Should I put my address on my resume?
As you put the final touches on your job application, you might wonder: Should I put my address on my resume? Many resume templates still include a space for including a physical address. But in our digital age, the big question is whether this is really necessary.
In this article, we'll explain why employers may want to see an address on your resume — and why you might want to think twice before including your address. We'll also show you how to format your address on your resume.
- What is an address on a resume?
- Why employers may want to see an address on your resume
- Cons of including your address
- How to write an address on a resume
- What else should go in a resume contact information?
- Conclusion: Tailor your contact info to the role
- FAQs
What is an address on a resume?
An address on a resume gives potential employers information on your physical location in your job application. This can include your street address, city, state, and postal code.
Once upon a time, it was essential for job seekers to list their full home address on their resume. Before the days of email, this enabled employers to contact them by mail.
Now that most business communication happens via email or phone, some say an address takes up valuable resume space that you could better use for highlighting skills. Others say employers still want to see location information for screening purposes. Here are the pros and cons of including your address on your resume.
Why employers may want to see an address on your resume
1. It's standard practice
Previously, including your address in your resume was a standard practice for everyone.
Even today, older or more conservative hiring managers may still expect to see an address as a matter of formality. If your industry is more traditional — such as certain government sectors — listing your address will help you err on the safe side.
2. It helps filter applicants
Many companies use an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) to sort through resumes, and some of these systems filter by location.
If the address on a resume matches the keywords that the ATS is looking for, this boosts your chances of making it past the initial screening. This is especially relevant for on-site positions if you live near the employer's workplace.
3. It tells employers how long your commute will be
Providing your address allows employers to get a sense of your potential commute time if hired. For companies who need employees to be readily available on-site, your commute distance might factor into their hiring decisions. If you're located hours from their physical office, relocation costs might be an issue for the company.
4. It helps avoid unwanted surprises
Not including an address on your resume could lead to confusion or complications if the employer wants to contact you for an in-person interview. Some employers may prefer an address for security screening and may have security concerns if they cannot easily verify your location.
Cons of including your address
1. It may result in hiring bias
Including your address on a resume can reveal details about your neighbourhood, which may be linked to a certain socioeconomic status or cultural assumptions.
This can lead to unconscious bias — social stereotypes or assumptions that we form subconsciously about others around us. Hiring managers may form judgments about applicants based on where they live, rather than focusing on their skills and qualifications.
To keep the hiring process fair, it's important to minimise information that could result in bias and discrimination.
2. Distance from your home to the work location may be considered
Providing your full address makes it clear exactly how far you live from the employer's workplace. Some employers may assume that applicants with farther commutes are less willing to relocate or face long journeys to the office each day.
This could disadvantage you in comparison with other applicants who live closer to the workplace. By leaving your address out of your resume, you can discuss your ability to commute or relocate directly with employers.
3. Sharing your address poses privacy concerns
Resumes are now typically submitted online and stored in databases, which may be vulnerable to hackers. When you put your address on your resume, you risk exposing your location and identity. This could make you a target for security threats like identity theft.
Generally, it's wise to limit the personal information you share to what is strictly essential for the application. Protecting your privacy should be a priority.
4. It’s unnecessary information
In our digital age, most employers are used to reaching applicants via email or phone number. It’s no longer necessary to include your address on your resume unless explicitly asked. What’s more, including your address takes up valuable space in your resume — space that you could put to better use by highlighting your skills and work experience.
How to write an address on a resume
So you’ve weighed the pros and cons of putting your address on your resume, and you’ve decided to include it. Here’s a quick guide to writing an address on a resume neatly and professionally.
Example of a contact information section in a resume
Typically, you will have a section dedicated to contact information at the top of your resume. This section should include your phone number, email address — and of course, your physical address.
Organise all your contact details in one place and apply consistent formatting to keep your resume looking professional. Here’s an example:
Phone number: +60 3-87305481
Email address: [email protected]
Address: ABC Apartments, Desa Aman Puri, 52100 Kuala Lumpur
If you’re concerned about privacy or hiring bias, you can choose how much of your address you want to reveal. From writing your full address to only indicating your city, here are a few examples you can pick from.
Example 1: Writing your full address on a resume
Including your full address on your resume is becoming less common, but more traditional hiring managers might still prefer this.
To format this, consider how you would put your address on a letter. Write your street address number and street name on the first line, followed by your neighbourhood, state, and postal code on the second line. For example:
Jalan Galloway, ABC Condominiums, #03-217A
Bukit Bintang, 50150 Kuala Lumpur
Example 2: Writing just the city, state, and postal code
If you don’t feel comfortable putting your full address on your resume, a good middle ground is to remove just your street address. This leaves you with your city, state, and postal code, such as:
56000 Cheras, Kuala Lumpur
40100 Shah Alam, Selangor
81750 Masai, Johor
This win-win approach protects your privacy while giving employers a sense of your general location.
