Blog12 minutes read

Why Traditional Resumes Are Obsolete for Freelancers and Companies

By Karsten BiedermannPublished on January 7, 2024

Traditional resumes are the dinosaurs of the job application world – outdated, cumbersome, and no longer fit for purpose. For freelancers, particularly developers, and the companies searching for them, they create more problems than they solve. Why? Because the entire resume process stems from an era that no longer exists.

The Problem with Constant Updates and "Resume Maintenance"

Freelancers spend countless hours updating, polishing, and tailoring their resumes for every new opportunity. Let's be honest: how much of that time could have been spent on actual projects or improving skills? Instead, every new experience is added to a document that few people genuinely read. The truth? Recruiters often skim resumes in less than 10 seconds. So why the effort?

For companies, it's no better. Resumes are subjective, inconsistent, and often exaggerated. Everyone knows the game: "Basic knowledge of React" becomes "Expert in React," and suddenly, a university project turns into "a major contribution to an open-source initiative." Companies struggle to differentiate between those who are truly skilled and those who are simply great storytellers.

Traditional Resumes Becoming Obsolete

The Illusion of Clarity

Resumes claim to offer a clear picture of a developer's abilities. In reality, they only showcase what someone wants to highlight. Are the listed skills up to date? How deep is their knowledge? Does the freelancer genuinely match the project's current needs? There's no way to determine this from a document. For developers, it becomes even more absurd when they have to create slightly modified versions of their resumes for different projects and clients. It's a vicious cycle of perfectionism and pressure that provides no real value.

The Alternative: Dynamic Profiles and Skills-Based Platforms

What do we need instead? Dynamic, digital profiles that provide real-time insights into a freelancer's actual skills and experiences. Platforms that prioritize tests, portfolios, and reviews over exaggerated claims in Times New Roman.

Imagine a platform that directly showcases completed projects, their outcomes, and the context in which they were delivered. Instead of "Basic knowledge of React," there are client reviews, technical assessments, and a transparent matching system tailored to the company's current needs. This saves time, reduces frustration, and guarantees better results.

Conclusion: Resumes Are a Waste of Time

Resumes served their purpose in an analog world, but in today's dynamic, digital job market, they're a burden. They cause unnecessary stress for freelancers and frustration for companies. It's time to leave this relic behind and build a future where skills, projects, and real results take center stage – not outdated PDFs.