When it comes to building your resume, there's a lot of information out there on what you should and shouldn't include. To make things even more complicated, a lot of resume advice still being passed around is based on outdated hiring practices. So, how necessary is it to add an address to your resume in 2024?

Should you add your address to your resume?

The short answer is: No, you don't need to add an address to your resume.

In today’s workforce, most communication is done via email or phone, which makes the need for a full address outdated. Instead, you should list a general location on your resume, such as city and state, or city and country.

That being said, there are still some situations when an address might be needed. Such as:

• If location matters for the role: For jobs requiring a local presence or knowledge, listing at least a general location is recommended.
• If you're relocating to a new city: Indicate your planned relocation address if you're applying for jobs in a city you intend to move to.
• When applying to local companies: If the company is known for its traditional approach or strongly prefers local candidates, including your address can be beneficial.

You should leave your address off your resume:

• For remote or global applications: If you're applying for remote work, your physical location is often irrelevant.
• If you're searching for jobs in various locations: If your job search includes various regions or states, including a specific address may limit your opportunities.
• If your address isn't stable: For those who travel frequently or don't have a permanent location, omitting an address can avoid confusion.

If you’re wondering what else, like your address, should be added or left off your resume, upload it to the tool below — it’ll scan your resume and tell you what’s missing and what needs to be included.

Listing an address on your resume: Pros & Cons

Pros

There are still some potential benefits to listing an address — or at least a general location — on your resume:

• It’s the workplace standard. If left off, it risks raising red flags. More traditional companies and older hiring managers in particular may expect to see it, so if applying to one of these companies, consider keeping your full address on your resume.
• It’s used by Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS). ATS filters use the listed location to filter out non-local applicants.
• It affects the company. Even if a job is remote, some companies may still want employees to be available for in-person meetings or events. Different states also have different employment laws, which means companies may only be hiring applicants based in certain regions.
• It shows that you're local. This can be important to employers who are worried about the effects of a long commute, or where local knowledge is a plus.

Cons

On the flip side, here's why not to add your address to your resume:

• It’s outdated. Companies no longer need this information to contact you — your email and phone number are sufficient.
• It's unnecessary. This is especially true if you're applying for remote positions. By not including your full address, you now have additional space to add in an extra line or two of information that highlights your skills.
• Location bias. It's unlikely, but a full address creates the possibility for a hiring manager’s potential bias against an area, and can hurt your chances of landing the job. It also helps to leave your location off your resume if you aren't local or want to avoid concerns about a long commute.
• Online privacy. Online privacy is a big deal and should be considered whenever you post your name and address online. Using your full home address on your resume could open you up to identity theft, scammers, unwanted marketing, or spam, especially if your resume is posted to public forums.
• Safety concerns. Once your resume is sent out, you lose control over who can and can’t view it. This goes double for resumes posted publicly on job boards like Indeed, or if the job posting leaves you questioning its authenticity. If it seems sketchy, the last thing you want is your personal information falling into the wrong hands. Here are some tips on finding legitimate job board websites.

How to add your address to your resume

Formatting a resume is almost as important as the information you provide. Here's what you need to know:

1. Don't list your full address.
2. List your general location — city, state, or geographic region are all fine.
3. Include your location in your resume header along with relevant contact information such as phone number, email, and LinkedIn profile.
4. If you're planning on relocating, list your location as the city you're moving to.
5. If you're working remotely, list your home address or 'Remote.'
6. Keep your location updated on LinkedIn – especially if you're currently job searching.

Tips for formatting your address

There are several variations of how you can format your address. Here are a few to help you get started.City, state. This is the most common way of formatting an address on your resume.

San Francisco, CA

City, country. This format is also fine, especially if you're applying for jobs outside the United States.

Wilmington, USA

Geographic region. For jobs in the United States, you can place your general geographic region. This is less standard but works just fine.

Chicagoland Area

Zip Code or full address. The workforce might be trending away from this, but it is still perfectly normal to include it.

555 Main Street, Anywhere, AR 00000

How to list your address if you're relocating

When applying for jobs in a city you plan to relocate to, always include that city as your address. This prevents ATS filters from flagging your resume for not having a local address.

Option 1: Mention that you're relocating and include an expected timeframe.

Relocating to Chicago, IL in Spring 2024

Option 2: List your location as the city you're moving to without mentioning where you currently live.

Chicago, IL

If you frequently move, it’s best to choose a long-term address, such as a family home or a P.O. box, to maintain consistency in your applications. Listing a general location, such as a city or state, is also easier for frequent movers, as it can be updated less often.

How to list your address if you work remotely

Whether you need to list your location when you're working remotely will vary according to the company. If you're not sure, check the job listing — if a location is specified, or if there's a list of locations where employees should be based, always include your address.

To include your address: List the location where you live or are mostly based (your residential home for tax purposes).