Example 3: Writing only the city, state or area
Another common approach is to only list your city and state. This safeguards your privacy and may be more suitable for remote positions where location isn’t a factor.
For example:
Johor Bahru, Johor
Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu
Kuching, Sarawak
Example 4: Stating an intention for relocation
If you’re located far from the employer’s workplace but you’re willing to relocate for the job, highlighting this can be a smart move. Rather than revealing your current address, you can craft a concise line about relocation on your resume.
Here are two ways to do this:
Write “willing to relocate” next to your current address. For example: Johor Bahru, Johor (Willing to relocate to Kuala Lumpur)
Indicate your willingness to relocate in your resume profile or professional summary. For example: Engineer with over 10 years of experience, open to relocating nationwide
What else should go in a resume contact information?
Besides your address, there are a few essential elements to include in the contact information section of your resume: your full name, email address, and phone number. Format them clearly and professionally with these quick tips:
Full name
Your full name should be the most eye-catching element in your contact information section. Make it stand out by formatting it in a larger font and bolding it. Needless to say, you should capitalise your name properly too.
Email address
A professional email address is a must for employers to reach you. But notice we said professional — the “[email protected]” email you created back in high school just doesn’t look good on your resume.
An email address that looks professional should use your name, such as “[firstname]_[lastname]@gmail.com”. Avoid nicknames or unprofessional terms that might make a bad first impression on the hiring manager.
During your job search, check your email regularly to be sure you haven’t missed out on messages from hiring managers. Don’t forget to check your spam folder occasionally too.
Phone number
Many hiring managers will call you to arrange an interview or clarify details in your application. A quick call is also a common step in the screening process before the interview — for instance, they may want to check on your availability to start work.
Hence, it’s crucial to include a phone number where employers can reach you in your resume. You should also set up a professional voicemail for missed calls. If you’re applying for international positions, include a country code (+60 for Malaysia) to avoid confusion.
Conclusion: Tailor your contact info to the role
At the end of the day, there’s no one answer to whether you should include your address on your resume. Some traditional employers may still expect to see a full address, while many modern companies prioritise skills over location.
Listing your full street address comes with privacy risks and hiring bias, but leaving out your address altogether might create confusion during hiring. One way to strike a balance is to only indicate your city and state.
Ultimately, the key is to tailor your contact information section based on the specific role and company. Do your homework on the employer's preferences and the needs of the role. With some savvy thinking, you can include the contact details you need to get noticed, while still safeguarding your privacy.
FAQs
- Do you put your address on a resume?
There are pros and cons to including your address on your resume. On the one hand, it provides employers with your exact location and helps them determine commute times and relocation needs. However, it also reveals personal information that could lead to hiring bias or privacy concerns.
Many applicants today opt to only include their city and state or postcode instead of a street address. This gives a general idea of your location without sacrificing privacy. Ultimately, it's up to you whether to include a full address based on the job specifics. - Can you abbreviate your address on your resume?
Yes, you can abbreviate the address on your resume as long as it remains clear and consistent. For example, you can shorten "Jalan" to "Jln" and "Lorong” to “Lor”. However, avoid too many abbreviations since it can look unprofessional. Listing only your city and state is an easy abbreviation option. - Where do you put your email address on a resume?
Your email address should be included in the contact information section at the top of your resume. List it together with your name, phone number, and physical address. Use a professional email address and ensure it is prominently displayed. - Should I put my phone number on my resume?
Yes, you should include a phone number on your resume so employers can contact you to schedule interviews or ask questions. List your number in the contact section of your resume alongside your name, address, and email. - Is it necessary to include a full address on my resume?
No, it isn't necessary to include a full address on your resume. In the digital age, your email and phone number are generally enough for employers to reach you.
Due to privacy concerns, many applicants only list their city and state instead of a full street address. This gives employers a general idea of your location. However, some traditional employers still expect to see a full address. It all depends on your personal preference and the role you're applying for. - How can I protect my privacy when including contact information?
To protect your privacy, avoid including your full home address on your resume, as this reveals a lot of personal information. Simply list your city and state to give a general location.
Next, use a professional email address that doesn't contain personal details. Avoid including your date of birth or other sensitive information beyond what is required.
Finally, be wary of submitting your resume through unsecured sites and consider using a PO box address when requested.
