Sometimes people list pieces of information on their resume that no longer have a place there because they are outdated or irrelevant. Here are a few of my favorites. Are you guilty of any of these or are there any others you would add to the list?
- Your SAT or GMAT scores
- Your dated GPA from 10+ years ago or the fact that you graduated cum laude
- The fact that you are an Eagle Scout
- A hobbies list that reads “Enjoy reading, writing and travel”
- The study abroad program you completed in 1999
- A technology section that references that you know how to use the Internet
- Your marital status or the number of kids you have
- Names of references and their phone numbers
- Your past salaries
- Obscure languages that are unlikely to be relevant to the job requirement
I have to disagree with removing Eagle Scout from your resume. As the saying goes “Once an Eagle Scout, Always an Eagle Scout.” I can guarantee you that about 90+% of Eagle Scouts either still have it listed on their resume or plan to keep it on their resume forever. The transferrable skills that you learn as an Eagle Scout are well transferrable to any job position.
I think being an Eagle Scout may be of interest to another Eagle Scout, but not necessarily to everyone else. My point is that employers are generally most interested in what people have done lately and how relevant what they have done is to their open position.
I agree with Barbara that being an Eagle Scout may not be of interest to everyone but at the same time, I find it hard to believe that it would negatively affect a candidate. I interviewed for a management level position a few years ago and the partner at the firm with whom I interviewed with was an Eagle Scout, saw Eagle Scout on my resume, and I immediately took a step up from the other candidates and eventually was offered the position. In my opinion, since it can only help you, I would always leave it on there.