We often hear about the importance of comprehensive reports or arguments that include every possible angle. We learn to make persuasive arguments in school, building a careful case with multiple key points and copious evidence.

When navigating disagreement, we think if we can overwhelm opponents with the sheer weight of our position, we can change their thinking.

We hear “the weight of the evidence,” and that sounds like it must be a lot! We’re told to anticipate and address concerns and objections, bolstering weak areas. So more must be better, right?

The problem is that’s exactly wrong. We live in a society driven by the mantra of “more, faster, better,” and we can be forgiven for thinking that more always is… well, more.

Yet, when it comes to advocating for a desired outcome, such as our fit for a new job, fewer yet stronger points make a better case.

A resume is a marketing tool. That’s it.

A resume is a personal marketing tool aimed at selling your skills, talents, and abilities to someone who needs those things. It’s a document that we want to show us at our very best.

So, we cram it with every conceivable accomplishment, thinking that name-dropping a prestigious school, competitive internship, or past publication will make us look impressive; hobbies, volunteer work, and naming ourselves “CEO” of our side hustle will show that we’re skilled and well-rounded.

All of our favorite things, the achievements we most enjoyed and are most proud of, suddenly seem “relevant,” and we add them into a resume that, before we know it, is spanning half a dozen printed pages.

In our attempt to impress, we inadvertently dilute the power of our most relevant experiences, leading to a cluttered and unfocused presentation.

Kill your darlings. Kill them all.

In fiction writing, there’s a saying: “Kill your darlings.” It means that your favorite things aren’t always the best things to tell the story.

Though there is important information in the things that fill us with joy, listing them all may not be the most compelling way to present ourselves as the best candidate for a job. Remember, a resume isn’t a comprehensive life history, but a strategic tool designed to secure an interview.

Research by social scientist and Organizational Behavior Professor Niro Sivanathan has found that highlighting a few strong points is the best way to make your case.

Including additional data that doesn’t directly support your argument weakens your case. This means someone with less – or even less relevant – experience may get called over someone with more expertise simply because their relevant experience didn’t get lost among other achievements and accolades.

To avoid this your resume should only include your most relevant experience. But how do we know what’s most relevant? Luckily, the employers tell us! Every job listing is a wish list of the knowledge, skills, and experience of the ideal candidate. By studying a few listings in your chosen field, you’ll see common themes and terms that tell you what is most relevant to potential employers. 

Any of those skills and experiences should go on your resume. Everything else – unless it fills a career gap – should be cut out!

As a career changer or job seeker, the best thing you can do is highlight only your most relevant expertise. Save the rest for water cooler stories to build rapport with your new colleagues. By adopting a less-is-more approach, you can craft a compelling resume that showcases your experience and lands interviews.