Outdated Practice: Objective statements were once a staple on resumes, serving as a way to introduce the candidate to employers. However, they often lack relevance and are overly focused on the job seeker’s desires rather than what the employer is seeking.
Why to Avoid: Employers today want to see value upfront. Objective statements like “I’m seeking a position to advance my career” fail to communicate what you bring to the table.
Modern Approach: Professional Summary – This brief statement focuses on your expertise, skills, and the unique value you offer. Tailor it to the specific role you are applying for.
How to Write a Strong Professional Summary:
Example:
Instead of: "Seeking a challenging role in a growing company."
Use: "Results-driven marketing expert with 5+ years of experience in SEO and digital marketing. Proven ability to increase engagement and drive revenue growth for clients."
Outdated Practice: The traditional "one-page resume" rule was once considered a standard, especially for those starting out. However, in 2025, this may not be ideal.
Why to Avoid: A one-page resume limits your ability to showcase a diverse skill set, accomplishments, and certifications. Employers often seek more detailed insights into your qualifications.
Modern Approach: Consider a two-page resume if you have significant experience. This allows you to showcase your achievements and expertise in greater depth.
When to Keep It Short: Entry-level candidates or those with under 5 years of experience may still benefit from a one-page resume.
When to Expand: Mid-senior professionals or those in specialized fields can use the extra space to detail their accomplishments, certifications, and advanced skills.
Outdated Practice: Resumes often relied on traditional fonts like Times New Roman or Arial. These fonts are now considered dull and outdated.
Why to Avoid: Using old-fashioned fonts can make your resume look like it belongs to a different era. Additionally, poor readability can make it harder for hiring managers to absorb your information.
Modern Approach: Use modern fonts like Calibri, Helvetica, or Lato that are easy to read and align with current design trends. Ensure font sizes are between 10-12 pt for body text.
Font Tips:
Outdated Practice: Many candidates send out the same resume to multiple employers, without tailoring it to the specific role.
Why to Avoid: Sending a generic resume can suggest that you’re not truly interested in the position or the company. Employers want to see how you specifically fit the role.
Modern Approach: Customize your resume for each job application. Tailor your professional summary and highlight relevant experiences to align with the job description.
Outdated Practice: Using generic templates may be convenient, but they don’t stand out among a pile of similar resumes.
Why to Avoid: Templates can lack originality and fail to showcase your personal strengths and achievements.
Modern Approach: Create a customized resume design that reflects your personal brand and fits the job you're applying for. Tools like Canva and Adobe Express provide customizable options that allow for creativity and personalization.
Outdated Practice: Simply stating duties or responsibilities without specific figures is a common mistake.
Why to Avoid: Employers want results. Vague statements like "increased sales" don’t provide the measurable impact of your actions.
Modern Approach: Quantify your achievements. Use numbers, percentages, and time frames to show how your work directly contributed to the company’s success.
How to Quantify:
Outdated Practice: Including personal social media accounts such as Facebook or Twitter may detract from your professionalism.
Why to Avoid: Employers are more interested in your professional presence than your personal life. Irrelevant or unprofessional links can harm your chances.
Modern Approach: Only include links to professional profiles, such as LinkedIn or a personal website/portfolio. Make sure these profiles are up-to-date and reflect your career journey.