8 Signs Your Resume is Out of Date: Is it time for a change?

Earlier this year, a client called me one afternoon and asked me to update his resume for 2022. We collaborated two years ago to create his current resume, and then revised it in 2021 to reflect a promotion and a new product he worked on that enhanced company revenue. Additionally, we updated the format to ensure it continue to garner attention, and reworded some previous accomplishments in light of current market and keyword trends.

This year, when the same client called, I asked him what new information he wanted to add. He has not been promoted again, and continues his work on the same product line with similar results. We agreed there is little to add right now.

On the other hand, another client called who collaborated with me on her resume and LinkedIn profile in 2018. Her career has taken a turn from fashion to highway construction equipment rental. Now, her goal is to work in accounts payable instead of fashion production. So we could add much value with a resume rewrite.

What is the criteria for deciding whether or not to update your resume, anyway? Here are some questions to help you decide:

1. How long ago was your resume created?
2. How long ago was your resume last updated?
3. Are you seeking a new role in the same profession, or are you changing careers?
4. Is your resume font Times New Roman – or does the resume have Comic Sans anywhere on it?
5. Are you using a functional resume format?
6. Is your resume font Times New Roman – or does the resume have Comic Sans anywhere on it?
7. Has your resume gotten too long?
8. Does your resume have a “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” appearance?

A related question is whether your resume needs a refresh—a minor revision or “tweak,” or whether you should consider starting from scratch. We offer some guidelines below.

How long ago was your resume created?

If your resume was created within the last year to 18 months, and you’re seeking a similar role to your current position, the answer is easy: Update your existing document. Add your new position if you were promoted or reassigned, and your recent and relevant accomplishments.

If the resume was created 18 months ago up to 3 years ago, and you’re seeking a similar role, the right answer is probably to update the existing resume.

The more difficult choice is if the resume was created between 3-5 years ago. In that case, examine the resume format. If the structure is still modern in appearance, and adding the new information doesn’t substantially affect the format, a refresh is most likely the right choice.

If the resume was created more than five years ago, 99 times out of 100, the right answer is to start over. Trends change — for example, the use of color on resumes, or removing physical addresses. Neither of those things alone makes a document look outdated, but a fresh format can make the resume even more effective.

How long ago was your resume last updated?

If your resume was updated in the last 12 months, a refresh is probably appropriate. There probably isn’t a whole lot that has changed in terms of format or technology.

Has it been up to three years since your most recent update? The answer whether to refresh or start fresh will depend. Like with a new resume, consider whether the format is still relevant and whether the new content you’re adding will fit into the existing structure.

If it’s been more than three years since your resume was last updated, consider an overhaul. A resume that was created three years ago will often be substantially more modern in content and appearance than one that was simply updated three years ago. Thus, starting fresh is probably the right approach.

Are you seeking a new role in the same profession, or are you changing professions?

If you are pursuing a new role in a different field, whether to refresh or start fresh depends on if the industry you are targeting has different standards for resumes than your current industry. If you are a sales representative for a creative company (a children’s toy manufacturer, for example) and you’re pursuing a sales representative position in the financial services industry, you may want to take a fresh approach to your resume’s format and appearance. If, however, you’re an accountant for a large school district and you’re seeking an accounting position for a midsize private company, you may be able to keep the same content and format. For example, if you’re a former trial lawyer who is seeking a role in nonprofit administration, you’ll want a new format that showcases your transferable skills.

There’s a middle ground. If you’re pursuing a similar career, but not exactly, you may be able to retarget your existing resume without starting entirely from scratch.

Is there an “Objective” statement at the top of your resume?

If the answer is yes, you need an overhaul. Even removing the objective statement probably won’t be enough to meet the standards of a modern resume, since the content in the top 1/3 of the resume is so critical. (It needs to be replaced with branding statements and content that showcases your qualifications.)

Is your resume font Times New Roman – or does the resume have Comic Sans anywhere on it?

While both of these might indicate a “dated” look, the answer may be as simple as selecting all the text and choosing a more modern body font (Calibri, Tahoma). But having one of these fonts on your resume may also be a sign that the whole document needs a fresh approach.

Are you using a functional resume format?

Functional resumes — which use a format that focuses more on skills than on chronological work experience — have lost favor in recent years because they are not often compatible with how applicant tracking systems (ATS) parse (or organize) data. Because the format often omits employment dates — and may not even list specific jobs or employers — the resume data may not populate the fields correctly in some ATS software. In addition, many recruiters and hiring managers don’t like functional formats.

Even a hybrid or combination format may not work with some ATS software. But more important, a resume using one of these formats may be deemed to be “out of date” or “not modern.” There are more appropriate ways to highlight skills and accomplishments even when the work history may not be very appealing in a strictly chronological sense.

Has your resume gotten too long?

Resume length isn’t cut-and-dry. If your business resume is three pages because it includes 25 years of work experience in excruciating detail, it may be time to start completely from scratch. The reason is: If you’ve just constantly added new positions without thinking through the strategy of what you’re including on your resume, it may be best to reinvent it.

Does your resume have a “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” appearance?

This is common if you had your resume professionally written and designed, but you’ve since tried to keep it up to date yourself. Especially for beautiful, modern designs, it can be difficult to add information without affecting the formatting. In this case, you may only need a simple update, but you should probably return to the original creator to ensure that the integrity of the content and formatting remain intact. An HR manager once told me “it’s not the candidate’s age, it’s the experience that matters.” The same thing is true about the job seeker’s resume. I’ve seen resumes that are several years old which required only minor content fixes, while I’ve seen resumes written last year that should be rewritten because of changes in the person’s career situation.