11 private information that should not appear on your résumé

Malaysians have a tendency of offering too many private information on their résumé without realising that in this instance, less is really more.

It is one thing to write pages after pages of academic qualifications and work experiences that are irrelevant to the job you are applying to, it is quite another when you give away personal details which may do you more harm than good.

Just like how lawyers who often prep their clients to refrain from talking too much while being interrogated by the police lest they give away potentially incriminating information, this is the same.

The more personal details you offer, the more you are exposing yourself to the possibility of being discriminated. A racist employer is likely to toss away your résumé without even looking at your qualifications if he or she knows you are of that particular race he or she finds undesirable.

Unfortunately in Malaysia, just your name itself is often enough to give-away your racial identity.

There are only three personal information which are relevant and useful in a résumé. They are your name, telephone and email address because the only thing the employer needs to know is how to contact you if they want to interview you. That’s all.

However, there are special instances where you will have to reveal more information than the three mentioned above such as gender, but only if there is a valid reason as to why the job you are applying to is asking for that information. For instance, a non-governmental organisation working to provide counselling sessions for sexually abused women will have a valid reason for wanting to employ a female counsellor only.

In this case, you will have to reveal your gender to facilitate the organisation’s selection panel.

Below are 11 personal information which should not appear on your résumé. You may laugh at some of them but these are information which are seen in real résumé submitted by Malaysians.

1. Photograph

Why would a photo of yourself be relevant unless it is a headshot for an acting role you are applying to in an entertainment industry? Your photo will also give away clues such as your race, gender and religion and let’s not even start on employers who have the tendency to hire based on looks.

2. Race

Apart from the obvious reason of subjecting yourself to racial-discrimination, there are employers who get completely put off by applicants who feel the need to reveal their race and/or religion. They wonder whether these said applicants are hoping that they would be racially-biased enough to select them for being the “right” race. 

3. Religion

Same as above.

4. Gender

Unless the job you are applying to can justify why it is necessary to be gender-specific, there is really no need for the company or organisation to know what gender you are.

5. Date of birth

Someone said this, “Hiring managers need to know what you can do for them, not how many years you have managed to stay alive.” Unless you really want to be discriminated for your age, this information is completely redundant.

6. National registration identity card (NRIC) number

Malaysia is a country obsessed with NRIC number. Whatever registration forms you fill, may it be for a membership programme offered by a pet shop, or a package you bought at a health spa, you are asked for your NRIC number.

So much so that many Malaysians think it is perfectly alright to give away this private security number to anyone.

Please don’t because not only are you exposing yourself to the possibility of being a victim of identity theft, there is absolutely no need for these pet shops or health spas to have this information.

They have absolutely no right whatsoever to have this private data of yours.

7. Height

Same as number 1. And frankly, whatever for?

Note: Some studies have shown that taller people are more likely to secure a job than those who are vertically challenged.

8. Weight
Same as above.

Note: The same studies above have also shown how thin people are more likely to secure a job than those who are overweight.

9. Marital and family status

It used to be the case many years ago when employers assumed that a married woman with children could not be relied upon to do the job because “having a husband and children means they are not able to dedicate their lives to the company.”

Things have changed for the better albeit slowly as we see more and more family women in the work force. However, please note that these are some of the information an employer should never ask at an interview.

10. Home address

Well, for the fact that it is private information and it concerns your private security.

11. Political affiliation

Kudos, so you know you are entitled to have a political opinion and association, but does your potential employer know that?

In a country where expression of political views can be so sensitive and controversial, the chances of having an employer who tolerates or understands the importance of your political participation are very low.

Anyway, while everyone is entitled to political association, your political activities should never interfere with your job. So why should this information be relevant?

Finally, you should know that having the perfect résumé may not secure you a job because you can still screw up an interview.

The hiring manager may still judge you unfairly upon learning all sorts of things from you at the interview.

The sole purpose of making sure your résumé is free from any potentially-discriminatory information is to ensure that you are entitled to any job opportunity based on your qualifications and on an equal footing right from the start. – August 1, 2015.