Telltale Signs you have a Vintage Resume

As Heraclitus once said “The only thing that is constant is change” and resumes are no exception to this rule.  As we increasingly rely upon our professional networks to secure the next career opportunity, it’s not unlikely that years may pass before we come to the realisation of how archaic our resume actually is.  It’s at this point, most will clear away the dust, add a few dot points, draw blanks on past accomplishments, hit save and hope for the best. In today’s job market where the competition is fierce and Resume content and presentation has evolved significantly, we need to present as ahead of the curve to ensure career success. To that end, here are some telltale signs you are submitting a Vintage Resume.

Firstly, personal or sensitive information such as your age, height, marital status or how many children you have should not be included in your resume.  Any Recruitment based on this information can be considered discriminatory and is not legal in Australia, therefore providing this information that is not relevant to the hiring process holds no bearing and may even be opening you up for unnecessary Unconscious Bias.

Another indication is if your work history goes back too far. Listing every role dating back to the commencement of your career is an outdated concept in resume writing. Updating your resume to display only your most relevant and recent experience will be viewed far more favourably by employers. 

Resume templates are crucial to the presentation of your personal brand. If you are using an old Microsoft Office Resume template or an outdated format, you will lose out on the initial opportunity for a positive first impression.

We all have our reasons for leaving a job and looking to secure a new one.  We may have relocated and were looking for something closer to home.  We may have been seeking out a new challenge that would bring the spark back into our work-life relationships.   Whatever the reason, listing it on your resume is extremely old school.  Changing companies and jobs regularly is becoming increasingly common, so no need to explain yourself in your resume.  After all, that’s what the interview is for.