Should You Include Your Address on Your Resume? (Plus Examples)

Updated 26 May 2023

Including your address on your resume was standard practice when companies conducted the job application process by mail. Now, companies typically respect the privacy of candidates who prefer to send resumes without their addresses. Learning more about writing your address on your resume may make you feel more comfortable about your decision. In this article, we explain whether you should include your address on your resume, discuss the benefits of doing so and provide examples you can use to customise your address.

Why should you include your address on your resume?

If you're wondering, ‘Should you include your address on your resume?’ here are some reasons why you might add your address details:

It can help human resources (HR) create an applicant profile for you

Some hiring managers filter candidates into categories and record their information in a file or profile. They can refer to this data later for future job opportunities. They may use your address to create a complete profile of you and provide a more detailed overview of your background.

It makes it easier for hiring managers to complete the hiring process

Although employers can send job proposals via email, some companies prefer to use your address to send the invitation via mail. Businesses may also conduct legal background checks, collect information for payroll and verify your identity using your address with your permission. Including your address can make it easier for the HR department to verify this information before reaching out with a job offer or interview.

It reveals your proximity to the workplace

Companies with a regional target market may prefer to recruit employees from the same country or area to help offer more localised services. Some organisations may also encourage employees to work at a dedicated location if they require specific machinery or management facilities to complete their daily tasks. These companies may also use your address to determine how far you live from the workplace.

This information may also show hiring managers how long you might spend commuting. On-site businesses that offer late or night shifts may prefer candidates who live closer, as it may be easier for them to travel during these hours.

It reveals your time zone

Companies that offer remote work may use your address to determine what time zone you live in and how far you live from their current employees. Some businesses may prefer to employ candidates within a specific region to ensure they operate at similar times of the day. For example, they may hire remote employees throughout Melbourne to maintain efficient communication throughout the working day. An address can also communicate your distance from optional workspaces or headquarters.

It shows you can follow guidelines

Some companies may request your address during the hiring process, and you may include your address because the hiring manager has asked for it directly. By reviewing the job description and application guidelines carefully, you can ensure you follow any directions. If the company requests your address for a specific reason, it's helpful to include it.

Reasons you might leave your address off a resume

Because your address is sensitive information, managers often understand why you prefer to exclude it. Fortunately, you have complete control over your resume, allowing you to minimise the details you provide. You may include information that shows your residency without revealing too many private details like house number and street. Here are some reasons you can leave your address off a resume:

You have security concerns

If you're uploading your resume online, it's helpful to ensure your safety before applying. Researching the company online can help you establish the legitimacy of a job application and company. This information is also available from third-party job listing websites like Indeed, where you can determine the company's reputation by reading reviews. For example, many sites allow employees to write honest reviews to help new employees understand the company's culture and application process. Once you have completed your research, you may read the job description and send your resume.

Alternatively, if you have security concerns about providing your full address, you can provide broader details, such as your state of residency and postcode. You may also provide a contact number and professional email address that enables a hiring manager to reach out if they require further details. This can also open an opportunity to speak with the manager and establish a new relationship before providing specific information. Visit the company's official page and look for customer reviews to review the company's data privacy policy.

Mentioning the address is an outdated practice

Due to modern technology, employers often prefer contacting you via email or call instead of mailing with a job offer. As a result, you may exclude your address to emphasise alternative communication channels. For example, in certain industries, you might include links to your professional portfolio online or your social media pages. Often, the employer specifies their preferred communication methods in the job description, like writing them a direct email with an attached application form.

You can also write a short sentence asking the hiring manager to contact you through a specific channel. So carefully read and plan your job submission to ensure you personalise your efforts to each company. You can maintain your confidentiality by only providing contact information to help your hiring manager follow up on your resume.

Your address takes up space on your resume

If you're applying for senior-level positions, you might have many years of experience and skills to show on your resume. Excluding your full address helps you optimise the space and improve readability. You may emphasise your professional summary, technical skills and work experience that may add significant value to your resume. A hiring manager can make a decision based on this information.

You may write a brief call to action like please reach out to me for more information about my address and work samples if the hiring manager requires this information.

Related: What to Include in a Resume

What industries prefer you to include your address?

It may be beneficial to add your address to your resume when applying for roles that ask employees to operate at a workplace. You may submit your resume depending on your address preference or ask the manager to contact you for more address details. Regardless, try to mention your address for job positions that require you to use physical equipment to complete your tasks. Here are some of the industries you can expect to work on-site:

Construction: Most construction work involves visiting the construction site and making physical changes to projects. Employers may want to gauge where you live in correlation to their sites.
Maintenance and repair: You may visit the customer's location personally, use tools to repair and maintain equipment on site. Therefore, your address may suggest that you have excellent knowledge of the area, allowing you to reach clients efficiently.
Hospitality: Food catering and hotel services may require you to work on-site to greet and serve the guests in person.
Federal, state and local government: These employers often want to confirm that you have residency in Australia before hiring. They may also use this information to identify you and complete a legal check.

Examples of including an address on a resume

You may aim to write your address at the top of your resume to help attract the hiring manager's attention. If your job application requires a cover letter, try to write the address at the top in single-spaced separate lines. Here are some examples of addresses depending on your confidentiality preferences:

Example of a complete address

If you decide to use your location on a resume or you're applying for a role that requires travelling to a worksite, it's standard to include the complete address. Here is an example you can reference:

Rachel Kingston
53 Gregory Way,
Canberra, Western Australia - WA 6225
(61) 9042 8584
kingston.rachel@email.com

Example of only the city

You may feel more secure only referencing your state or city on your resume. Consider using this format:

Suzie Lewis
Darwin, Australia
(61) 1234 456
suzie.lewis@email.com

Example of relocating

You may want to add details of your intended relocation when applying for roles ahead of your move. Here is an example you may use:

Mary Simpson
(61) 9042 858
m.simpson@email.com
Relocating to Gold Coast in January 2022