Resumes are all about the details, but not every detail needs to be included. Deciding if you should add your address might feel like a small choice, but it can actually influence how your application is received.
With so much of today’s hiring happening online, a full address is often unnecessary and could even raise concerns about privacy or bias.
In this article, we’ll cover when listing your location makes sense, why leaving out your full address might be the smarter move, and how to tailor this information depending on the role.
By the end, you’ll know how to handle this decision in a way that keeps the spotlight on your skills and experience.
Why You Should Not Include Your Address on Your Resume
Leaving your address off your resume might feel unconventional, but there are valid reasons to skip it. While it used to be standard practice, times have changed, and now it’s often unnecessary—or even risky—to include this detail.
Omitting your address could work in your favor for the following reasons.
1. Avoid location bias
Including your address can unintentionally open the door to location-based discrimination. Employers might make assumptions based on where you live—thinking about commute times, neighborhood stereotypes, or even crime rates.
For example, someone from a small town might be judged differently than someone from a major city, regardless of their qualifications.
According to employment discrimination laws, hiring decisions should focus on your abilities, not personal details like where you’re from.
2. It’s unnecessary information for hiring decisions
Your resume is meant to highlight your skills, experience, and accomplishments—not your street address.
Most employers are more interested in what you bring to the table professionally, like your skills, than in where you live.
Unless the job specifically requires you to live in a certain area (and even then, this can often be discussed later), including your address is rarely relevant.
3. Privacy concerns
Sharing personal information like your home address can expose you to privacy risks.
With the rise of online job applications and digital databases, there’s always a chance that your information could be accessed by the wrong people. It’s worth thinking twice before sharing sensitive details unnecessarily.
4. Address changes or unstable living situations
If you’ve recently moved or are in a temporary living situation, listing an address can create confusion or even make you feel self-conscious during the hiring process.
By leaving it off, you avoid having to explain frequent moves or an unstable housing situation that may not reflect who you are as a professional.
5. Remote work makes location less relevant
With remote work becoming more common, where you live often has little impact on your ability to do the job.
Many companies now hire talent from across the country—or even the globe—making physical location far less important than it used to be.
If the role does not require you to be in a specific place, there’s no need to include an address that doesn’t add value to your application.
Avoid unnecessary risks and keep the spotlight on what makes you a great candidate.
List Your Location, Not Your Address
Instead of including your full address on your resume, listing just your city and state is often enough.
This approach keeps your resume concise and protects your privacy.
Depending on your situation—relocation, remote work, or local applications—you can adjust how you present your location to better fit the job.
List the city and state on your resume
For most resumes, simply listing your city and state is sufficient. This address format for resumes provides employers with a general idea of where you’re based without unnecessary details like your street address or zip code.
It’s also the standard many hiring managers expect.
Correct ✅: Springfield, IL
Incorrect ❌: 123 Main Street, Apartment 4B, Springfield, IL 62704
This format is clean and professional while keeping irrelevant information off your resume.
What to write when relocating
If you’re planning to relocate or are open to moving for a job, you can mention this directly in your resume header. This reassures employers that location will not be an issue and helps avoid confusion during the hiring process.
✅ Springfield, IL (Relocating to Denver, CO in March 2025)
✅ Omaha, NE (Willing to relocate nationwide)
✅ New York, NY (Open to relocating for the right opportunity)
You can also elaborate on relocation details in your cover letter if needed.
When you apply for remote work
When applying for remote roles or emphasizing remote experience, it’s important to make this clear.
You can include “Remote” in place of a city/state or alongside it to highlight your flexibility or past experience working remotely.
✅Remote (Based in Austin, TX)
✅Denver, CO (Open to Remote Work)
✅Company Name | Remote
This clarity helps employers understand that location is not a barrier and demonstrates your readiness for remote positions.
Why ATS does not require a full address
Many ATS systems do not need your full address to process your application. Instead, including just the city and state is often enough to meet their requirements while protecting your privacy.
This simplified address format on your resume ensures your application remains professional and ATS-friendly without oversharing personal details.
For example, if a job requires local candidates or has location-specific keywords, city and state will suffice for matching criteria without compromising privacy.
Tailor how you list your location based on the role you’re applying for—local, remote, or relocation—and keep your resume professional while focusing attention on what really matters: your skills and qualifications.
The Bottom Line: Do Not Put Your Address on a Resume
Including your full address on a resume is rarely needed and can sometimes lead to privacy or bias concerns. What truly matters to employers is your skills, experience, and how well you fit the role—not your exact street address.
If location details are relevant, a simple mention of your city and state is more than enough to keep things professional and focused. As for where contact information should reside in a resume, the best place is in the header at the top of the page.
Ready to create a resume that highlights what really counts? Try our AI-powered resume maker for free and build a tailored, professional summary of your skills and experience that gets noticed.
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