The traditional resume, long considered a cornerstone of the hiring process, may soon become a relic of the past—at least if Gen Z has anything to say about it.
According to a recent survey from CVwizard.com, 62% of Gen Z workers believe resumes will be obsolete by 2028. With this generation set to make up 58% of the global workforce by 2030, their preferences are reshaping recruitment as we know it.
This shift is more than just a generational preference—it reflects deeper challenges with traditional hiring methods and a growing demand for more accurate and unbiased ways to assess talent.
For talent acquisition (TA) teams, this evolution presents both a challenge and an opportunity: to rethink processes and embrace science-backed assessments that go beyond what a resume can convey.
The Problem With Resumes
It’s no secret that resumes have limitations. As Harver’s Chief Customer Officer, Dr. Ben Porr, noted in our white paper on the top HR trends to watch in 2025:
“We’ve long known resumes don’t predict performance— they’re just a list of activities or accomplishments. What matters is whether the candidate has developed the skills necessary for success.”
Resumes often overlook candidates with the right skills but non-traditional career paths. They can also reinforce hiring biases, as recruiters may unconsciously filter candidates based on formatting, phrasing, or gaps in employment history.
Moreover, 75% of job seekers are using AI throughout the application process and to optimize their resumes. These AI-generated resumes are rife with inaccuracies and misrepresentations, yet virtually indistinguishable from those written by humans.
The Rise of Skills-Based Hiring
The decline of the resume aligns with a broader trend toward skills-based hiring. Instead of relying on a static document, employers are looking for tangible evidence of a candidate’s abilities.
This approach is particularly important as companies compete for talent in industries like retail, healthcare, and business process outsourcing (BPO), where high turnover and volume hiring are common challenges.
Behavioral assessments, cognitive assessments, realistic job previews, and situational judgment tests (SJTs) provide a data-driven alternative to resumes, enabling recruiters to gain a deeper understanding of candidates’ true potential.
In fact, according to Aptitude Research, more than 60% of companies want to leverage predictive assessments to enhance decision making.
How Harver’s Science-Backed Assessments Meet the Moment
At Harver, we’ve seen firsthand how shifting from resume-based hiring to science-backed assessments leads to better outcomes. Our predictive assessments are designed to measure the traits, behaviors, and cognitive abilities that truly determine success on the job.
Unlike resumes, which can only hint at a candidate’s capabilities, our assessments provide objective data that helps recruiters identify best-fit candidates quickly and confidently.
Here’s why it matters:
- Better Candidate Matches: Our assessments evaluate key competencies such as problem-solving, communication, and adaptability. By focusing on core skills, recruiters can identify candidates who are both qualified and well-suited to their company culture.
- Faster Hiring, Less Bias: Automated assessments streamline the hiring process, reducing time-to-hire while minimizing human bias. Candidates are evaluated based on their abilities, not their backgrounds, creating a fairer playing field.
- Enhanced Candidate Experience: As Gen Z increasingly expects faster, more transparent hiring processes, our assessments provide a smoother experience by allowing candidates to demonstrate their skills without jumping through unnecessary hoops.
Discover how Harver’s assessments improve hiring success in our blog.
A Future Without Resumes?
While resumes may not disappear entirely, their role in the hiring process is undoubtedly changing. Forward-thinking companies are already adopting more dynamic approaches that emphasize real-world skills and potential.
Employers who don’t adapt will miss out on top talent of all generations. The future of hiring is about seeing beyond the resume and focusing on what matters most: a candidate’s ability to succeed in the role.
Harver is proud to be at the forefront of this evolution, helping companies move beyond outdated hiring methods and toward smarter, more effective talent decisions.
Want to see how predictive assessments can transform your hiring process?
Schedule a demo today to see how Harver can help you identify top talent—no resume required.
