to that point, his resume was alright but not enough to make it stand out among the other dozens that I’d received. Now, technically, this is personal info that doesn’t really belong on a resume, but it was “geeky” and piqued my curiosity enough to call him in for an interview. You’re going to make him solve one before you begin the interview, aren’t you? Preferably an impossible to solve one? ---
**Author:** ![Lukeinva](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lukeinva/32/17872_2.png) [@Lukeinva](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lukeinva)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2014, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-not-to-include-on-a-resume/679942/19 "2014-01-28T21:45:17Z")
This actually happened, I was interviewing for a job (which I did get) the hiring manager said he received several resumes that contained the job description cut & pasted word for word in the applicant’s skill set. Sooo… don’t cut & paste the job description! ---
**Author:** ![drewtwo99](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d07c76/32.png) [@drewtwo99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drewtwo99)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2014, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-not-to-include-on-a-resume/679942/20 "2014-01-28T22:41:33Z")
> [@Flywheel](#): > > “42 arrests…no convictions!” This is probably my personal favorite so far. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-not-to-include-on-a-resume/679942.md?page=2)