Address on a Resume in 2025? What to Include Instead

Should You Include Your Address on Your Resume in 2025?

• Understand how including your full address on a resume can impact your privacy, create bias, and affect relevance in 2025.
• Get a clear explanation of what to list on your resume in place of your complete mailing address.
• Learn when it's best to completely omit your location details from your resume.

Have you ever hesitated before submitting your resume, wondering if you really need to include your address? You're not alone. As we move into 2025, this is a frequently asked question among job seekers, especially when considering what information to include in each resume section. The answer has evolved.

This guide explains why providing a full address is no longer expected (and may even be detrimental), what information you should include instead, and when it's appropriate to leave out location details altogether.

Do you need to put your address on your resume in 2025? The short answer is no. Applicant tracking systems (ATS) don't rely on exact addresses to determine a candidate's location. With the rise of remote work opportunities and companies hiring across different time zones, providing a full mailing address is generally not necessary for today's hiring managers. What's more important is how well your resume is tailored to the specific job, how well it's formatted, and how effectively it navigates ATS systems.

Why You Can Skip the Address on Your Resume

It used to be standard practice to include your mailing address on your resume. This helped demonstrate that you were local and provided employers with a way to send interview information and job offers via postal mail. However, communication now primarily occurs through email, phone calls, and video conferences. Consequently, physical addresses are no longer essential or even beneficial.

Some candidates still include their address out of habit or to project a sense of professionalism. However, recruiters are now more concerned with whether you are located in the right region or are willing to relocate, rather than your specific street address or zip code.

In fact, including your complete address might raise concerns about privacy or even introduce bias. As one career coach noted, a mailing address is considered personal identification information, and the laws surrounding the disclosure of a candidate's sensitive personal information are complex. Employers may also make assumptions about candidates based on the neighborhoods they live in, potentially leading to unfair filtering of applications within the ATS.

In summary, as one career consultant aptly stated, job applications aren't census forms. Companies simply need to know if you're located in the general area, especially if the position is on-site.

What to Include Instead of Your Full Address

Here's what you should include on your resume in place of your full address, along with the reasons why it's important:

1. City and State (or Metropolitan Area): Include your city and state if the job posting mentions local hiring preferences, relocation requirements, or a strong preference for candidates within a specific geographic area. This is optional for remote positions, especially since employers often ask for your location separately during the application process. A simple "Austin, TX" or "Greater Chicago Area" provides a good balance of location context and personal privacy. This gives hiring teams the information they need to assess your proximity to the office (for on-site or hybrid roles), the time zone overlap between you and them (for remote positions), and whether you might need to relocate for the job.

2. Time Zone or Remote Status (When Relevant): If you're applying for remote positions that specify a particular time zone, you can include your physical location and clarify your time zone or willingness to work across different time zones. This isn't always necessary unless specifically requested. You can combine your city and state with your time zone or interest in remote work. This is especially useful if you have a background in freelance or project-based work. For example: "Boston, MA; Based in Eastern Time Zone", "Hollywood, CA; Pacific Time Zone", "Jupiter, FL; Open to Remote Work", "Palo Alto, CA; Pacific Time Zone".

3. Key Contact Information: Your location information typically appears in the Contact Information section of your resume. Here's the best way to present your contact details:

   • First and last name
   • Professional email address
   • Phone number (including area or country code)
   • Location details (if included)
   • LinkedIn profile URL (ensure it's up-to-date and consistent with your resume)
   • Personal website, portfolio, or GitHub URL (optional, but beneficial for creative, technical, and marketing roles)

When to Omit Your Location Entirely

Here are some scenarios where it might be best to leave your location information off your resume completely:

• You're Targeting Remote Roles: As mentioned earlier, your physical location is likely irrelevant if you're applying to companies that prioritize remote work, particularly if they hire across various time zones or countries. In these instances, you can omit your location entirely or simply include your time zone, if helpful.

• You're Concerned About Privacy: Some job seekers prefer not to disclose their location for personal or safety reasons, which is perfectly acceptable. You can leave out your location if you're uncomfortable sharing your address, are searching for jobs outside your current city and wish to keep your search confidential, or are posting your resume on public job boards and want to limit the amount of personal information available. Your peace of mind is paramount.

• You're Concerned About Bias: Some employers may make assumptions based on an address, whether consciously or unconsciously, particularly if it implies a certain income level or background. If you believe that sharing your address might lead to unfair judgment, it's okay to leave it out and emphasize your skills and experience instead.

• You're Planning to Relocate, but Don't Know Where Yet: If you're applying for positions in different regions and are planning to move but haven't yet decided on a specific location, it's best to omit your location from your resume. Instead, you can simply state "Open to Relocation." This keeps your options open and signals to potential employers that you're serious about relocating for the right opportunity.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does leaving my address off my resume look unprofessional?

No, omitting your address from your resume does not appear unprofessional. Including your email address, phone number, and LinkedIn profile URL provides employers with all the necessary information to contact you.

Should I change my address on my resume for a job in a different city?

No, you should not alter your address on your resume for a job in a different city. If you intend to relocate or are open to the possibility, include a statement such as "Relocating to [Location] in [Month and Year]" or "Open to Relocation" on your resume. This informs employers of your willingness to move without misrepresenting your current location.

Can I use a P.O. box as an address on my resume?

Using a P.O. box as your address on your resume is not recommended. A P.O. box doesn't offer much value to recruiters or ATS systems and may raise unnecessary questions. Instead, include your city and state (or metropolitan area) if location is relevant to the role, or simply omit your location altogether.

What happens if I leave my address off my resume?

If you omit your address from your resume, most employers will not notice or be concerned. Including your city, state, or time zone, or a statement like "Open to Relocation," allows hiring teams to assess your location suitability.