Compelling content about your qualifications or trivial tidbits that have nothing to do with, well, anything? Guess what a hiring manager is more interested in?
We’ve previously written about why you shouldn’t focus on hobbies in your resume, but you’d also be wise to avoid including a “Miscellaneous” or “Other” section.
If you struggle to find a place on your resume for a certain piece of information, it’s probably a good sign you don’t need to include it.
The following job seekers should have highlighted some of their “other” selling points:
“OTHER: I took a class to recognize smells of plastics that burn at different temperatures.”
You’ve left us with some burning questions.
“OTHER: Can find insects around the office and kill them!”
This “mite” not be your best skill.
“MISCELLANEOUS: My shirt is always tucked in.”
That’s more than we can say about some candidates we’ve interviewed.
“OTHER: I don’t eat breakfast cereals.”
That’s a new one.
“OTHER: Own two feisty felines.”
Would we seem catty if we told you to delete this detail?
“OTHER: I have multiple pairs of black shoes, black socks, black ties, black suits and black glasses.”
Are they leftovers from the Blues Brothers auditions?
“MISCELLANEOUS: Will not use ornate resume language unless specifically requested to do so.”
Regular resume language suits us just fine.
