A New Era, Resume Free
The origin of the resume can be traced back to 1482 when Leonardo da Vinci wrote a letter to the Duke of Milan detailing his inventions. It is argued that the letter format is most similar to a cover letter, however, the process of applying for job opportunities through written communication advertising an individual's capabilities and experience was born.
Since then, technology has been developed and implemented to accommodate the resume. From applicant tracking systems and parsing to online job platforms, the way people have hired and applied has been evolved within the parameters of this standardized formal document. It is the prerequisite to be able to participate in the hiring process and to be included in the system.
After many years (542 to be exact), we think it is finally time to lay the resume to rest. This antiquated document only hinders the advancements and evolution of how we find work and how we hire people. Rather than implementing new technologies and advancements only to be anchored down and limited by this outdated requirement, we suggest taking a new approach that meets the needs of the modern job market by saying goodbye to the resume and joining Do Not Apply (DNA*).
Why DNA* has ditched the resume:
Experience Over Job Titles: Resumes often focus heavily on job titles within employment history. Titles can vary significantly between industries and companies, making it a vague indicator of the type of experience gained within the position.
Soft Skills Matter: Technical or hard skills are often prioritized on resumes to meet the expectations of job posting. Often, identifying the interpersonal skills a candidate possesses such as adaptability, communication, team work, and emotional intelligence are not highlighted despite these skills being necessary to succeed in any work environment.
Uniformity: No one person is alike, and neither is their skill set. The format of the resume requires individuals to communicate their experience in a standardized way making it challenging for qualified candidates with unique educations, backgrounds, and skill sets to stand out.
All Experiences Matter: There are many ways to learn and develop both technical and soft skills outside of the workplace. Resumes overlook valuable life experiences such as volunteer work, caretaking, freelancing, travel, or self-taught skills, which are relevant and transferable in many fields and industries.
Limited View: Resumes provide a static and limited view of an individual that does not reflect continuous improvement and learning, personal projects and interests, and evolving skills. Unless updated and resubmitted to a company, it is not an accurate depiction of the candidate.
Perpetuates Bias: A person reviewing a resume can consciously or unconsciously exclude candidates based on educational background, the heritage of their name, perceived gender, and resume gaps . The assumptions made from these pieces of information can lead recruiters to disregard candidates despite being qualified for the position.
Drive and Grit: Passion, motivation, and attitude impact the success of an individual in every area of life, including the workplace. On paper, someone who may be slightly less experienced, but is driven to learn and succeed at any task or role they are given can often be disregarded for someone who may have all of the experience but lacks the attitude to excel beyond the day to day requirements of the role. It’s not always about where you’ve been, but where you’re going.
The resume has done its best to meet employment needs throughout many eras. However, the limitations of resumes such as their emphasis on job titles, neglect of soft skills, and the uniformity they impose fails to capture the true scope and potential of candidates' experience and skill sets in today’s job market. Resigning the resume and embracing a more holistic view by prioritizing experience over titles, valuing diverse life experiences, and recognizing the drive and passion that candidates bring, we can adapt hiring processes to truly reflect the dynamic nature of work and the diverse talents of individuals. Reboot and redefine the way we hire and search for jobs with DNA*.
