When crafting a resume, every detail counts. You’ve likely spent hours perfecting your work experience and skills, but have you paused to consider something as seemingly simple as your address? Should you put your address on your resume, or is it better left off? This question sparks debate among job seekers, and the answer isn’t as straightforward as it once was. In 2025, with remote work, privacy concerns, and applicant tracking systems (ATS) shaping the job market, the decision to include your address requires careful thought.
In this comprehensive guide, I’ll break down why including (or excluding) your address matters, how to format it if you choose to include it, and what other contact details are essential for a modern resume. Whether you’re applying for a tech job in Sydney or a retail position in Melbourne, this article will help you make an informed choice that boosts your chances of landing an interview. Let’s dive in!
Why the Address Question Matters in 2025
Your resume is your first impression with a potential employer, and every piece of information shapes their perception of you. Including your address used to be standard practice, but the rise of digital applications, remote work, and privacy concerns has shifted the landscape. So, why does this decision matter?
First, employers often use location to gauge your proximity to the workplace, especially for roles requiring in-office presence. However, with remote and hybrid work becoming more common (39% of Australian jobs can be performed remotely), your physical address may not be as relevant.
Second, including an address could inadvertently lead to bias, such as assumptions about your commute or socioeconomic background. On the flip side, leaving it off might raise questions about your transparency or local availability.
The key is to weigh the pros and cons based on your industry, job type, and personal circumstances. Let’s explore the reasons to include or exclude your address.
Should You Put Your Address on Your Resume? Pros and Cons
Deciding whether to include your address depends on your unique situation. Below, I’ll outline the benefits and drawbacks to help you decide.
Reasons to Include Your Address
- Demonstrates Local Presence: If you’re applying for a job where proximity matters (e.g., retail, hospitality, or construction), listing your address shows you’re nearby and can start quickly.
- Meets Employer Expectations: Some traditional industries, like government or legal sectors, still expect a full address as part of standard resume formatting.
- Builds Trust: Including an address can signal transparency, especially for roles requiring background checks or local knowledge.
- ATS Compatibility: Some applicant tracking systems are programmed to look for address fields, especially for location-specific roles.
Reasons to Exclude Your Address
- Privacy Concerns: Sharing your full address risks exposing personal information, especially if your resume is shared online or with third-party recruiters.
- Avoiding Location Bias: Employers might make snap judgments based on your postcode, assuming you live too far or in an undesirable area.
- Remote Work Flexibility: For remote or hybrid roles, your physical location is often irrelevant, so including it adds unnecessary clutter.
- Relocation Plans: If you’re moving to a new city, listing your current address might confuse employers or suggest you’re not local.
Ultimately, the decision depends on the job and industry. Let’s explore which industries value an address on your resume.
Industries That Prefer an Address on Your Resume
Not all industries view addresses the same way. Here’s a breakdown of when including your address is beneficial or unnecessary:
- Hospitality and Retail: These roles often prioritize local candidates who can start immediately and work specific shifts. Including your city or suburb (e.g., "Brisbane, QLD") can show you’re accessible.
- Government and Public Sector: Many government jobs require a full address for formal documentation or security clearance processes.
- Healthcare: Hospitals and clinics may prefer local candidates for roles like nursing or medical administration due to scheduling needs.
- Tech and Creative Industries: These sectors often embrace remote work, so an address is less critical. A city or state (e.g., "Sydney, NSW") may suffice if required.
- Finance and Legal: Traditional firms may expect a full address as part of a formal resume, but modern firms are increasingly flexible.
If you’re unsure about your industry, check job postings for clues. Do they emphasize local candidates or mention remote work? Tailoring your resume to the job’s expectations is key.
How to Write an Address on Your Resume: Best Practices and Examples
If you decide to include your address, formatting it correctly ensures professionalism and clarity. Here’s a step-by-step guide to writing your address on a resume, along with examples.
Step 1: Decide How Much Detail to Include
You don’t always need to provide your full address. Depending on your situation, you can include:
- Full Address: Street, city, state, postcode, and apartment number (if applicable).
- Partial Address: City and state only (e.g., "Perth, WA").
- General Location: Just the city or region (e.g., "Melbourne Metro Area").
For example, if you’re applying for a local retail job, a full address might be appropriate. For a remote tech role, just the city or state is often enough.
