Avoiding Discrimination Based on Your Executive Resume

From the PeopleFlo blog, written by an executive recruiter, there are numerous ways in which you can be discriminated against, or as she cites the definition, have an “unjust or prejudical distinction in the treatment of different categories of people or things, especially on the grounds of race, sex, or age.”

She clearly states that there is really no fool-proof plan to eliminate discrimination altogether, but there are some things you can do:

Firstly, keep in mind the perspectives of the people who are likely to be reading your resume. If they are young, for instance, putting something like “More than 25 years of experience…” may instantly make them perceive you as old and ready to put out to pasture.

Don’t allow your executive resume to claim more than it can defend, and don’t provide information about yourself that “identifies” you in a way open to discrimination (for example, using the terms Mrs. or Ms., since marital status can be a discriminator).

Don’t date your education or degrees, especially if it was many years ago. Dates will be necessary at some point, but that is when you actually complete an application.

Do date your employment history, but not beyond 10-15 years. (I’d say 20 years for senior executives.)

Obviously do not include a photograph of yourself, which create immediate liability for a recruiter or hiring executive.

Do not include your membership in race-specific, religion-specific, or controversial cause-specific groups.

For more good tips on how to “discrimination-proof” your executive resume, see the article at:
How to Discrimination Proof Your Resume