According to a 2023 report from CareerBuilder, 54% of hiring managers say they have dismissed a resume based on irrelevant or outdated information. (CareerBuilder) In a competitive market, your CV isn't just a summary, it's a sales pitch. And what you leave off is just as important as what you include.

Modern recruiters scan resumes in seconds. If yours is cluttered with unnecessary details, it could be costing you interviews without you realising it. Let’s walk through five things your CV no longer needs, and what to do instead.

1. Objective Statements Are Outdated

Remember when Outdated CVs opened with "To obtain a challenging position at a reputable organization"? Those days are over. Objective statements tell employers what you want, but hiring managers are focused on what they need.

Instead: Use a professional summary. A tight, 2-3 sentence paragraph that highlights your value, not your goals. Example: “Strategic HR leader with 10+ years driving talent acquisition and retention strategies across APAC markets.”

2. Personal Details Can Work Against You

In some regions, it was once common to list details like age, marital status, nationality, or even religion. Today, this can raise red flags about bias and data privacy.

Unless you’re applying for a position where such details are explicitly required (rare), leave them off. This also applies to your full mailing address. City and country are enough.

Instead: Focus on contact info that matters, email, phone, LinkedIn profile. And ensure your LinkedIn is polished and up to date.

3. References Don’t Belong on the Page

"References available upon request" is now considered filler. Recruiters assume you have references, and if they need them, they’ll ask.

Instead: Use that space to expand on achievements or highlight a career milestone. Let your CV earn the reference check, rather than lead with it.

4.  Irrelevant Experience Distracts from Your Value

Including every job you’ve ever had, from your 2008 internship to part-time roles unrelated to your field, can dilute your message. Recruiters want to see progression, relevance, and impact.

Instead: Focus on the last 10-15 years of your career, especially roles that align with the one you're applying for. Highlight achievements using metrics: "Reduced onboarding time by 30% through process automation."

5.  Graphics, Photos, and Fancy Formats Don’t Impress

Unless you’re in a creative industry where visual design is part of the role, skip headshots, icons, or elaborate templates. They can confuse applicant tracking systems (ATS) and distract from content.

Instead: Stick to clean, ATS-friendly formatting. Use consistent fonts, bold for headings, and plenty of white space. If design matters, link to a portfolio.

What to Include Instead

So what should make the cut on a standout 2025 CV?

• A keyword-optimised professional summary 

  e.g., “Results-driven operations leader with a track record of scaling processes across global teams.”

  
  

• Relevant, recent experience with measurable outcomes

  e.g., “Increased employee retention by 18% through redesigned onboarding workflows.”

  
  

• Skills and certifications tailored to the role 

  e.g., SHRM-SCP, Google Analytics, PMP

  
  

• LinkedIn or portfolio links (when appropriate) 

  Make sure your online presence is aligned with your CV.

  
  

• Optional: A concise career highlights or achievements section

  e.g., “Top 5% performer globally in annual sales three years in a row.”

  
  

Focus on clarity, not complexity. Your CV’s job is to get you the interview, not to say everything all at once.

Final Thoughts on Writing a Clean, Modern CV

Your CV is a living document. What worked five years ago might now be working against you. By eliminating outdated elements like objective statements, personal details, and irrelevant experience, you sharpen your message and stand out for the right reasons.

Your CV isn’t just a document, it’s your first impression. Make it count, make it clear, and most importantly, make it modern.

Ready to take your job search further? Explore more actionable career advice in these articles from Perennial HR: 6 CV Writing Tips for Catching a Hiring Manager's Attention, 6 Most Common CV Mistakes to Avoid, and How to Build a Job Search Strategy That Works.