Step 2: Place It in the Contact Information Section
Your address belongs in the contact information section at the top of your resume, alongside your name, phone number, email, and LinkedIn profile. Keep it concise and aligned with the overall design of your resume.
Step 3: Format for Readability
Use a clean, professional format. Avoid abbreviations like "St." or "Apt." unless space is tight, and ensure consistency in punctuation. If including an apartment number, place it after the street name.
Examples of Address Formats
Full Address:
Jane Doe
123 Main Street, Apartment 4B
Sydney, NSW 2000
jane.doe@email.com | 0400 123 456 | linkedin.com/in/janedoe
Partial Address:
John Smith
Melbourne, VIC
john.smith@email.com | 0412 987 654 | linkedin.com/in/johnsmith
General Location:
Emma Brown
Brisbane Metro Area
emma.brown@email.com | 0423 456 789 | linkedin.com/in/emmabrown
Step 4: Optimize for ATS
Many employers use ATS to scan resumes. To ensure your address is parsed correctly:
- Avoid special characters (e.g., use "Apartment" instead of "Apt#").
- Place your address on a new line, separate from other contact details.
- Use standard formatting (e.g., "Sydney, NSW 2000" instead of "Sydney NSW, 2000").
For a polished, professional resume, consider using JobHun’s AI Resume Builder/Checker. This tool not only helps with formatting your resume for a clean, readable layout but also analyzes it for ATS compatibility. It ensures your contact information, your address included, is correctly formatted and optimized so it’s easy for both employers and applicant tracking systems to process.
What Else to Include in Your Resume’s Contact Information
Your address is just one piece of the contact information puzzle. A complete contact section helps employers reach you easily and presents you as a professional. Here’s what to include:
- Full Name: Use your legal name or the name you use professionally.
- Phone Number: Provide a mobile number with an appropriate area code (e.g., +61 for Australia).
- Email Address: Use a professional email (e.g., firstname.lastname@email.com), not a casual one like "coolguy123@gmail.com."
- LinkedIn Profile: Include a customized LinkedIn URL to showcase your professional presence.
- Portfolio or Website (if relevant): For creative or tech roles, link to a portfolio or GitHub.
- Optional: A city or state if you choose not to include a full address.
Example Contact Section:
Example
Sarah Wilson
Sydney, NSW
sarah.wilson@email.com | +61 400 123 456 | linkedin.com/in/sarahwilson | sarahwilsonportfolio.com
Avoid including sensitive details like your date of birth, marital status, or photo unless explicitly requested by the employer (common in some countries but rare in Australia).
Red Flags When Including an Address
Including your address might seem simple, but small errors can hurt your professionalism. Here are pitfalls to avoid:
- Inconsistent Formatting: Mixing abbreviations (e.g., "St.") with full words (e.g., "Street") looks sloppy.
- Outdated Information: If you’ve moved, ensure your address reflects your current location or intended work area.
- Overloading with Details: For remote roles, a full address may clutter your resume, just stick to city and state.
- Ignoring ATS: Special characters or unusual formatting can confuse ATS, causing your resume to be misread.
To avoid these mistakes, double-check your resume with JobHun’s AI Resume Checker. It flags formatting issues and suggests improvements to make your resume stand out.
How to Address Relocation on Your Resume
If you’re relocating, your address can complicate things. Should you list your current address or the one in the city you’re moving to? Here’s how to handle it:
- Mention Relocation in Your Cover Letter: State your plans clearly, e.g., "I am relocating to Melbourne in January 2026 and am fully committed to starting work immediately."
- Use a Partial Address: List the city you’re moving to (e.g., "Melbourne, VIC") to signal your intent without misleading employers.
- Omit Address Entirely: If the job is remote or you’re flexible, skip the address and focus on your skills and availability.
For more tips on tailoring your resume for relocation, check out JobHun’s guide on How to Write a Resume for a Career Change.
Conclusion: Make an Informed Choice for Your Resume
Deciding whether to include your address on your resume isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer. Consider your industry, the job’s location requirements, and your privacy preferences.
For local roles in hospitality or government, a full or partial address can demonstrate accessibility. For remote or tech roles, you might skip it altogether or list just your city. Whatever you choose, ensure your contact information is professional, ATS-friendly, and tailored to the job.
Ready to craft a resume that stands out? Use JobHun’s AI Resume Builder to create a polished, optimized resume that grabs employers’ attention. Don’t let small details like your address hold you back. Take control of your job search today!
