Why written resumes could become obsolete, replaced by clickable, video CVs
Job hunters are being forced to become content creators just to apply for a position, as recruiters shift away from traditional resumes and into the social media era.
Aussie job seekers who submit traditional, written resumes could be overlooked for roles as recruiters increasingly prefer video and interactive CVs with clickable content.
Almost two-thirds of Australian hiring managers expect text-based resumes to become obsolete within the next five years, research reveals, forcing job hunters to become content creators just to apply for a position.
Sixty-four per cent of recruiters now prefer to receive CVs with interactive or clickable content, while 60 per cent favour video content, the research from graphic design platform Canva reveals.
Canva talent acquisition lead Lorraine Dooley says interactive resumes are the “secret weapons that help to elevate your job search, receive more call backs and make your application stand out”.
She warns those relying on traditional resumes will be left behind, with more than two-in-five job seekers already forwarding digital portfolios of their work to recruiters and more than a quarter submitting video content.
Making your resume stand out
The trend towards interactive resumes goes beyond the creative sector, with digital portfolios increasingly used to apply for roles in the finance and legal industries, Dooley says.
She says the tools available mean anyone can create a digital resume, cover letter and portfolio of work that will stand out to recruiters far better than a text-based job application ever could.
Using bold headings, charts, infographics and embedded hyperlinks in a resume gives job seekers an edge over other candidates and makes it easier for hiring managers to find the information they are looking for, she says.
“It (a digital resume) is making sure you are telling your story in the most appealing way possible,” Dooley says.
“I would be submitting a digital resume regardless of whether it’s asked for (in the job advertisement) and … making it easy for hiring managers to see all your achievements.”
Just like a traditional resume, however, there is a risk of providing too much information and Dooley says any graphics, hyperlinks or other inclusions must be directly relevant to the advertised role.
“Really make sure you’re showcasing your personality but maintaining that polished look,” she says.
“It’s about displaying your employment history in a really interesting way … with bold headings, charts and icons.”
Don’t mistake style for substance
Recruiter Andrew Sullivan, however, doubts interactive and video CVs will ever fully replace a well-written, text-based resume.
The former often prioritise style over substance and, outside of jobs in the creative sector, may cost candidates the role, says the managing director at Sullivan Consulting.
“Creative industries prefer more of an interactive CV because (the candidate) can obviously provide a portfolio with examples of work they have done,” Sullivan says.
“But for the executive roles and the more traditional-type roles outside of the creative sector, I would probably stick to the standard, text-heavy resume.
“I can’t see (someone applying for) a CEO (role) doing a Canva-type resume. They risk not being taken seriously.”
Nevertheless, Sullivan says job seekers who fail to get call backs after submitting multiple job applications “need to try a new strategy” and recommends hand delivering resumes to hiring managers to make a lasting impression.
“People have become a little bit shy in the sense that they just apply through (job platforms like) SEEK, through LinkedIn or through (company) websites,” he says.
“You don’t find candidates going and knocking on doors and handing in their resumes anymore but … if you’re looking for an edge, that might be what gets you the interview opportunity.”
‘Moving with the times’
Having struggled to find a job for about three months, communications professional Emma Valentine says her luck changed when she started submitting a digital resume she created using Canva.
Valentine secured work as an account co-ordinator with public relations firm Sling&Stone. She says her resume included a backlink to her LinkedIn profile and her email address so that recruiters could easily access her contact details, as well as education background and relevant experience.
“They were just simple things to make it easier for recruiters to get back to you,” she says.
“I wanted to go about it with an air of professionalism but make (the resume) visually appealing.”
The move also helped demonstrate Valentine’s technical prowess.
“I definitely think it did have a positive impact (in securing the role),” she says. “(Sling&Stone) work with a lot of tech companies and they’re a bit progressive in what they do, so I wanted to show I could move with the times. Technical literacy is so important here and I wanted to show I’m capable.”
Tips for a successful interactive resume
1. Make key achievements stand out: Use bold headings, clean layouts and visual elements like charts or icons to help hiring managers see your strengths at a glance.
2. Showcase your personality. Thoughtful use of colours, fonts and design elements help reflect your individuality while keeping things polished and professional. Consider using a video cover letter for extra impact.
3. Tailor the information: Customise your CV for each role by highlighting relevant skills and experiences.
4. Let AI do the heavy lifting: AI-powered tools like Canva’s Magic Write and Magic Design can help to improve phrasing and refine the overall look and feel of your resume. AI-photo editor is great for finetuning a professional headshot.
5. Keep it clean and clear: A sleek, simple design ensures your CV is easy to read, whether it’s viewed digitally or printed out.
Source: Lorraine Dooley, Canva
Originally published as Why written resumes could become obsolete, replaced by clickable, video CVs
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