While the key principles of writing a resume never change, some of the conventions inevitably fall into disuse as time passes. Writing a modern resume that doesn't make you appear out of date is important if you want to stay competitive during your job search. If you haven't applied for a job in a long time, chances are that some things on your resume aren't keeping up with the times.
The word "resume" itself has changed over the last few decades. The majority of recruiters no longer use an acute accent on the last "e" of the word, so leave it out of your correspondence. You should also leave the hyphen out of many common terms that you are likely to use when writing a resume, such as "coordination" and "cooperation." Using out-of-date spelling and hyphenation conventions could make you appear old and out of touch. If you're unsure of the current convention for writing a particular word or phrase, consult a style guide such as the AP Stylebook.
Modern resumes often include a link to a LinkedIn profile, where you can show examples of work that you have completed, as well as endorsements from previous employers or colleagues. Your LinkedIn profile can be a much more in-depth summary of your career to date, so it's worth including a link in the section of your resume that features your email address and telephone number. Leaving this detail out of a modern resume can suggest to a hiring manager that you aren't familiar with online professional networking, which is an essential part of many careers.
An email address should always appear on a modern resume. It's also important to make sure that your email address is professional. Don't use a nickname or silly phrase as your email address. The best email is some variation on your name, such as firstname.lastname@gmail.com. If this is not available because you have a common name, try adding your middle name or initial.
Modern resumes tend to be shorter than in the past. If your resume is longer than a single page, try to trim it down by removing irrelevant information and using bullet points to summarize some of the content.
A modern resume needs to be accompanied by an up-to-date cover letter. Starting a cover letter with "Dear Sir or Madam" is no longer acceptable in most cases. It is usually possible to find the name of the hiring manager for an organization using LinkedIn or other resources, so take the time to do a little research and find out the name of the person to whom you are writing. This shows not only that you are capable of using the Internet to find important information, but also that you are willing to go the extra mile to appear polite and professional.
By writing a modern resume that meets all the latest conventions, you can signal to potential employers that you understand the modern workplace and make an effort to keep up with the latest developments in your industry. This is particularly important for older professionals, who can face age discrimination when applying for a new position.
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