Should You Put Your Address on a Resume? Our Expert Guide
Including your full address on your resume might seem a no-brainer. Yet, including or omitting your street address can influence the hiring process and the outcome of your job application. In this article, we are going to explain when job-seekers should add their full street address on their resume and how to do it right.
In some cases, listing full address on your resume may hurt your privacy, so it's best to use general location. This is especially true for remote jobs and when you post a resume online. On the other hand, when the company looks for local employees, including only the city may turn off employers. Let's break down when including your full address helps — and when it hurts your chances.
Why Your Resume Address Matters
Should your address be on your resume? Years ago, when all communication was by phone and snail mail, the answer would be a definite "yes". Without a physical address, the employer wouldn't have been able to contact you. Yet, in 2025, it depends on your specific career situation.
Here's why including a local address is important:
- To show eligibility for local jobs. Companies hiring locally often set their ATS to filter out candidates located outside the city or even in districts far away. Thus, they weed out those for whom it will be difficult to commute to the office every day. So, including a full physical mail address can be a decisive factor.
- To prove your local residence. Some employers might require your physical presence in a certain area as they are not ready to compensate for relocation. Or, the company might want to hire local specialists who are available for in-person gatherings even if the job is remote.
- To apply for government jobs. Listing a full physical address instead of general location is a standard practice when applying for federal positions.
- To pass background checks. Some companies require the exact address to perform a background check of a candidate.
In today's job market, including a general location is a must, whereas a full mailing address is considered outdated and only necessary in certain situations. For a more detailed answer to the question "Should I put my address on my resume?", keep reading.
Do You Really Need to Include Your Full Address?
So, do you include address on your resume in full? It is best to omit location details and only add city, state and zip code. Here's why:
- It's not necessary. Since all communication takes place online, companies don't need your exact physical location to get in touch.
- Privacy concerns. When you send out a resume, you never know who might receive access to your personal data. You should be especially concerned with privacy when posting a resume online. Adding a detailed address or other sensitive information can lead to unwanted marketing or identity theft.
- It can cause location bias. Sometimes recruiters might be prejudiced against certain neighborhoods. A full physical address can cost you a job interview if your area is not very prestigious.
- It can look outdated. Prospective employers, especially in progressive sectors, might see a full address on your resume as outdated.
When is it necessary to use a full physical address?
- You are applying for a location-sensitive job. When the job posting specifies they are looking for an employee in a certain area, specify the detailed address to prove that you qualify.
- It is required by employment laws. If you apply for a job opening in government or another industry where using location is necessary, it is acceptable to use a full address, too.
- It is standard practice in some industries. Most hiring managers (especially older ones) expect to see the address on your resume header. And if they do not see it in a particular place in a document, this may raise questions. In particular, they might think that you are hiding something.
Now that you know answer to the question "Do employers need full address?" let's move on to specific examples.
Address on Resume for Remote, Office & Government Jobs
Whether to include your address on your resume or not often depends on the industry and the type of role you're seeking.
Resume address for a remote job
If you are looking for a fully remote job, your full address is not important to an employer. You might want to add just the city and state, or skip the location block whatsoever. Be sure to add time zone (some companies look for remote workers in the same time zone as it's convenient to coordinate the team).
Resume address for local job search
When applying for local office jobs, including your address is a must. You may not include a full address, but make sure to indicate the city and state. Include a zip code on resume - not only it gives the employer the idea about your location without revealing a full address, but also it's good for ATS.
Many employers want a full street address if they want to hire local talent for a full-time job in the office. In this case, including your exact location is a huge plus as the employer will see that you can easily commute every day.
Resume home address for government jobs
If you apply for a government job posting, remember that most of them require a full address on your resume. Government resume tips are different from resumes in private sector, so make sure to learn the government resume format before you apply. Always list your address completely when it's an employer's requirement.
