LiveCareer Analysis Details How Resumes Have Changed in 5 Years: 2018 to Now

Rumor has it that if you travel in space for 5 years, it’s 50 years passing on Earth.

Whether this is true or not, consider the job market the cosmic journey. Within 5 years, technology, the pandemic, and market trends have had a dynamic impact on the workplace that has propelled us light-years ahead.

To help better understand the shifts that have taken place specifically in resume writing, analysts at LiveCareer have extracted data from 50,000 resumes from its internal database and compared resumes built in 2018 to resumes from 2023.

LiveCareer’s Resume Evolution Report covers how resumes have changed in the past five years, specifically examining:

• New resume length and word count standards
• Popularity of different resume sections
• Top 10 soft skills job seekers list
• Top 10 hard skills job seekers list
• Shifts in the most common job titles
• Remote/hybrid phrases
• Number of resumes created per person

Resume Length

In 2018, a typical resume created in LiveCareer’s builder was about 312 words. In practice, this means that the majority of users prepared single-page documents.

However, the landscape changed notably in 2023. Resumes turned towards greater detail, with the average length surging to 503 words, equivalent to almost two pages.

The evolution of the length of resumes between 2018 and 2023 signifies a departure from the one-page norm. Recruiters wanted extensive narratives, and this is what they got. Contrary to popular belief, one-page resumes have long ceased to be OKAY. 

Providing more comprehensive information about skills, experiences, and qualifications offers a nuanced picture of a person’s professional journey, emphasizing the value they can bring to potential employers.

Conclusion: Resume length (pages and word count) has nearly doubled. Two pages are now the norm.

Top Sections Used

Some sections on resumes are non-negotiable. The top five must-have sections have remained unchanged in the last five years: personal information, education, skills, work history and professional summary or objective.

But two additional sections have seen a noticeable jump. Over the past five years, there has been roughly twofold increases in the number of people who included information about certificates (10% vs. 18%), languages (6% vs. 14%), and additional accomplishments (9% vs 17%) on their resumes.

The rise in certifications indicates a commitment to skill development and a proactive approach to staying competitive in the job market. Similarly, the emphasis on languages signifies the increasing value placed on global communication and collaboration in today’s diverse workplace. Additional accomplishment sections help ensure that a fuller picture of candidates’ value is properly communicated. This reflects a shift in candidate priorities towards a more holistic representation of their abilities.

Conclusion: You cannot skip must-have sections, but you can include one or two additional ones. Be sure that this trick will make you stand out from the competition.

Don’t you have time to learn languages or get certificates? Attend conferences or online courses. Showcase your unusual interests and passion.

These sections go beyond the traditional focus on work experience and education, providing an opportunity to demonstrate continuous learning, adaptability, and a proactive approach to skill development. In a dynamic job market, employers increasingly value candidates who show a commitment to personal and professional growth.

An additional note – only 2% of resumes in 2023 include references, down from 6% in 2018.

66% of job seekers include at least one additional resume section.

Over the last five years, the employment landscape has changed, and so has the way job seekers write resumes. During the period we studied, we experienced a global pandemic – which took a huge toll on some industries while others thrived –so it doesn’t come as a huge surprise that job seekers have changed their approach to resume writing to meet the changes in the job market.

Top 10 Most Common Soft Skills Listed in Resumes

While technical skills and experience showcase your expertise, soft skills provide a more holistic view of your capabilities. Employers are interested in what you can do and how you work with others, handle challenges, and contribute to the overall work environment. They also tell much about the candidate’s alignment with the company’s culture.

The top 10 soft skills candidates mentioned in their resumes:

The top 3 soft skills in 2023 were time management, customer service, and critical thinking.

In 2018, the most popular soft skills were self-motivation and team leadership, followed by customer service.

The transition in the most cited soft skills reflects a nuanced response to the changing demands of the workplace. As organizations continue to evolve, candidates, too, adapt by emphasizing a broader and more varied set of skills essential for thriving in today’s dynamic work environments.

Top 10 Most Common Hard Skills Listed in Resumes

Comparing the most common hard skills listed in resumes in 2018 and 2023 was quite difficult because 5 years ago, candidates mentioned skills that were almost completely different from those in 2023!

Top 10 most common hard skills listed in resumes in 2023:

1. Python 
2. JavaScript 
3. C 
4. CSS 
5. Project management
6. SQL 
7. HTML
8. Java
9. Excel
10. MYSQL

In 2023, 8 out of 10 most common hard skills were IT/specific software skills.

Top 10 most common hard skills listed in resumes in 2018:

1. Project management
2. Excel 
3. English 
4. C 
5. Data entry
6. Data management 
7. Data analysis 
8. Java
9. Windows 
10. HTML

In 2018, only 3 out of 10 hard skills were IT/specific software skills

Conclusion: In 2023, 8 out of 10 hard skills were IT/specific software skills, vs. only 3 out of 10 in 2018. This shift indicates a clear trend toward an increasing demand for technical expertise in the job market.

The growing dominance of IT and software-related skills suggests a heightened reliance on technology across various industries. Employers are placing a premium on candidates with proficiency in specific software applications and IT competencies, reflecting the accelerated digital transformation over the past few years.

Advice: Students — consider acquiring at least some basic IT skills and highlight them in resumes. Professionals — stay abreast of industry-specific software and technological advancements to remain competitive in the evolving job market. Furthermore, educational and training programs focusing on IT skills may become more relevant for career advancement.

Most Common Job Titles

While some job titles are experiencing growth, the frequency of the appearance of others in resumes is declining. This mirrors the shifting dynamics of industries, showcasing the heightened emphasis on financial analysis, customer service, and dynamic roles like project management in the contemporary job market.

Top 10 most common job titles listed in resumes

“Remote” and “Hybrid” Resumes

As part of our analysis, we scanned resumes for the words “remote” and/or “hybrid” to see how work models and skills have changed over the past 5 years, covering pre- and post-COVID periods.

In 2018, roughly 2.4% of resumes included the words remote/hybrid. 2.44% of all resumes.

In 2023, more than 7% now contain “remote” and/or “hybrid” terminology.

Conclusion: The significant increase reflects the notable shift in the workplace landscape post-pandemic. The data reflects a clear trend that remote work as a competency is a valued skill for both employees and employers.

Number of Resumes Created by User

In 2018, the average number of resumes created per user was 1.45. By 2023, we observed a slight decrease to 1.37.

What does it mean? Simply put, candidates still create one generic resume and send it to many potential employers.

The biggest mistake of the job-searching world is still being made.

A one-size-fits-all approach diminishes the relevance of a resume. It results in missing crucial keywords, lacking genuine interest in a particular role or company, and even including information irrelevant to the specific position or industry.

One of Zety’s studies proved that 63% of recruiters want to receive resumes tailored to the position.Conclusion: Customize your resume to match the specific requirements of the job. This approach increases the chances of standing out among other applicants and securing meaningful interviews.

One of Zety’s studies proved that 63% of recruiters want to receive resumes tailored to the position.

Methodology and Limitations

LiveCareer analysts extracted data from thousands of resumes created with its resume builder, comparing findings from 2018 to 2023. The data was collected anonymously.

About Us

LiveCareer offers the best online resume builder on the market, plus expert advice on enhancing your resume. Learn about the best resume formats. Discover how to write a job-winning cover letter, and get tips tailored to every career.

Sources

• Tomaszewski, M., “Resume Statistics 2022 (Analysis of 133,000 Documents)”
• Turczynski, B., “2024 HR Statistics: Job Search, Hiring, Recruiting & Interviews”
• Yang, P., “Settling the Debate: One or Two Page Resumes”