Things That Make Your Resume Look Outdated AF ( + How to Fix Them)✂️
Using an AOL or Hotmail Email Address
While it’s charmingly retro (hello, 1990s!), switching to a more modern provider like Gmail will help your resume look current.
Including Your Full Address
We’re not sending you a postcard. Just your city and state or metro area (SF Bay Area).
Objective Statements
Replace the old-school objective statement (because “I want a job” is a given) with a sharp, engaging professional summary that highlights your strengths.
Listing Every Job You’ve Ever Had
Your stint as a glamour shots kiosk associate in 1994? Probably not relevant. Focus on your most recent 10-15 years of experience, highlighting specifics for roles that matter most to the jobs you want.
References Available Upon Request or (RAUR: make it sound like a T. rex, it’s more fun)
We know that you’ll provide references if asked, so feel free to leave this off your resume especially if you need space.
Outdated Fonts
Times New Roman called on a rotary phone; it wants its font back. Opt for modern, clean fonts like Calibri or Arial to give your resume a polished look.
Using the Third Person
Writing in the third person makes your resume sound like it was written by someone else. Keep it first person (but without overusing “I”). This one is a bit controversial, but if you prefer the bio formality of third person, ok, but can make you look less approachable and more like someone else wrote your resume.
Irrelevant Skills or Technologies
Proficient in fax machines? Cool story, bro. Make sure your skills section is up-to-date with current technologies and practices relevant to the industry.
Employment Gaps Without Explanation
Gaps happen. Don’t make it a big thing! Throw in a line about freelancing, consulting, volunteer work, taking a course, or if you feel comfortable naming your gap for caretaking etc.
Lack of LinkedIn Profile (or no photo, lacking updated info)
If you’re not on LinkedIn, do you even exist (but it’s not time for LinkedIn existentialism right now… Nietzche post forthcoming). Include a link to your LinkedIn profile to show you’re actively engaged in professional networking.
Save Resume with your name please, not RESUME24.pdf!
My personal pet peeve? Hanging bullets with a second line that is only one or two words. Either write that bullet more than halfway into the second line or find a way to shorten it to one line. Drives me nuts!
(Other things that are outdated… resumes in general, but for now we are stuck with them)
…Also curious what are people’s favorite fonts these days? I always like Helvetica for that formal but not too formal resume moment, quicksand makes me happy but not always good fit. And if you don’t have exceptionally strong feelings about fonts… carry on normal people… carry on.
Hope some of those help and I know a lot of recruiting folks out there… please feel free to add more!
#resume
#opentowork
#careeradvice