Listing home address is important for ATS
Including at least your city and state is important for applicant tracking systems. Some ATS software is set to filter out non-local candidates. Thus, to avoid location bias and to get your resume seen by a human recruiter, you need to add the address, especially if you are in the same city.
Tip: If you are looking for a job in a new city, always use a local address. It will help you beat applicant tracking system location filter and be considered for the role just like local candidates.
How to Format Your Address on a Resume
Including the address on your resume for job searching takes a few minutes. Here's how to write address on resume in different situations:
Adding address on a resume for office jobs
If you apply for on-site jobs not far away from home, consider adding city state and zip. Thus, the employer will see that you are located within driving distance:
- 5396 North Reese Avenue, Fresno CA
Livermore, CA 94550
Moreover, such a format of your address is likely to pass ATS software scans.
Listing your address for remote job search
Remote employers are rarely interested in your precise location. What they might care about is your state (as federal policies can be different) and your time zone (if they need to coordinate a large remote team). So, here are the best address formats for remote work:
- Los Angeles, CA
Remote (EST time zone).
Including address on a resume for relocation
Mentioning relocation on a resume is tricky. If you list your current address, you may face employment discrimination, as companies often reject non-local candidates. Yet, if you are sure about your relocation and don't expect the employer to compensate it, here's how you can mention it:
- Relocating to New York, NY 08/2023
New York, NY
In the second option, you simply include your target city without specifying that you will relocate. In this case, be ready to travel for an in-person interview if the employer schedules it.
Format professionally
Regardless of your type of position, formatting your address professionally is important to make a strong first impression. Here's how to format the Contacts section:
- Use the city-state-zip format, not the other way round. Example: San Diego, California, 92014.
- Place the address and phone number right under your name, as this is the common format.
- Double-check to avoid typos, misspelled words, and other issues.
- Use the same font that you use for the rest of the resume for readability.
Where to Put the Address on Your Resume
Put your address at the top of the resume, where a hiring manager will see it at once. As a rule, it goes right after your name in the contact section,as in this sample resume:
Image source: https://images.ctfassets.net/7thvzrs93dvf/wpImage5550/f3453b2aee09550c28027bed811f5dd8/including-zipcode-on-resume.png
Pay attention to the address placement - it should go right after the applicant's name and above the resume header section. This is where hiring managers expect to see it and where ATS software easily finds it.
Mistakes to avoid in address placement
- Hiding your address in a header or footer. Beware of this popular mistake! If you include your address in a footer, ATS won't be able to find it.
- Placing your address at the bottom of the resume. Including your address anywhere except for the top of the resume is not recommended. Firstly, it confuses recruiters and they might think you forgot to add it or you are not familiar with resume writing rules.
- Neglecting employer's directions. If the job posting wants a local applicant and you don't include your address, your application might be tossed.
- Typos and errors. Misspelled address or missing spaces give an impression of sloppiness and might turn off recruiters.
- Including personal info. Don't list your marital status, religion, or ethnicity - it's an outdated practice and looks unprofessional in 2025.
What else to add to your Contact section
Next to your physical address, be sure to include details as follows:
- Your cell phone number. Don't include your work number or landline as you want to answer quickly if the potential employer contacts you.
- Your email address. Keep it professional - include your first and last name and avoid "funny" email addresses.
- Links to your LinkedIn profile or online portfolio. Your online presence matters, and employers will look up for you online anyway. Including links to your completed LinkedIn page or a portfolio of work will increase your chances of landing an interview.
Tips to Strengthen Your Resume
After updating your resume address, you might want to give your resume a few extra tweaks to make it more attractive to hiring managers. Here's how you can improve your resume in a few minutes:
Use a sans-serif font
The best fonts for your resume are Arial, Helvetica and Verdana. They are plain, readable and displayed correctly on most computers. Also, make sure that indents are the same everywhere and formatting remains consistent.
Do a spell check
49% of hiring managers reject resumes that have typos or poor grammar. Use an online spell checker, or proofread the text manually to make sure it is free from mistakes.
