Can the CV/Resume really die?

Peter asks: There is a lot of speculation about the end of the resume, being replaced by social profiles (LinkedIn, VisualCV, etc.), video resumes and even audio resumes. Really, can any of these things replace it? If so, why? If not, why not?

In answer:
Did Amazon kill the book market? No, there are more books sold now than ever..... OK, so did the eBook kill the physical book? Ah No, see the Amazon tale!

Will the visual/video CV/Resume kill the paper one? Thought1 - do we all look like Jennifer Lopez or Brad Pitt? Hence the idea that a video will totally replace a CV/Resume is ridiculous - it already has in the fields where it matters, like visual arts and TV presenters where its been called a show real since the 1920's.

So will the online information source kill the paper CV/Resume? No - that's like replacing the gun with a tank: more effective in many but not all situations. And we send more letters and consume more paper now than we ever did before we invented computers

You are assuming in your question Peter that the CV/Resume is a presentation of all the facts. No, its a factual sales presentation - no more, no less. Would you like it known in your job application that you weren't great at catching a ball in pre-school: thought not....!

The summary presentation of someone and the skills needing in doing that will continue - and one format will never suit everyone or every skill: part of the selection process starts with that choice of format. What the online world will give is access to more applicants (which it has already done), and the removal of total lie's from the personal presentation, facilitated through easier checking. Candidates, beware!

A door opening CV/Resume...

Tom asks: Just about anywhere you go, on the topic of career development, you hear of the importance of maintaining your resume... Sounds like such a simple task but with the many formats available and broad audience that it may get exposed to, what is the right format? I would like to hear, especially from those in hiring positions, what opens doors? What catches your eye when sifting through piles of resumes? How does one determine what to include / exclude?

In Answer:
Two angles.....

1. Personally, I keep a journal and a "full-fat" Curriculum Vitae. It details far too much for a specific job or post application, but it keeps me up to date as to what I can write on to a CV/Resume to apply for a position. It also keeps me on track as to where I am heading - your last five years/two positions will dictate more about where you go next/are seen as credible, so focusing on that keeps me focused on development

2. A door opening CV/Resume is more about ticking all the qualifications and experience boxes in the first half page of your CV/Resume, than anything else. Hence, a great cover letter won't get you rejected, but will get your CV/Resume more likely read by the HR professional looking at a pile of applications

A good recruiting or head hunting company should be able to take a suitable set of skills and turn it into a great CV/Resume for a suitable job they have on their portfolio - hence, for those opportunities keep your CV/Resume fat as opposed to light. For direct approaches to companies, pay more attention to your cover letter and their annual report to be able to successfully open the door and get a meeting.

Good Luck, and if I can help further - please, just ask!