- With a tough job market, it's always best to make yourself as marketable as possible in order to properly compete. Many job seekers face problems because they haven't kept up with the latest in technological skills, training and trends in job seeking and career advancement. Don't get lost in the shuffle by still using the same tactics or skills you were using 10 — even 5 — years ago in the job market. Here are 10 tell-tale signs you need to step your game up. <i>— Aisha Taylor<i>
- <strong>No E-mail Address:</strong> In today’s technology-driven world, submission of a resume without an e-mail address is a surefire way to limit your chances of getting a response. In the past, most employers would contact candidates via phone or postal mail. But the likelihood of a company using snail mail to request an interview is slim to none. Due to the high response rate received for job openings, HR professionals find it more efficient to contact candidates via e-mail. So, be sure to include a professional e-mail address on your resume (ex. firstnamelastname@e-mail.com) and check that account often. Remember to check your junk inbox regularly just in case you receive an unrecognized e-mail from a potential employer.
- <strong>A Lifelong History:</strong> It used to be acceptable to chronologically list every job you ever had on your resume. However, today’s hiring managers are more concerned about the relevance of your experience rather than the length of your experience. For an experienced professional, listing your first job out of high school isn’t really necessary unless it’s the only job you’ve ever had. While 10 years of work history is the standard, it’s okay to list older experience if it is relevant.
Woman with laptop on couch
- <strong>References:</strong> Including a phrase such as <a title=References available upon request href="http://www.blackenterprise.com/2010/11/15/how-to-maximize-references-in-your-job-search/"><strong>"References available upon request"</strong></a> is perhaps the most common offense found on outdated resumes. It’s a waste of space and an unnecessary inclusion. Employers know that you’ll provide references if requested. You don’t have to say it. It is also important to note that references should only be submitted when requested by the employer. Don’t send references with your resume unless instructed in the job posting.
- <strong>Hobbies/Interests:</strong> Resumes of old would usually end with a section listing the candidate’s hobbies and interests, such as reading, traveling, and fishing. This is no longer an acceptable or necessary practice. Save the sharing of hobbies for the interview, if asked.
Portrait of a Businesswoman Sitting in a Meeting at a Conference Room Table
- <strong>Title:</strong> It was a very antiquated tradition to place a title at the top of the resume. Job seekers would write “Resume of…” so that employers would know what they were receiving. Instead of titling your resume on the actual document, use the file name to clearly indicate what you’re sending. A simple file name is suggested (ex. FirstNameLastNameResume.doc).
- <strong>Personal Info:</strong> Job seekers should never include personal information such as <a title="race" href="http://www.blackenterprise.com/2011/07/21/40-best-companies-for-diversity-2/"><strong>race</strong></a>, <a title="age" href="http://www.blackenterprise.com/2011/03/14/reverse-mentorship-how-boomers-can-learn-from-generation-y/"><strong>age</strong></a>, and marital status on their resume. Unless you’re a model or actress, employers aren’t allowed to make decisions based on any personal information. HR departments likely won’t pass on resumes that include such information to managers for risk of complicating the equal opportunity employment process. But, add any chances of disqualification by including unnecessary information.
- <strong>Outdated Tech Skills: </strong>Today’s employers aren’t really concerned about your ability to use DOS, typewriters, or fax machines. If your resume makes reference to any outdated forms of <a title="technology" href="http://www.blackenterprise.com/2011/03/01/use-technology-for-empowerment-not-entertainment/"><strong>technology</strong></a> that aren’t heavily used anymore, be sure to remove such references immediately. You should be able to replace old forms of technology with new computer systems and software. If you haven’t updated your technical skills, consider taking a continuing education course so that the <a title="technical skills" href="http://www.blackenterprise.com/2010/05/26/using-tech-to-beat-the-clock/"><strong>technical skills</strong></a> listed on your resume will be modern and not antiquated.
- <strong>Resume Paper:</strong> When resumes were primarily mailed to <a title="employers" href="http://www.blackenterprise.com/2011/08/25/from-college-graduation-to-career-success-your-step-by-step-guide/"><strong>employers</strong></a>, it was expected to have your resume printed on the finest quality of resume paper. However, most resumes today are e-mailed or posted on Internet job boards. If you are still printing your resume on special paper and mailing it, you’re wasting valuable time and money. Unless mailing is required, you should always submit your resume in an electronic format. There are some times when a printed resume is needed, i.e. a job fair or a <a title="first interview" href="http://www.blackenterprise.com/2011/07/22/7-ways-to-blow-a-job-interview/"><strong>first interview</strong></a>, however, standard white printing paper works just fine.
- <strong>Cramming: </strong> The old rule of a one-page resume forced many job seekers to cram everything onto one-page. Avoid using extremely small fonts and tiny margins just to stay on one page. An easy-to-read document is more important that having it all on one page. It’s perfectly fine to have a two-page resume in today’s market, as long as the <a title="content is relevant" href="../2010/06/22/seven-things-to-leave-off-your-resume/"><strong>content is relevant</strong></a>.
- <strong>Do you have any career advancement or job seeking issues you’d like addressed? E-mail questions to careerquestions@blackenterprise.com. <i>Aisha Taylor (@realTAYLORmade) is co-owner and chief consultant at TAYLORmade Professional Career Consulting, a Web-based, full-service career consulting company committed to “equipping, preparing, and empowering today’s professional” globally. Check out her weekly insights on job-seeking and interviewing success every Friday on BlackEnterprise.com. </i></strong>
Hello,
I was trying to read the article on 10 signs of an outdated resume.
This is my first time using this sight so please help.
Thanks,
Jermaine Baker
keep hitting the next button, it will eventually update… it worked for me
The prev and next commands are not linking me to the additional information in the article by Aisha Taylor.
Great topic. I too and unable to view the 10 signs my resume is outdated…
the prev and next commands don’t work when I try to read the whole story about outdated resumes
The link to read the story is not working. Please advise
This is almost frustrating. The links do not work, there are boxes on top of the article. I truly expect more from a website that prides itself on educating readers (especially African Americans) on finance and business topics. I guess I’ll go over to the CNN website!!
Hi, readers. The links are now working. Many apologies and please be sure to continue following up with us at BlackEnterprise.com on our features.
Yes, the links are working now. We apologize for any inconvenience. Be sure to send me your career questions at careerquestions@blackenterprise.com. Yours may be chosen for my next career blog. Peace & Blessings!
Links not working, first time on the site.
Is there another site that has the article? or just email it.
Well i am not able to click on the links as well.
Ms. Polk, what Internet browser are you using? If you still can’t view the article properly, I’d like to be able to tell our tech team so they can find a solution.
The links are still not working. I’ve tried to read several articles with the same problem. I’m on IE ver 8 and windows XP pro.
Hi. Lorraine. Thanks so much for your patience and for being a reader. Please try now and let me know whether it’s working for you in IE. Our team here has fixed the problem. I’ve tested it on my computer and the next buttons now work.
The next button doesn’t work so I can’t view the article about the 10 resume outdated
Hi Nicole. Many apologies for the technical difficulties. If you’re using IE, we had some technical difficulties. Our team here has now fixed. Please let me know if you have any further problems viewing articles using the IE (Internet Explorer) browser.
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Thank you ever so for you blog article.Really looking forward to read more. Great.
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