5 Things to Avoid On Your Resume per Google Recruiter: Does She Know What She’s Talking About?

OK I’m back to watching Tik Tok videos for you. A senior Google recruiter lays out 5 things not to do on your resume. Do I agree with her? Largely yes, with one notable difference (#3) because she supports engineering, which has different expectations from legal.

1. Do not list your full address. Agree. City and state is what’s expected, nothing more. You can  list a general metro area like “San Francisco Bay Area” instead of a specific city if you want.
2. Do not list an objective statement. The Google recruiter says not to because “that was 1970. We are in 2022,” but I don’t think an objective statement dates you as much as takes up real estate. Lay out relevant experience instead.
3. Do not list your “entire work history since you started your professional career”; instead, “tailor your search and resume to the role you’re applying for.” Yes, you definitely should tailor your search and resume, BUT for attorney jobs, employers do want to see the arc of your career. For example, if you started at a big firm doing another area of law, I would still list that experience because it shows you did get top training and learned client/time management. Or if you had a business, technical, or regulatory career before law, include that background because it helps you counsel clients or understand a subject area.
4. Do not use weak action verbs. She hates “responsible for.” I do too. I especially hate what lawyers love to say, that they “handled” something. Some active verbs for lawyers: counsel, advise, draft/negotiate/close [types, $] agreements, manage, implement. (And be sure to include accomplishments and results, e.g., reduced spend by X, launched # products, etc.)
5. Do not put “references available upon request” on your resume. The Google recruiter points out a company will ask for references if it wants them. I agree. Plus that line makes your resume look super dated.