Top Resume Trends for 2025
Do you need to make your resume stand out in 2025? Here, we explore some of the latest trends emerging right now to ensure you stay ahead of the competition. Key take outs
- TikTok Resumes are a thing
- ATS 2.0 takes over recruitment campaigns
- New AI technology for automating job search
- Data-Driven achievements will help your resume stand out
- Hyper-Personalised applications achieve up to 90% great success
The Market Has Changed
2025 looks set to be an employer’s market, with over 500 applications being received per job. This year may become one of the most challenging for jobseekers. With only 12 candidates typically shortlisted for interviews, the raw statistics suggest that just 2.4% of applications make the cut. While that may seem like an alarming statistic, there is plenty of opportunity to stay ahead of the pile, especially if you know how to manipulate trends and are willing to embrace a few innovative techniques.
#TikTokResumes
Launched by TikTok as an innovative way for jobseekers to showcase their skills and creativity through short, engaging video resumes, this concept has quickly captured attention. Companies and recruiters are using these videos to find candidates demonstrating creativity and innovation, particularly for roles requiring strong communication skills.
AI Resume Blasters: Apply to Hundreds of Jobs in Seconds
What’s not to love about relaxing while AI manages your job search? Platforms such as LazyApply and LoopCV enable jobseekers to send hundreds of applications with a single click. Premium features even include AI tools like ChatGPT to fill out applications automatically using your personal information. Sounds ideal? Proceed with caution: automating your job applications can sometimes do more harm than good.
AI Resume Builders
The rise of AI-generated resume tools, such as ChatGPT and dedicated platforms, offers the promise of creating a resume in less than five minutes—a tempting proposition for busy workers or those unsure how to structure their CV. However, these tools often produce subpar results. Many follow a US-style one-page format, lack proper formatting, or contain generic content. With ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems) and recruiters increasingly penalising AI-generated content, it’s worth thinking twice before relying on such tools.
ATS 2.0: The New Generation of Applicant Tracking Systems
Recruiters have long used ATS to manage candidate applications and interactions. However, older systems often produced inaccurate results. That’s changing. ATS 2.0 integrates advanced AI to analyse resumes based on employment history, industry expertise, online profiles, LinkedIn recommendations, and more. Keywords alone won’t suffice in 2025; resumes will need to highlight proven achievements and use natural language processing (NLP) to convey competencies clearly.
Data-Driven Achievements
Quantifying accomplishments is more critical than ever. CVs and Resumes featuring data-driven results—percentages, revenue growth, or project timelines—are more likely to capture employers’ attention. Jobseekers are encouraged to use metrics to demonstrate their impact in previous roles.
A New Resume Format: Horizontal Orientation
Bored with the traditional A4 layout? Horizontal orientation resumes offer a fresh, visually appealing way to present experience. Particularly suitable for industries favouring one-page resumes, this format helps candidates stand out while maintaining clarity.
Video Letters (Introductions)
Complementing TikTok resumes, video cover letters allow candidates to introduce themselves in a dynamic, personalised way. While not a replacement for traditional cover letters, they can help candidates stand out, especially in roles where communication skills are key. These videos can be hosted on platforms such as TikTok, YouTube, or self-hosted sites. The most effective video introductions are tailored to the specific business being targeted.
Moving to an Active Voice
Once discouraged, using an active, conversational tone in resumes is gaining popularity. Writing in the first person allows candidates to present achievements authentically and confidently, creating a stronger connection with employers. This shift makes resumes more engaging and human, demonstrating ownership of one’s professional journey.
Sustainability and Social Responsibility Sections
Adding sections that highlight sustainability initiatives or social responsibility efforts is increasingly valued, particularly by organisations focused on ethical practices.
Personal Branding
In 2025, personal branding remains a vital element of job searching. Candidates must maintain a consistent online presence across platforms like LinkedIn and other social networks. Resumes should reflect this brand, showcasing unique value propositions and aligning with the candidate’s online persona. What to know what’s better – LinkedIn Vs Resume? Then Click Here.
Hyper-Personalised Applications
Employers increasingly value tailored resumes over generic submissions. Some jobseekers are taking personalisation to the next level by referencing a company’s mission, values, or current projects. This in-depth approach demonstrates enthusiasm and a clear understanding of the role.
“Passion Projects” Sections
Adding a section for personal projects, hobbies, or side hustles is not new, but introducing “passion projects” provides a strategic edge. For instance, if sustainability is a shared value with a target organisation, this section can highlight related accomplishments, reinforcing alignment with the company’s ethos.
NFT Commission Agreements
NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens) could revolutionise recruitment. Imagine being tied into an agency agreement where the agent sees kickbacks from each job you take on, with a commission rising depending on the level and seniority of the role. If you think this will never happen, think again. There is every possibility that NFT’s may appear in some form or other, and integrated into the dark depths of an employment or agency agreement. So be careful what you sign !
FAQs
At the moment, we would have to say candidate volume. Many jobs are receiving unprecedented amounts of job applications. This trend will likely continue for at least the first 3 to 6 months.
Yes, the humble CV/resume appears to have maintained and preserved its form. The content within the CV is what should be given priority.
Yes, AI-generated CVs are being offered across the market to unsuspecting jobseekers seeking a quick fix. However, time and time again, human-generated content continues to outperform anything AI, especially where content has been professionally written. Also, some ATS systems are now red-flagging AI-generated CVs.
There are automated job search platforms being launched onto the market; however, SEEK.com.au and other primary job websites are going to great efforts to block this type of software from accessing their platforms.
The art of hyper-personalisation is an interesting strategy in which the jobseeker completely tailors the CV to one specific job (often done through in-depth research and understanding of the target company).
TikTok CVs are often submitted through their own platform via networking. It’s best to keep a TikTok CV contained to their platform, versus trying to share links externally (as the style of such a recording may not work outside of this setting).
