Technology has changed the way we do everything, and how resumes are reviewed and handled during the hiring process is no exception. Instead of coming in as hard copies in snail mail, most resumes now are submitted as attachments to emails or to electronic applications. This opens up many possibilities where technology can be used to enhance a resume’s usefulness. We’ll explore three below.
But before we do, let’s establish some general facts about resumes.
Think of a resume as a marketing flyer. Resumes are meant to advertise the experience and skill you are offering for hire. As long as the content is truthful, resumes aren’t required to be exhaustive. I in other words, they can include or exclude whatever fits the job you are applying for.
Unlike an application (which is a legal document when signed and dated), resumes are only a marketing tool, an introduction, whose goal is to get you an interview. Keep that in mind are we look at these trends.
Resume digital tools. These are websites and services (some free) such as ResumUP.com and Vizualize.me that will take your existing LinkedIn profile and convert it into something like an infograph, or data graphic –complete with color charts and timelines. It’s fun to see your same boring info illustrated and presented in a visual way. Results can be shared with prospective employers as a link or pdf.
Color and formatting. These websites offer resume templates that look more attractive and interesting than a traditional resume, yet retain conventional time-honored fonts and layouts. They’re clean and polished and present information in an easy-to-skim and easy-to-read format (a big plus for recruiters). Note: If you’re applying to organizations that have automated readers or applicant-tracking systems, make sure your template is technology-friendly.
The online component. Sites such as www.about.me let you create a free personalized webpage that can be used as an extension of your resume. But the easiest way to supplement your resume with an online component is to provide employers with a link to your LinkedIn profile. There you can have additional video, samples of work, portfolio and links to references.
So in your next job search, don’t be afraid to use these new tools and give yourself a competitive edge.
© Copyright Eva Del Rio
