Where Should I Put My Gender Pronouns On My Resume?

Where Should I Put My Gender Pronouns On My Resume?

Clarifying your chosen gender pronouns in the workplace has been an important initiative in diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts. But where should you put your gender pronouns on your resume?

If you consider how gender pronouns may impact your job search efforts, the quick answer is your pronouns actually don’t belong on your resume.

Today, I’m sharing the potential implications of putting your gender pronouns on your resume and where they are best indicated during your job search. I also clarify where to put your gender pronouns on your resume if you absolutely insist.

 

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The Different Roles of Resumes and Applications

I won’t be discussing the difference between gender and sex or the various gender pronoun options in this video, but you can visit mypronouns.org for resources on gender pronouns if you’d like more information on these topics.

Instead, I want to start by clarifying the different roles that resumes and online applications play in the hiring process. Your application is a compliance tool that helps recruiters and HR teams align hiring practices with employment laws that protect against discrimination and provide equal employment opportunity. When you’re asked to indicate your gender pronounces in an online application, that information is being used to hold employers accountable for diversity in their hiring practices.

Your resume, however, is a marketing tool that can help YOU present yourself as the best fit for the job. Your resume should include only your top-selling points that relate to the job you're pursuing. The challenge is aligning your career story with what recruiters and hiring decision-makers want to see - which is that you understand and can meet the goals of the role you’re pursuing as well as what value you bring to a team based on past performance.

Bottom line: Your gender doesn’t impact whether or not you can perform the job.

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Unintentional Biases and Discrimination

Unfortunately, there are unintentional biases that can exist in hiring processes—specifically when your resume and cover letter are being reviewed by a recruiter or hiring decision-maker. I’m sure you’re familiar with many types of bias from unemployment bias to age bias. Gender bias is also a prominent issue that you may not even realize is being provoked by your resume.

For example, your name may be a clear indication of your gender. The use of certain adjectives in resume summaries and even the character or word count of your resume and cover letter can also give unintentional indications of your gender.

Until a new system is developed to minimize biases more, you still need to include your name and contact information on your resume. However, you can do your part to focus your resume on the requirements and desired skills and abilities of the role and minimize details that may provoke unintentional bias and even discrimination.

 

Where To Put Your Gender Pronouns

If you absolutely insist on putting your gender pronounces on your resume despite these implications, I recommend putting them beneath your name on your resume - not on the same line beside your name. Employer hiring software may not store your name correctly in its database if you place them on the same line.

In addition to indicating your gender pronounces when asked in an online application, you can also add them to your LinkedIn profile. LinkedIn has added a field specifically for gender pronouns to be placed next to your name on your profile, which you can access by editing your Intro on your profile.

You can also indicate your chosen gender pronouns within your email signature to clarify them up-front to recruiters and others on the HR team who may be communicating with you during the hiring process.

 

Not sure what recruiters and hiring decision-makers want to see on your resume?

You can sign up for my free 5-day Resume Rescue Challenge and discover the updates you can make to your resume today to start landing more interviews.


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  • Steph Cartwright, Job Search Strategist and Certified Resume Writer

  • Steph Cartwright, CPRW

    Steph Cartwright is a Certified Resume Writer, LinkedIn Strategist, and Founder of Off The Clock Resumes. She helps job seekers get unstuck and get a foot in the door at the companies they’d love to work for with their resumes, LinkedIn profiles, and job search plans.

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