Why are resumes still a thing?

I know what you’re thinking.

Resumes are essential. They’re the way we get jobs. They’re the way the world works.

Without resumes — how are we supposed to document everything we’ve accomplished in our professional lives? How are we supposed to showcase our skills and experience? How are we supposed to stand out to potential future employers?

And I get it. I really do.

But these days?

There are so many ways to format and frame our experiences. Professionals who help us craft career narratives. Phrases that overstate our roles or make them seem vague enough that they can align with a variety of potential roles. Formatting with pictures and colors and designs to attract and retain eyeballs or to “showcase our inherent creativity”.

But with so many ways to dress up our resumes — who knows what anything actually means?

And I know you’ve seen it before.

People who are incredible on paper, but don’t offer quite as much in real life. Or people who would seem like amazing colleagues that have less-than-stellar credentials.

It just seems crazy that this is the primary way we find work. The work we do every day. The days that make up one third of our entire lives. That’s half of all our waking hours!

Because what does a resume not show?

It’s doesn’t show your ability to learn.

It doesn’t show your ability to collaborate.

It doesn’t show your demeanor. Your general outlook. The way you deal with stress.

And if you’re trying to transition to a new field: it doesn’t show how interested you might really be in a new industry.

Of course — interviews are meant to show us these things.

But does that even matter if most people don’t get the opportunity to interview?

What would be a more effective way?

What’s something that would enable us to be more fluid? More authentic?

Something that would help companies acknowledge transferable skills?

Something that wouldn’t limit work opportunities based on directly aligned experience?

Something that would actually showcase skills and interests and abilities?

Something that encompasses who we are as humans with almost limitless potential to learn and grow and adapt?

There’s just got to be a better way.

Seth Godin says that the true world class jobs don’t get filled by people emailing resumes.

But if you don’t have a resume, what do you have?

Maybe you have 3 extraordinary letters of recommendation. Or a sophisticated project an employer can see or touch. Perhaps you have a stellar reputation. Or a blog so compelling and insightful they have no choice but to follow up.

And I know what you’re thinking.

Now on top of everything else I do — I need to have a blog? A personal project? Something to show who I am? That’s way too much work.

But wouldn’t that be more exciting and engaging than updating your resume, dusting it off, and sending it out to a bunch of people that don’t actually care about it anyway?

(Actually let’s be real — sending your resume through a ton of different software that checks for key words you’ve included that may or may not have any indication of whether you’re actually capable of doing said job.)

Of course, maybe if jobs weren’t just a means to an end, things would be different.

Maybe if people had a better understanding of their interests and skills, we wouldn’t find ourselves wasting time applying to jobs that we’re not actually interested in.

That said — maybe resumes aren’t the problem.

It’s what happens even before you build your resume. It’s how we’re taught to approach opportunities and projects and interests.

What if there was a mechanism to help people truly explore their options?

To learn about the ever changing career landscape?

To see how their skills can be transferable to new roles or industries?

To understand what their strengths even are and where they can be applied?

To push to find jobs where they’ll actually thrive, instead of finding anything and likely ending up back in the job market sooner than later?

But this requires an essential mentality shift:

We need to change our views on work.

We need to overcome the idea that work is supposed to be miserable.

We need to view all our interests as part of our “career,” whether or not we’re paid for them.

We need to be encouraged to pursue interests and projects and learning opportunities.

We need to acknowledge that finding enjoyment and meaning in our work isn’t superfluous, but necessary.

Because that’s how you curb the rat race. That’s how you cut through the noise of people applying to jobs that they don’t actually want.

That’s how we can change resumes from being well-curated advertisements of feigned interest to documents that actually showcase who we are, what we can learn, and what we want to spend our days contributing to the world.

Imagine a world where job seekers are rewarded for being strategic instead of casting a wide net.

Imagine a world where people are actually excited about the roles they’re applying for — and can prove it via projects, writings, conferences, events, and connections.

Imagine a world where deep, legitimate interest and a proven ability to learn quickly were enough to transition careers and jobs.

Because isn’t that better than wading through applications that may or may not be authentic?

Or spending time hiring and training people that are just planning to jump ship as soon as they find something better?

Or spending millions of dollars on engaging employees that don’t actually want to be engaged because they don’t care about the subject matter in the first place?

Wouldn’t a world like that be better for employees and employers alike?

I sure think so. Are you with me?

Then let’s reimagine the world of work. Together.

What are your thoughts? What might be a great alternative to a resume?