Deciding whether to include your address on your resume can be tricky in 2026. With remote work and growing privacy concerns, you no longer need to list your full street address. Most professionals now include only their city and state to show local availability while keeping personal details private.
Older resumes often included full mailing addresses because jobs relied on postal communication. Today, everything happens online. If an employer needs your address for background checks or payroll, they will ask for it later.
If you're creating a new people CV or just starting your career, keeping your resume header simple helps you look modern and focused. Whether it's your first job or your fifth, employers care more about your skills and experience than your home address.
Short Answer and Best Practice for 2026
For most jobs, list only your city and state or city and country. This keeps your resume clean, modern, and easy to read. If a job specifically requests a full address, you can provide it later.
💡 Pro tip: If you're wondering how many skills should I list on my resume, the same principle applies: keep it relevant and concise.
Why Your Location Still Matters
Including your city and state helps recruiters understand whether you are within a reasonable distance for interviews or office days. It also improves visibility in applicant tracking systems (ATS), which often filter candidates by region.
Benefits of including your city and state
Risks of Listing a Full Street Address
Listing your full address provides little benefit and may expose sensitive information. It also uses valuable space in your resume header that could highlight skills or certifications instead.
Main risks
How Remote Work Changed Resume Location Etiquette
Remote and hybrid jobs have changed hiring expectations. Recruiters rarely need your full home address, especially when teams are distributed globally. Listing only your city and state communicates your time zone and availability without oversharing.
For remote-first roles: A simple "City, State" or "City, Country" format is enough. It keeps you discoverable in searches while protecting privacy.
How Applicant Tracking Systems Use Location
Applicant Tracking Systems often filter applicants by geographic keywords. If you leave location data out, your resume may not appear in searches for local or time zone-specific candidates.
Key takeaway: Including a city, region, or zip code helps you stay visible in recruiter databases and increases your chances of being shortlisted.
Privacy and Safety on Public Job Boards
Public job sites like LinkedIn or Indeed can expose your personal information to scammers. Avoid uploading resumes that include a street address. A city and state are enough for recruiters to locate you without risking your safety.
What to Include by Situation
Remote or global jobs
Include: City, State or City, Country
Benefit: Shows time zone and region
Risk: May be filtered out if job requires specific state
Jobs with legal or tax rules
Include: City, State; share full address later
Benefit: Meets compliance expectations
Risk: Requires follow-up verification
Public job boards
Include: City, State only
Benefit: Maintains privacy
Risk: Limited detail for local-only searches
Government or security roles
Include: Full address
Benefit: Meets clearance and payroll needs
Risk: Avoid posting publicly
When to Include a Full Street Address
There are still situations where a full address is expected, such as:
⚠️ Important: Always follow the instructions in the job posting. Provide your complete address only when requested or when it is a formal requirement for compliance.
Alternatives to a Full Address
You can protect your privacy while still giving employers enough information.
City, State
Best for: U.S.-based or local hiring
Privacy level: Medium
When to use: Standard format for most jobs
City, Country
Best for: International roles
Privacy level: Medium
When to use: Ideal for global or remote teams
Metro Area or Region
Best for: Multi-city jobs
Privacy level: High
When to use: Shows regional flexibility
P.O. Box or Virtual Address
Best for: When mailing is required
Privacy level: Highest
When to use: Use for privacy on public postings
Formatting Your Location
Place your location next to your contact details at the top of your resume. Use one consistent line format such as:
Standard Format
Jordan Smith | Boston, MA | 555-555-5555 | jordan@email.com | linkedin.com/in/jordansmith
If you are relocating or open to remote work:
Relocating Example
Jordan Smith | Relocating to Seattle, WA (June 2026) | Open to Remote Roles
💡 Keeping your contact line simple lets your skills section shine. Learn more: How many skills should I list on my resume?
International and Industry Variations
🇺🇸 North America: City and state are sufficient.
🇪🇺 Europe: Full address and postal code are still standard.
🌏 Asia & Middle East: Include city and country for clarity.
Industry insights
💻 Tech and Creative: City/state or city/country is enough.
🏥 Healthcare and Education: Include full address or zip code for compliance.
📦 Retail and Logistics: Show local proximity with city or metro area.
🏛️ Government: Always include full address when required for clearance.
How to Decide Case by Case
Before submitting your resume, read the job posting carefully:
If it requires a mailing address, include it.
If it emphasizes remote work, city/state is enough.
If you are relocating, write "Relocating to [City, State]."
Never falsify your location; be transparent and honest.
Pro tip: For public job boards, upload a privacy-safe version with city and state only. Keep a detailed version ready for formal applications and onboarding.
Summing Up
✅ In 2026, most resumes should include only your city and state instead of your full street address. It helps employers understand your location, supports ATS searches, and protects your privacy.
⚠️ Add a full address only when it's necessary for compliance, government roles, or payroll. For remote or hybrid jobs, mention "Open to Remote" or "Relocating to [City, State]."
💼 Modern hiring focuses on your skills and experience, not your street address. Focus on what truly matters to recruiters.
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