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Race, Sex, and Religion on Your Resume
Kim Isaacs | Monster Resume Expert
Personal Information That Should Be on Your Resume
• Your Name: You can’t 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 shouldn’t hide your employer’s 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 Include
• Think About It: Will revealing the information in question highlight skills that would qualify you for the position? For example, if you’re pursuing a management position and held leadership roles with religious organizations, consider including these experiences.
• Target Your Audience: If you’re 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 don’t know the organization’s culture or the hiring manager’s possible biases, omit personal information that will not add to your qualifications.
• Bear in Mind the Prospective Employer’s 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 don’t want to lose a chance at your dream job because of a hiring manager’s possible biases. You may or may not report to the person once hired, anyway.
This article was originally published on Monster.com.
