Race, Sex and Religion on Your Resume

Race, Sex and Religion on Your Resume Race, Sex and Religion on Your ResumeYoure probably aware that hiring managers cannot ask discriminatory questions during interviews. But this legal protection isnt too useful in preventing discrimination before the interview. If your resume contains personal information unrelated to your job target -- your race, nationality, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, etc. -- you might fall victim to discrimination, even if youre qualified for the position.Your resume is a marketing tool designed to get your foot in the door, so every bit of information on it should be selling your value to qualifikation employers. Follow these guidelines to ensure your resume contains only the personal information relevant to your job target.Personal Info That May Be OmittedAffiliations, Volunteer Work, Extracurricular Activities and Hobbies You may leave out organization names that disclose your cultural background, religious affiliation, sexual orientation and o ther possible targets of discrimination. List only experiences that help sell you as a candidate for your targeted job.Languages Listing your native language may reveal your nationality. Include only languages that add to your qualifications for the job. In certain cases, knowing a second language is a plus and should be included on your resume.Personal Information In the majority of cases, personal information such as date of birth, marital status and nationality should not be included on the resume. There are exceptions, such as federal or state applications that might require this information or international applications in which including personal data is standard practice. Also, its customary in some fields (such as modeling) to include personal characteristics -- such as height, weight and clothing sizes -- if appearance is considered a bona fide job qualification. If you think you might need to include personal information on your resume, research standards in your industry to ensure youre including the required information.Personal Information That Should Be on Your ResumeYour Name You cant pick a new name in hopes of getting more interviews unless you have legally changed it.Your Employers If you worked for the Gay Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, for example, you shouldnt hide your employers name and misrepresent your work history.Schools Attended Even if your postsecondary school has a religious affiliation, you need to include the school name in your Education section.Work Experience or Training in Foreign Countries You should include all work and educational experiences, as long as they are relatively recent.Deciding What to IncludeThink About It Will revealing the information in question highlight skills that would qualify you for the position? For example, if youre pursuing a management position and held leadership roles with religious organizations, consider including these experiences.Target Your Audience If youre applying for a position with the American Civil Liberties Union, for instance, your resume may highlight your cultural background, involvement in related organizations and diversity-related accomplishments. If you dont know the organizations culture or the hiring managers possible biases, omit personal information that will not add to your qualifications.Bear in Mind the Prospective Employers Geographic Location In some communities, involvement in civic or religious groups is highly desirable and including your related experience on your resume would enhance your credentials.Evaluate Your Personal Preferences The this-is-me-take-it-or-leave-it attitude may leave you hungry when looking for a job in a world where discrimination still exists. You dont want to lose a chance at your dream job because of a hiring managers possible biases. You may or may not report to the person once hired, anyway.ResourcesAmerican Civil Liberties UnionAllLaw.com