Remove cliches
Recruiters are tired of cliches phrases, such as go-getter, hardworking, team player, result-oriented, and more. Instead of listing such traits, prove how you used them in the workplace.
Update your list of skills
If your resume has a Skills section, make sure that it contains up-to-date skills. Remove skills you no longer use, and obvious skills such as MS Office or email. If you are an expert in multiple areas, consider dividing skills by categories (management skills, programming skills, etc.).
Remove outdated jobs
If you have 10+ years of professional experience, you can confidently remove jobs you had at the beginning of your career. Employers are most interested in your 1-2 most recent positions. So, you may remove earlier jobs completely or only keep job titles and company names.
Use a strong file name
Many job-seekers name their resume file as "My resume" or "Resume 1". Change the file name so that it includes your name and job title, for example, "Resume-Mary Jones-Executive Assistant". Thus, the hiring manager will easily find your resume on their computer.
Tailor it for each job.
Optimize your resume for each target job. Include keywords from the job listing and focus on qualifications they look for in there first place. Mention relevant experience and achievements. It will bring you a higher response rate than if you had sent the same resume to every job out there.
Add a cover letter.
About 60% of employers expect a cover letter as part of job application. Whether you want to be working remotely or in the office, always attach a customized letter. Showcase your relevant projects and achievements, explain why the company has attracted your interest, and add keywords to pass the ATS screening.
Resume Address: Tips for 2025
So, should you put address on resume in 2025? The short answer is, listing a full address isn't necessary. Yet, skipping it whatsoever can raise questions with recruiters. The best strategy is to include your city state and zip code. For remote positions, you can include only your city.
When it comes to current location, always follow the requirements in the job description. If the employer only looks for candidates from a certain city or area, make sure that your resume includes your location. If you use a different location, your resume is likely to get tossed. And if you only plan to relocate, below you'll find tips on how to explain this.
Need help with resume formatting?
If you need help with updating your resume, our resume editing service is always there for you. At ResumePerk, you can order a new resume or get help with resume address formatting. Our experts use resume best practices to create a document that emphasizes your skills, achievements, keywords, and relevant experience to employers. Do not postpone your career - order today or chat with us to claim your discount for the first order.
Not sure if your resume needs an update? Try our free resume review service. Send your resume to us, and get a detailed report about its strengths and what to improve to land more interviews.
Frequently Asked Questions About Resume Address
Do you need your full address on your resume?
No, in most cases, including your full street address is not necessary. You can list just your city, state, and zip code unless the job post explicitly asks for more.
How to format your address in a resume header?
The best practice is to place your city, state, and zip code in one line, directly under your name and contact details. Avoid long multiline addresses.
Where should you put your address on a resume?
Your address should go at the top of your resume, as part of your contact information, right below your name and email address.
Should I include my zip code on a resume?
Yes, including your zip code helps employers and ATS systems assess your location more accurately for local roles.
Is it risky to include your full home address on a resume?
For privacy and safety reasons, it's generally better to avoid listing your full street address—especially when posting your resume online.
How do ATS systems use your location information?
Some ATS filters may prioritize candidates based on location. Including your city and zip code can help you avoid being filtered out.
What is the correct address format for remote jobs?
For remote roles, it's enough to list your city, state, or time zone (e.g., "EST time zone"). Employers usually don’t need more unless specified.
Do you need to add an address if you’re relocating?
If you’re relocating, you can either list your future city with a note (e.g., “Relocating to Seattle, WA in September 2025”) or just include the city name.
It's not essential for communication
Up until you get a job offer, you are likely to communicate with the potential employer through email, phone, or messengers. Thus, your mailing address simply adds no value to your resume and can be skipped.
There are privacy and safety concerns
After you've sent a resume, you cannot know who sees it and how your personal data is used. If you post your resume online, you don't want everyone to know where you live. Plus, you don't know if companies protect your personal data. Not including a full address relieves you from these privacy concerns.