New York, NY

To omit your address: If you travel a lot or otherwise prefer to leave your address off your resume, list 'Remote' along with your time zone.

Remote (ET time zone)

How to list your address if you're applying internationally

For international job applications, it's essential to format your address in a way that is clear and understandable to employers in the country you're applying to. General locations are far more relevant than full street addresses.

Option 1: List your general area, including city and country.

Vancouver, Canada

Option 2: If your local town is small, choose the closest large city or your state/province.

BC, Canada

Option 3: You can also simply list your country and time zone.

Canada, PST Time Zone

What other information to include in your resume header

Along with your address, there are a few other pieces of information you should include in your resume header.Let’s break down what to include, what is optional, what you should leave off.

Here's what to include:

• Full Name
• Phone Number
• Email Address

These items are aimed at providing prospective employers with the best ways to contact you.

Here's what you can include, but don't have to:

• LinkedIn Profile
• Portfolio Or Professional Website
• Job Title

While not necessary, these items allow prospective employers an additional look at any skills you might bring to the table.  

Here's what to leave off:

• Full Street Address
• Personal Details– birth date, marital status, gender
• Social Media Links– Twitter, Facebook
• Photo
• Multiple Phone Numbers Or Email Addresses

These items open the door to possible discrimination. In the case of multiple phone numbers or email addresses, it might cause confusion as to which is the best way to contact you.

How to list your location on LinkedIn

In the current job market, job seekers can expect to find more opportunities for remote work and job leads from LinkedIn. Keep the previous information in mind when searching for these roles or updating your LinkedIn profile.

Use the LinkedIn Optimization tool to ensure your location is up to date on the platform.

Alternatives to listing your street address on your resume

Some industries or applications might still require a street address on your resume. In that case, here are some creative alternatives to listing your actual home address to balance the need for a geographical location with concerns for privacy and security.

• A P.O. Box: A post office box provides a physical address for employers without revealing your home location.
• Professional mailbox services: These services provide an actual street address, which can look more professional than a P.O. Box.
• A virtual mailbox: These services offer a physical address where your mail is sent before being scanned and sent to you online. Ideal for remote workers or frequent movers.
• Co-working spaces: If you regularly use a co-working space, it can serve as a professional and stable mailing address.
• Address of a trusted contact: For those currently moving or planning to move soon, using a trusted friend or family member's address can work as a replacement for your address, until you're settled.

The relevance of including a physical address in different industries and roles

The importance of including a physical address on your resume will vary depending on your industry, your level, and the nature of your work. Generally, roles that require face-to-face client interaction are more likely to require a physical address than those that don't.

For entry-level applicants, including a physical address is less critical, especially if applying for remote positions. Mid to high-level candidates often have more established professional networks and specific location-based expertise. Including a physical address can, therefore, be helpful for these high-level roles.

Here's a breakdown of different industries and how relevant physical location tends to be for your application:

Freelancers and remote workers

Relevance: Low

Freelancers and remote workers often work for multiple clients in various locations, making the applicant's physical location less relevant. Omitting your address or listing 'Remote' is generally more appropriate, and instead, include your timezone on your resume to help with employer correspondence.

Creative industries: Art, design, media

Relevance: Low to moderate

Many creative roles are project-based and can be done remotely. Consider omitting your address unless applying for a position that requires physical presence, like in-studio work.

Tech Industry

Relevance: Varies

While many tech jobs offer remote work, some roles, especially at startups or companies with a strong in-office culture, might value local candidates. Research the company culture and job requirements to determine if a street address is needed.

Sales and marketing

Relevance: Moderate, depending on the role.

Local sales roles, especially those requiring face-to-face client interactions, benefit from a local address. For digital marketing, location is less relevant. Include a city location for local positions, and a more location for global or digital marketing roles.

Financial and banking

Relevance: Moderate to high.

While many financial roles include remote work, those involving direct client interaction or specific market sectors may require a local candidate. Tailor your resume based on the particular role, including a local address for client-facing or market-specific positions.

Legal and consulting services

Relevance: High for legal, moderate for consulting.

Legal professionals often need to be licensed in their specific state or region. Consultants, while sometimes able to work remotely, may need to travel to client sites. Lawyers should include their local address, while consultants can tailor based on the nature of the consultancy and client needs.

Real estate, retail and hospitality

Relevance: High

These industries often require local knowledge or on-site presence. Including at least a city is often required for these industries.

Healthcare and education

Relevance: High

These fields often require workers to be on-site. Including your local address can be beneficial, particularly for public-facing roles.

Manufacturing and logistics

Relevance: High

These industries often require on-site work and proximity to logistical hubs. Include a local address, especially for roles that involve direct operations or management of physical goods.

Key takeaways

In today’s workforce, including your full address on your resume is no longer necessary. However, including a general location on your resume provides an added boost to your job search.

To further enhance your resume, check out the free tool, Score My Resume, which scans your resume and provides feedback on how to improve it.