Traditional CVs are Dead - Are they?

Traditional CVs are Dead - Are they?

Traditional CVs are dead - that’s what most millennials and Gen Zs think. Oh! How wrong they are. They remain essential to hiring, even with digital CVs becoming popular.


While digital tools are perfect for skills and expertise assessment, concise resumes can enhance one's chances of impressing recruiters.


Think of them as valuable tools used to make the first impression. So, the answer to whether traditional CVs are dead is not that simple. These CVs are being challenged in different fields.


To know more about this, read our blog until the end!


Traditional CVs - Outdated or Just Evolving?

Traditional resumes are not outdated; they are evolving to meet the digital needs of the corporate world. While the basic format of the CV remains the same, digital profiles, cover letters, and online portfolios are becoming popular. This allows for the more dynamic representation of one’s skills and experiences. Here is more to this. Come on! Let’s find out.


Shifting Job Market

The hiring process has drastically changed, with companies no longer relying on traditional CVs for recruiting candidates.

Instead, they are relying on:

According to 82% of hiring managers, candidates’ skills are more vital than their job titles. (Source: LinkedIn Global Hiring Trends Report).


Employees are less interested in where you work and more in what you bring. This shows the shift from experience-based hiring to skill-based hiring.


The Rise of AI and Chatbots

AI and Chatbots are another significant threat to traditional CVs. Companies are now using Applicant Tracking software to skim through the resumes.


These systems track the keywords and job descriptions to determine your best fit.


A recent survey conducted by JobScan shows that around 75% of CVs are rejected because of AI and Chatbots.


That means you can have all the experience; however, if your CV is not formatted correctly or includes the right keywords, it is more likely to be rejected. You can still make the most of your traditional CV by seeking guidance from a cover letter writing firm. They have experts who know how to outsmart these chatbots with simpler strategies.


The LinkedIn Takeover

In today’s digital world, having a LinkedIn profile is no longer a requirement but a necessity. As of 2025, over 1 billion people are active on this platform, making it one of the popular sites for job searches.

Furthermore, according to the recent surveys conducted by The Social Shepherd:

The reason?


Well, your profile includes not just your experiences but your skills, qualifications, achievements, and endorsements. Hence, this is more valuable than submitting traditional CVs.


While digital changes have certainly impacted the job market, let’s not write off traditional CVs just yet. In fact, let’s see what hiring managers have to say about their enduring value.


What Hiring Managers Have to Say About Traditional CVs?

Traditional CVs are not as dead as you think. In fact, they still serve a purpose, especially for the government and academic purposes.


Government or academic roles. But even there, the expectations have changed. However, they even have some expectations from this.


What?

Well, recruiters want:

According to the survey, recruiters only take up to 7 seconds to read your CVs. Hence, they have to be clear, concise, engaging, and impressive.


New Trends in CV - The Hybrid Approach

The hybrid approach in CVs might not be a new concept. However, it is still gaining importance. Now, candidates are emerging with CVs using new tools to make a good impression, like:

For example, when applying for your dream job, you might submit:


Top Reasons Why Traditional CVs are Not Dead as You Think

CVs are the key to impressing hiring managers, telling them why you are a great fit and your skills.

So if you think they are dead and not so valuable, you are very wrong. According to Finance Statistics, 56% of employers believe CVs are more important than in 2019. They are perfect for showcasing your achievements, experiences and skills. For them, nothing works better than this.


The question is, do they read the CV?

To answer: Yes! Managers do read the CVs. Therefore, you need to put in effort to create a CV. Now, let’s move on and discover why these CVs are still relevant.


Foundation for the Hiring Process

CVs help set a solid foundation for the hiring process. Think of a way to tell the hiring managers why you are the best fit.

Furthermore, from your skills to your experiences, they are the documents that cover every crucial part.


Clear and Concise Summary

Another reason why CVs are still relevant is because they help you provide a clear and concise summary.


Recruiters won’t have to wait for the candidate to explain their qualifications. Instead, they can find out about it through your resume, which, in my opinion, is excellent. Just make sure your summary is relevant when creating a CV. You can even consider seeking guidance from the top CV editing agency in UK if you are having trouble writing your resume. They have expertise and can help you in crafting a flawless resume.


Essential for Certain Industries

There are specific industries, like law, where CVs are very essential. They symbolize professionalism and allow you to stand out from other candidates.

Industries where traditional CVs are still alive include:


So, Traditional CVs are Dead?

Not entirely! Traditional CVs might not be dead. However, they are evolving very fast. With digital tools like AI, Applicant tracking software, LinkedIn profiles, etc., submitting a CV alone is not enough.


Instead, you must tell the recruiters who you are and prove why you are the best option. In a nutshell, the future of the traditional resume relies on their ability to adapt to the changing needs of the corporate world.