Posting Your Resume Online: How-To Guide & Expert Tips

The Advantages of Posting Your Resume Online

A virtual resume offers many benefits over a standard paper version, like making you visible to employers who are searching for candidates with your skill set. With so many recruiters and hiring managers using job sites to search for qualified candidates, an online presence will open you up to potential job opportunities you wouldn’t otherwise have. Additional advantages of posting your resume online include:

To generate attention in a sea of applicants, you must make it unique and exceptional.

• The ability to quickly and easily notify your network any time you update important information.
• Broadening your network. Interacting with other people in your field of interest can only help in your job search, and the web makes it easy to connect with like-minded individuals all over the world. Networking can lead you to a new contact at a company you’re interested in, or land you an interview for an opening that isn’t posted publicly.
• An online format helps you stand out in the crowd. Since paper resumes aren’t easy to change, you’re more likely to use a standard setup. A unique presentation can catch a potential employer’s eye, and an online resume lets you experiment with different layouts. Before you post your resume, find a resume format that plays to your accomplishments.

Whether it’s your extensive work history or impressive skills that make you the right candidate, you’ll want a resume that highlights your specific strengths. Here are some tips for writing the best resume possible, whether you’re a recent graduate or searching for a new opportunity.

What Are the Disadvantages of Posting Your Resume on the Internet?

You know the upsides of having your resume online, but it’s important to be aware of the downsides, too. The cons of posting your resume online include:

• Over-zealous recruiters. A good recruiter can be your ticket to a new job, but an online resume opens you up to receiving unwanted emails and inquiries from not-so-great recruiters just looking for a quick payday.
• Lack of customization. Updating your resume online is easy, but having it on display for anyone to view means you can’t customize it based on the job you’re interested in. To generate attention in a sea of applicants, you must make it unique and exceptional. Don’t rely on your online resume as your only job-searching avenue—continue to apply through company websites, too.
• Privacy concerns. Including sensitive information, like your address and phone number, poses security risks. Sites may sell your personal information, or thieves may try to steal your identity. Remove this data before uploading your resume or try to get a new voip number that can be used for calls and better analytics.

Before you post, carefully weigh the pros and cons to decide if the benefits outweigh the risks.

Optimize your resume with the top keywords in your field

The Best Sites to Post Your Resume

You likely have a list of job sites that you use to search for open positions in your field but knowing where to post your resume is just as important. Maximum online exposure, from niche databases to widely utilized and well-known networking sites, will offer the most opportunities. Some of the most popular resume sites include:

• LinkedIn. Definitely upload your resume to LinkedIn — this networking site with over 600 million users is a go-to for hiring managers and recruiters in all fields. It often is the site that appears close to the top of a Google search for many people. Take full advantage by creating an in-depth profile, asking for recommendations and including samples of relevant work. If you have the time and inclination, also write content on LinkedIn to demonstrate knowledge in the field.

• Indeed. Known as the job site with the most traffic, it’s only natural that those hiring also use their database to search for recruits. Indeed offers the option of including a Word doc, PDF, or .txt file of your paper resume, in addition to your online profile.

• Monster. Monster has been around since 1994 and has a proven track record for both employers and employees. Once you register and create a profile, you can either create a new resume or upload your existing one.

• Industry-specific and niche websites. The benefit of general and wide-ranging job sites like LinkedIn and Indeed is your resume is presented to a bigger audience. The downsides are you’re up against thousands of other applicants, and you may be offered opportunities you aren’t interested in

• If you’re looking for a job in a specialized or non-traditional field, seek out sites that cater to that niche. For example, non-profit organizations often look for new hires on Idealist, while AcademicKeys is popular among professors and administrators in higher education.

• Your alma mater’s career center. Your college’s career center isn’t just for current students and recent grads. Many people have a special connection to where they went to school, and alumni often use these sites to list job openings before posting elsewhere. Plus, sharing a similar background with the hiring manager will give you a personal edge over the competition.

Tips to Follow When Posting Your Resume

As you consider which sites to post on, adapt your resume to be as web-friendly as possible. Here are some tips on how to upload your resume on LinkedIn and other job-related sites:

• Optimize with keywords. An applicant tracking system (ATS) is often the first step in determining whether you’re a good fit for a job. Optimize your resume with the top keywords in your field to successfully pass through the system. With keywords, it’s critical to strike a balance. Overzealous keyword inclusion can be a red flag to the recruiters who are reading your resume.

• Create a job communication email address. Posting online will generate a lot of leads—and spam. Create a new email specifically for your online resume to keep everything in one place and the clutter out of your personal email. It will also make it easy to see when recruiters contact you.

• Update regularly. Don’t just post your resume and let it sit. Regularly updating and refreshing it will show you’re active online and interested in pursuing new opportunities.

• Be prepared. The goal is to land an interview, and the process can move fast. Make sure you’re ready if a potential employer contacts you. Brush up on your interview skills and keep a list of questions ready.

Posting your resume to job sites opens you up to job opportunities in your field, but you’re up against a lot of competition. These tips can help you craft an online presence that will attract attention and help you land the perfect role. Ready to get started on your perfect resume? Use our Resume Builder to craft one in a snap.