We've been told like good little soldiers to always list our home address on resumes. 
 
I've had many a client look at me in disbelief when I say you do not have to provide your home address on your resume.  
 
Your residence is private data you do not have to provide.  
 
It's also a security precaution for the potentially vulnerable. 
 
And you certainly should not provide other highly valuable identification data such as your social security number or a previous W-2.

(Yes I've been asked by recruiters to provide)!  
 
The purpose of your address on your resume is to be a GPS for your job search. Here's 4 tactics: 
 
🎯 List the city/town of current or future residence (if you're doing an out of state or country search) but not your street address.  
 
🎯 Review how you list your prior jobs' locations within your job descriptions because ATS technology will read the geography.  
 
🎯 Select the location you're targeting (not necessarily where you are) on social media. For example on LinkedIn, peg to city, region, state, or country. Go as narrow or broad as required.  
 
🎯 Use ZIP codes and phone Area Codes strategically. Get a Google Voice number if necessary. 
 
Doesn't it feel better to give your resume direction?

-Kelley A. Joyce, MBA, CPC

Kelley is a career development coach who is dedicated to helping people discover their career path and land their dream jobs. Kelley and her partner Josh live in New York City from which she has served hundreds of professionals across the U.S., U.K., and Australia since 2012 to radically change their relationship with work.

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