You’re more than a list of skills on a piece of paper, so why not beef up your resume online and show potential employers who’s the best man for the job? Career expert Melissa Llarena, owner of career solutions firm Career Outcomes Matter LLC, gives the lowdown on how to make the best of your employable skills online and keep you ahead of the curve.
The Game Has Changed
Besides being black print on a white sheet, your resume can come alive online through various media: video, a presentation; a micro-site or a podcast; a portfolio or a blog. Think about which format is most suitable for your industry and audience, and which will leave a long-lasting impression. Remember to cover all your bases. That sophisticated video resume can lose its luster quickly if you forget to include your contact info.
The following elements are crucial for any resume that will live online:
- Keywords that tie directly to desired roles must be listed. Scan the job description of the position you are applying for and tailor your resume accordingly. Some employers run resumes through key word searches just to eliminate candidates.
- Print or click on the resume to see what a recruiter will see when he clicks on your link.
- When applying online, you will often be asked to upload your resume as a file, uploading a .PDF file will help prevent formatting issues that can occur when using a word processing format such as MS Word.
- Hyperlink where possible to make things easier for recruiters and hiring managers. Make sure the links work! Dead links can cost you everything.
- Say the most important things on top or above the fold. Making someone scroll for what’s good isn’t fun.
- On LinkedIn, avoid headlines that list generic job titles like analyst, marketing executive, managing director, etc.
It’s All About Visibility
If you’re not online you can’t be found. Increase your chances of employment by posting your resume to websites like LinkedIn so that employers or recruiters can easily share your resume with decision-makers in that medium. LinkedIn can also help you get to know your audience — read their profiles, learn about their companies — so you can effectively target your resume. When applying online through a company’s website, save your resume to their database for future opportunities. Also, niche job websites where the traffic is highly targeted can be very useful. For instance, websites like Mediabistro are better for media professionals rather than a general one like CareerBuilder.com. Forgo places like Craigslist which is a better site to buy super cheap chia pets rather than to find a worthwhile job.
Invest To Stand Out
You can use online resume service sites like VisualCV and Razume. But I’d suggest investing money in a proven writer, a web developer or an awesome video editor that can help you stand out. It pays to not to use an online template or to have strangers (whose credibility could be zilch) critique your work.
One Resume Per Person
Beware of version control! Avoid having different resumes floating around the web. If a recruiter stumbles upon one resume that says you want to go into media planning and then another where your goal is to work at an ad agency than your credibility will be lost. Have one core resume and potentially change up the skills or accomplishments that you highlight depending on the audience.
The Basics Remain the Same
The content of either a hardcopy or online resume should still center on what a candidate can offer a potential employer. Emphasize your skills beginning with a summary statement and continue with bullets that highlight major projects within each role you’ve assumed in past and present jobs along with proof of your involvement. For example, you led X and as a result of you doing Y you landed Z in incremental revenue.
Even if you maintain an online resume, always submit a cover letter — writing one is a necessary evil. If you don’t include a summary that highlights who you are, what you do, how you do it differently, and how it applies to your prospective employer then you are starting your relationship on the wrong foot. Finally, avoid the generic “To Whom it May Concern” or “Dear Sir or Madam”. With plenty of online research tools such as Facebook or LinkedIn potential employers want to see that you did your homework and at least found the name of a relevant person in human resources or recruitment to send your resume to.
More On — and Off-line Pointers
- Keep it concise. Do not write clunky paragraphs or bombard your resume with crazy fonts and colors.
- Don’t bore your reader! Only include information of interest.
- Stay away from jargon or acronyms.
- Don’t lie.
- Remove phrases like, “responsible for,” since it doesn’t say much. Use only precise verbs that describe your skills (i.e., managed, led, sold-in, etc.).
- Omit “references available upon request.” It’s the most obvious point you can make.
An online resume is a chance to let your skills shine like they never have on hardcopy, so don’t be afraid to let out the big guns — this is your career we’re talking about.
Melissa Llarena is the owner of career solutions firm Career Outcomes Matter LLC. For the last 10 years she has conducted professional development workshops and one-on-one assistance with career/job hunt strategies, resume writing, LinkedIn strategies/profiles, mock behavioral interviews, salary negotiations and leadership/rotational program job applications. Her firm teaches high potential individuals how to sell their superpowers so they can reach the professional goals they once thought were unattainable.
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