Are Resumes Dead?

How to Tell Your Career Journey in a Modern World

Let's face it. Resumes are dead. They have been sadly limping along for over a decade because humans just haven't found anything better... Or have we?

You may not realize this, but the first resume is believed to have been recorded in the 15th century, when da Vinci outlined his skills for the Duke of Milan. Fast-forward through centuries of evolution—from hand-typed cover letters to polished, digitally tailored resumes. But times have changed. The personal touch of old-fashioned letters and customized resumes has been replaced by keyword-stuffed profiles on job boards like Monster, Indeed, and LinkedIn, where applicants now wrestle with algorithms and SEO strategies just to get noticed.

We’ve all seen it: a job posting that’s stayed open for months. Job seekers know that these postings are often more a formality than an opportunity. And so, resumes became commoditized—another line item for HR software to sift through. And as tech came in, keywords became king. But let’s get real. What’s still the best way to land a job? It’s simple: a referral from someone who already knows and trusts you.

When a friend suggests you for a job, they don’t submit a laundry list of skills or metrics—they simply say,

“Hey, I know someone who’s perfect for this.”

So, in today’s world, how do you share your career journey in a way that resonates?

It might sound corporate, but the answer is to treat your career like a brand and launch a marketing campaign. Here’s the approach: start by clarifying your offer.

Take me, for example:

I’m a Chief Marketing Officer, a strategist who aligns brands with community by engaging their customers. I call it "Customer-centric marketing".

My brand? "The Idea Factory."

Once I know my brand and value proposition, I skip the resume and create digital assets or a portfolio to showcase my philosophy and skill set. And from there, I roll out a social media campaign.

Here’s an example post I might share:

"Ready to turn your customers into your best marketers? As a CMO, I specialize in strategies that don’t just meet goals—they create communities. Open to new opportunities!"

Once you’re putting your message out there, it’s time to tap your network. LinkedIn got wise to this with the "Open to Work" banner in 2020, letting people signal to their connections that they’re on the hunt. But here’s the kicker: if you really want to make an impact, message people directly. Target your dream companies, connect with current employees, and send a note: “Hey, I’d love to explore the CMO role at your company. I bring results, and I’m ready to deliver.”

This approach doesn’t just empower job seekers; it’s a wake-up call for recruiters, too. Imagine if, instead of matching candidates to resumes, they represented them personally and vouch for their unique strengths.

So, I will put this out there, and maybe someone reading this can help me:

I am currently looking for a medium-to-large brand ready to reinvent and stay relevant. With a base of $200,000, plus performance-based pay or equity, I’d bring a fresh approach by turning your customers into marketers. Know someone who fits? Send them my way at josephhaecker.com.

So, here’s the takeaway: It’s time to trade in your traditional resume for something much more powerful—a personal brand. Tell your story in a way that resonates and gets the right people listening. Show up on social media, engage with your network, and use each post as a chance to let hiring managers see who you are, beyond the bullet points. A referral or a strong personal connection? That’s worth far more than any list of keywords. Your career journey deserves more than an algorithm—give it a voice, and start building your brand.