Last updated: February 24th, 2026
Let me make it easy for you. The answer is an emphatic “no”. You must never include your date of birth on your CV when applying for roles in the United States.
This rule applies whether you’re a young graduate applying for your first role or a seasoned senior executive searching for your last leadership role.
(Related: What Is The Best Resume Format For Executives?)
What Else Must You Keep Off Your Resume?
Now that you know NOT to include your DOB on your resume, you may wonder whether you should include your marital status, religion or political leanings.
My guidelines are below.
| INCLUDE ON YOUR RESUME: | EXCLUDE FROM YOUR RESUME: |
| Contact details | Date of birth |
| Professional summary | Marital status |
| Employment summary | Religious affiliation |
| Key skills | Political leanings |
| Social media URLs | Nationality |
| Professional experience | Photograph |
| Educational institutions | Home phone number |
| “References available upon request” | Past salary information |
Important
You can ensure your resume meets every protocol recruiters expect by working with our executive resume writers.
1. Never Add Your Marital Status To Your Resume.
Your marital status can negatively impact a decision to hire you.
They worry that you will prioritise family over the company and take time off for family emergencies or the birth of a new child.
Same-sex marriages can also carry a stigma – and should not be included.
2. Leave Religion At Home.
If you do not share the hiring decision-maker’s religious beliefs, they may conclude that you’re not “the right fit”.
This is another form of discrimination.
Although technically not legal, it may creep in as an unconscious – or conscious – bias.
3. Revealing Your Political Leanings Is A Bad Idea.
Because modern American politics is so tribal, I recommend that you leave your politics off your resume.
Political affiliations can work for or against you.
Not many FOX viewers work for American universities, and not many progressive liberals apply for positions on Wall Street.
That’s normal.
But rather than signalling your political views on your resume, you’re better off assessing alignment during the interview process.
5. Don’t List Your Nationality On Your Resume.
Employers have used – and unfortunately still use – ethnicity as a hiring factor (or even the candidate’s city or state).
Avoid these issues by leaving your nationality off your resume.
(Related: Finance Director Resume Examples & Writing Guide).
6. A Picture Says Way Too Much.
A photograph can severely influence a hiring decision.
If the photograph makes you look unapproachable or older or younger than you are, the assumption will work against you – whether they are correct or not.
Your photograph also reveals all of the factors I just told you to keep under wraps (age, race and perhaps even religion).
Important!
You can’t be 100% anonymous – because you will need to include a headshot on your LinkedIn profile. Make sure it looks professional – and that you have not posted any compromising pictures on other social media platforms like Facebook or Instagram.
7. Leave Your Home Phone Number At Home.
List a mobile phone number on your CV, so that a prospective employer is always able to reach you.
You don’t have to include your home number. Who stays at home waiting for the phone to ring?
8. Past Salary Details.
Don’t sell yourself short by letting the interviewee know what you’re willing to accept in terms of salary and compensation based on your past salaries.
It’s best to leave those numbers off your resume, and have a separate salary negotiation during the interview stage.
Irene
