The ‘Identity Transparency’ Conundrum – Ms. Career Girl

As I was applying for summer internships this past spring, I had a lot of difficulty determining what to include on my resume. My first thought? Everything! But on second thought, I wondered if including everything I’m involved with might have cost me an opportunity. I call this ‘Identity Transparency’.

As a woman heavily involved in many social justice issues on my campus, advocacy, awareness raising and diversity groups, I’m pretty clearly marked, dare I say, with a ‘Feminist’, ideology. I theorized that such activities would exude a passionate drive to make the world a better place to potential employers. I’m the type of college student who cares about her community, right? Well, maybe.

After absent calls from several business and journalistic entities I’d applied to, I realized listing, ‘Feminist Student Union President’ and ‘The Vagina Monologues Performance’ on my resume may not have been such great idea. Of course, the progressive non-profit publication I work for currently saw those activities as an asset to their team, but apparently not everyone had the same reaction.

Depending on the company, it may be better to appear a bit ‘apolitical’ or ‘uninformed’ (sad right?). According to advice I’ve been given by a PR professional, only list activities and leadership positions that are directly relevant to the position in which you are applying to, and be ready to discuss how so in an interview.

I’m not suggesting that you leave your identity or political interests at the door- but do be mindful of what you are including on a resume, and how it may appear to potential employers. In the end (if you got an interview), if they like you and you’re good at your job what you do in your free time shouldn’t matter. However, in industries like journalism, it’s ideal to appear as ‘objective’ as possible. For some people hiding your identity would be merely impossible in an Internet age. Personally, my feminist identity is one that I can’t hide, and if someone doesn’t want to hire me because of that, I probably wouldn’t want to work there anyway.

What Else You Should Leave Off Your Resume

Your resume is often the first impression you make on potential employers, and while you may want to showcase everything, there are certain things you should leave off to avoid hurting your chances of getting an interview. Here’s what you should leave off your resume:

1. Irrelevant Work Experience
   While it’s tempting to include every job you’ve ever had, unrelated roles can clutter your resume. Focus on experience that aligns with the position you’re applying for. Listing irrelevant jobs can make it harder for hiring managers to see your qualifications clearly.
2. Personal Information
   Details like your age, marital status, religious affiliation, or a headshot are unnecessary. Not only do they take up valuable space, but they can also invite unconscious bias. Stick to professional qualifications and contact details.
3. Overly Detailed Job Descriptions
   Resumes shouldn’t be novels. Avoid going into excessive detail about each role. Instead, focus on key achievements and skills that demonstrate your value. Too much information can overwhelm recruiters and cause them to miss your best points.
4. Outdated Skills and Technologies
   Listing obsolete skills, like old programming languages or outdated software, can make you seem behind the times. Make sure your skill set reflects current industry trends and requirements.
5. Unprofessional Email Addresses
   An email like “partyanimal123@…” might have been fun in college, but it’s not appropriate for job applications. Use a simple, professional email address to convey seriousness.

Leaving these elements off your resume ensures that hiring managers can easily focus on the qualifications that matter, increasing your chances of landing that interview.

What do you think of ‘identity transparency’? Have you ever experienced a similar situation? How have you handled keeping work on the side separate from your day job? Tell us what you think!

By Ashley Crimaldi and Ms Career Girl