Avoid getting too personal with potential employers

From CareerBuilder.com

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Just because you're eager to = get a job=20 and want to show you're truthful, trustworthy and open, it = doesn't=20 mean you have to spill your guts.

A resume is designed to offer potential employers a = selective=20 representation of your experience, while the interview gives = you a=20 chance to expand on the snapshot of qualifications that a = resume=20 provides.

However, there are accepted guidelines on what should be = included=20 in a resume or discussed during an interview.

In most cases, personal information such as age, marital = status=20 or ethnicity has no place in a resume or interview.

In fact, interviewers rarely have a right to any of this=20 information. There are exceptions, of course. If you're = applying to=20 be a runway model, it's understandable that a photo and your = height,=20 weight and measurements may be required. However, the = average resume=20 should never include such personal details.

Here are a few ideas to help you avoid getting "too=20 personal":

Resume tips

Just the facts: Other than your name, address, = e-mail=20 address and a phone number, prospective employers usually = aren't=20 interested in sifting through superfluous identifying = information to=20 root out pertinent qualifications.

Most interviewers have a stack of resumes to pore over = for a=20 single job opening. Showcasing your qualifications -- and = not=20 burying them among mounds of minutia -- is essential.

Protect personal information: Omitting personal=20 information from your resume also acts as a safeguard for = you. You=20 should never include birthdays or Social Security numbers on = your=20 resume, especially if you are posting a resume with an = online job=20 site.

Since identity theft is one of the fastest-growing = criminal=20 segments today, the less you expose your ID numbers and = personal=20 data, the better. Once the information is out there, there's = no=20 getting it back.

Don't tell your life story: While you want a = resume to=20 illustrate the breadth of your experience, it doesn't = necessarily=20 have to go into the depths of all your experience. In other = words,=20 you don't have to mention every position you've held since = you were=20 16 and baby-sat for your neighbor's kids.

Join the club -- just don't mention it: Your = resume=20 doesn't need a section for "Personal Information" that lists = hobbies=20 or clubs to which you belong -- unless they pertain to the = position=20 for which you are applying.

At the interview

Tell me about yourself: This seemingly harmless = request=20 can be an invitation to disaster if you babble on too much = about=20 yourself and divulge details a prospective employer neither = wants=20 nor needs to hear.

This is not the time to tell someone you are a divorced = mother of=20 two teenagers. Focus on your professional experience and=20 accomplishments. Make sure you pick up on your interviewer's = cues.=20

If he or she seems interested in a particular area of = expertise,=20 go ahead and expand on how you helped your former employer. = But once=20 the interviewer moves on, don't harp on the issue. Take the = hint and=20 resist the temptation to keep talking.

Put a positive spin on unfortunate events: The = interview=20 is not the time to dish the dirt on your former employer and = the=20 details about why you left. Keep it brief. Saying, "I was = ready to=20 make a move to attain professional growth," sounds a lot = better than=20 "I repeatedly was passed over for promotions so I told them = I'm out=20 of here!"

Don't be your worst enemy: We're often harder on = ourselves=20 than anyone else would be. (For example, how many people = actually=20 like how they look in pictures?)

While employers value honesty, don't belittle yourself by = trumpeting shortcomings or revealing the other companies = that,=20 despite granting you an interview, haven't offered a = job.

=A9 Copyright CareerBuilder.com = 2005. All=20 rights reserved. The information contained in this article = may not=20 be published, broadcast or otherwise distributed without the = prior=20 written authority =

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