Address the Issue: Pros & Cons of Including Address on Resume in 2023

by Hiration

Should you put your address on your resume?

Nowadays, a common question among job seekers is whether an address on a resume is as important as a contact number and email address.

Some people believe that sharing their address on a resume is necessary, while others argue that it is becoming increasingly unnecessary in today's digital age.

Moreover, if one should include their address on their resume, should they mention the complete address or not?

Let us help you! Your address is not just personal, but sensitive information. So, we will explore the pros and cons of including your address on a resume, as well as provide tips for job seekers on how to make the best decision for their situation.

Why Do You Put Your Address on a Resume?


Traditionally, including your address on a resume was seen as a way to show potential employers that you were local and it helped them assess your distance from the company's location.

However, with the rise of remote work and more companies operating on a global scale, the importance of including your address on a resume has diminished.

Pros of Including Your Address on a Resume


  1. Shows Your Location: Location can be a mandatory criterion for certain companies based on which they can select or reject candidates. Including your address on a resume can be helpful if you are applying for a job in a specific geographic location.

  2. Demonstrates Stability: If you have lived in the same place for a long time, including it on your resume can demonstrate stability. Along with the resume header, you can include location in your education and work experience section as well.

  3. Shows You are Not a Flight Risk: Including your address on a resume can also show that you are not a flight risk and are committed to staying in one place for the foreseeable future.

Cons of Including Your Address on a Resume


  1. Privacy Concerns: Including your address on a resume can put your personal information at risk and potentially open you up to identity theft.

  2. Biases: Some employers may use your address to discriminate against you based on your location, socioeconomic status, or other factors.

  3. Irrelevant Information: In today's digital age, your address may not be relevant to your job application, especially if you are applying for remote or work-from-home positions.

Also read: How can you effectively highlight your resume images to stand out to employers?

Should You Put Your Address on Your Resume?


Coming to the main question of this blog. Ultimately, the decision to include your address on a resume is a personal one that depends on your situation.

But the factors that you should keep in mind while deciding, we can break that down for you. Here are some tips to help you make the best decision for your situation:

Consider the Job Requirements


If you are applying for a job that requires you to be local, it may be helpful to include your address.

However, if you are applying for a remote or work-from-home position, your address may not be necessary.

Some job postings may specifically request an address while others may not mention it at all. If the job description does not require an address, you can choose to leave it out.

Evaluate Your Privacy Concerns


If you are worried about your personal information being at risk, consider leaving your address off of your resume.

While it is true that most companies have privacy policies in place to protect your personal information, there is always a chance that your resume could fall into the wrong hands, especially in case of job scams.

Leaving your address off your resume can help reduce the risk of identity theft and other privacy concerns.

Use a General Location


If you are uncomfortable sharing your exact address, consider using a general location, i.e., your city and state.

This can be especially helpful if you are applying for jobs in a specific city or region. By indicating that you are located in the area, you are showing potential employers that you are a local candidate who is familiar with the region.

Include an Email Address & Phone Number


If you are leaving your address off your resume, consider using a professional email address as well as a contact number on which you’re available at all times.

This gives potential employers 2 solid mediums to get in touch with you for sharing hiring updates.

Also read: Can you list professional associations as resume activities?

Additional Factors that Impact the Decision to Including Address on Resume


  • Discrimination:

According to the US Civil Rights Act of 1964, it is illegal to discriminate against job applicants based on race, color, sex, or religion.

However, it still persists in our society. But how does that associate with the mailing address?

The address on your resume might indicate your demographic origin. Therefore, it is plausible for recruiters to quickly assume that you come from a specific background and may discriminate against you.

  • Socioeconomic Status:

Some employers may unfairly use your address to make assumptions about your socioeconomic status and use that as a basis for discrimination.

For instance, they may wrongly assume that you are not a suitable candidate for a high-level job if you reside in a low-income neighborhood.

If you are worried about this type of bias, it may be a good idea to exclude your address from your resume.

  • International Job Seekers:

If you are an international job seeker, disclosing your address on your resume can be advantageous for employers who need to ascertain your location for visa or work permit purposes.

However, if you are seeking employment opportunities in various countries, it is advisable to omit your address from your resume altogether.

Instead, consider including your country of residence and your phone number or email address, which can still provide sufficient contact information for potential employers.

Also read: How do you write an email to send a resume to a recruiter?

FAQs


  • How should you write your address on a resume?
    Consider using a general location, with only your city and state. This can be helpful if you are applying for jobs in a specific city or region and you won’t even have to disclose your complete address.

  • Do you put your actual address on a resume?
    You can include your complete address on your resume with everything from street address to zip code, but do that only when it is a specified requirement that the company requires your mailing address. Otherwise, just stick to the city and state.

  • Is an address on a resume outdated?
    Traditionally, including your address on a resume was seen as a way to show potential employers that you were local and available to work in a specific geographic location. However, with the rise of remote work and more companies operating on a global scale, the importance of including your address on a resume has diminished.

Lastly, if you want to optimize your resumes per the latest practices in 2023, use Hiration's next-gen ChatGPT-powered career platform, which offers a solution to every obstacle faced by job seekers across the US.

Try it out today to enhance your job search and take your career to the next level. You can also reach out to us at support@hiration.com for any queries or concerns.