A job seeker made headlines when she created a Lego version of herself instead of a resume, and instead of an exit interview, this woman burned her boss via YouTube.

So in the age where a job seeker can have multiple social media profiles, a website, and even an interactive resume on YouTube, the traditional CV can seem like it is destined for the dusty archives. Or is it?

A recent article by New York Magazine declared the traditional resume and cover letter boring, and argued that they needed to die – but are these claims true?

Recruitment and career experts say that the humble resume is still as important today as it was fifty years ago, albeit with a bit of modernising.

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“The issue is there that once they’ve actually identified someone, they will still need a resume,” Rebecca Fraser, a career consultant and professional resume write, says.

Ms Fraser also says that having a LinkedIn profile is important, with many employers actively looking for people before they advertise a role.

“Some people are saying that the hidden job market is making up somewhere between 80 and 90 per cent of jobs available and that 10 to 20 per cent are the ones that are advertised,” Ms Fraser says.

Peter Noblet, Victorian senior regional director at Hays Recruitment, says that people need to use their resumes to sell themselves and their achievements in past roles, not just list their responsibilities.

“It’s a sales document. You’re selling yourself. So what is it that a potential employer would want to know?” Mr Noblet says.

Modern resume tips

Have a LinkedIn profile

Up to 80 per cent of jobs are filled without advertising, so having a LinkedIn profile is important for professionals who want to be noticed.

HR people and recruitment agencies are increasingly using LinkedIn to headhunt for potential employees, rather than advertising for a role.

“It is about having a strong online presence now. It is becoming a lot harder to promote yourself if you don’t have that,” Mr Noblet says.

Cover letters are still important. Source: Shutterstock

Crazy stunts have to match personality

If you’re thinking of using a crazy stunt to attract potential employers, like hiring a billboard to plead for work or making a Lego figure, it has to match your personality and the job, says Ms Fraser.

“If they can’t substantiate that sort of personality in an interview, it’s going to backfire on them.”

Don’t ditch the traditional resume yet

It’s not outdated yet, so instead of just listing your responsibilities, use your resume to sell yourself and talk about achievements in previous roles.

Cover letters are also still relevant. If you don’t include one, a recruiter may be less inclined to read your resume because you haven’t taken the time to write one.

Format for e-recruitment

A really modern tip for your resume is to make sure to include the key words that count for the job you want, as recruiters and employers today use computer programs to scan and sort resumes.

Use key words relevant to the role, including qualifications and skills, and save your resume as a Word document, not as a PDF which can’t always be read, or you may be lost in the system.

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