This article originally appeared in USA Today's Ask HR on September 15, 2020.

Question: Due to the global pandemic, many sweeping changes have taken place. I would like to know: Will resumes, CVs and cover letters become a thing of the past? What will be the proper medium to apply job opportunities? - Anonymous

Johnny C. Taylor, Jr.: We might be acclimated now, but remember: We jumped from record-low unemployment to levels unseen since the Great Depression. That’s unbelievable and a tragedy for the millions of hardworking Americans affected, so I hope neither you nor your loved ones are among them.

But even if you are, don’t get too down on yourself. After all, refreshing these items will keep you busy and get you back into the swing of things in no time.

Résumés, CVs, and cover letters are the bread and butter of recruitment and hiring, so most employers still take them seriously. And, yes, while the world of work is ever-changing, the reality remains this: They’re not going anywhere anytime soon.

Now, before breaking down why that’s the case, I want to quickly distinguish between the types of materials you mentioned.

Résumés are usually one- to two-page summaries of your experiences, skills, qualifications, and achievements. Resumes are more common in the world of work, but there are also CVs which is short for curriculum vitae. These serve the same purpose but are much longer (featuring your entire career) and are typically more common in academic and scientific circles.

Cover letters, on the other hand, can address common questions a recruiter might ask, such as why you want to work for them, what makes you the right fit, highlight how you’re unique, or, perhaps explain a gap in employment on your résumés.

Ultimately, these different documents aim at reinforcing one message: Why they should hire you. It might seem like a lot of work, but I promise you it will be a wise investment of your time.

If you decide to update your own, here are three things to keep in mind:

• Don’t list every job you’ve ever had to show “experience.”

• Be clear and concise.

• Your materials should reflect the job you want, not the ones you’ve had.

Best of luck!