How To Build a Resume Website That Will Impress Every Hiring Manager Who Sees It

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A resume is an essential tool that everyone seeking employment should have. The essence of having a resume or CV is to impress potential employers. Whether you're a veteran in your field of work or you are just starting out, you need to have a resume. If you already have one, chances are you've spent time figuring out how to make it shine. Building your resume website is a great way of grabbing the attention of potential employers by describing your work experience online. If you are thinking of turning your resume into a website that not only attracts potential employers but impresses them, here are a few great strategies.

Ensure you link your resume from a landing page

For starters, you need to create a beautiful but simple single-page website, with a link to the PDF version of your resume. This is the fastest and easiest way to get your resume on the web. Using this approach will benefit you in some ways. First and foremost, if you already have a resume and are proud of it, then a large part of the task is taken care of. What you need to do is write a short bio that will go on the landing page. After that, select a photo that represents you or what you do, and put it together with the bio. This way, you will be boosting your name on Google results without putting in too much work. Furthermore, you will also be giving the hiring administrators your resume in a format they are already familiar with. They can easily download the resume, print it and share it with the other members of the team.

However, there is a big downside of having your resume on the web. The downside is search engines can't read PDFs. This means a hiring manager that happens to be searching for someone with your expertise wouldn't be able to find you automatically. You can combat this by using SEO (Search Engine Optimization). This method works by including keywords that are related to your industry, or optimizing other SEO features. You can also highlight the important skills you possess on the bio you write for your landing page.

Try and create a page for each segment of your resume

Using this method requires you put in a little extra work - but it’s worth it, because the result will be a fully searchable website. The main idea is to transform every section of your resume into a page on your website. It will allow you to leave your home page for a summary statement that gives visitors an overview of who you are, what you’re looking for and what you do. You should create different pages for your education, skills, experience, achievements, and hobbies. Each of these segments should show up on your website's menu. It will make it easier for potential employers to find what they need to know about you.

You can copy text from your resume and paste to the rightful page. Try and style the text so it looks nicer on the website. You can do this by using icons to visualize your different skills. Use a header with a font that will stand out, to highlight the names of the companies you've worked for. You have endless options, so it’s up to you. Remember to add links to all the companies you have worked for, and all the projects you have worked on.

Try and find ways that will make each page on your resume website feel a bit more stand alone and cohesive. You can do this by associating a beautiful image that represents what you do at the top of the page. You can also include a summary before you go straight into the specifics and bullet points.

Regardless of how you go about styling each segment, ensure that potential employers have a way of reaching out to you. So remember to create a 'contact me' page, comprising your contact information and social media profiles. All your other pages should include a button that will direct people to your contact page.

Try not to go overboard. Don’t break your resume into too many separate pages. Make sure you only add relevant information on your website resume. While hiring managers might appreciate your colors and font choices, try not to stray your focus from the content.

Transform your resume website into a multimedia timeline for your work history

This approach is the one that takes the most work, but if you want your resume to stand out, you must be willing to put in the effort. You will need to create a single-page similar to LinkedIn that displays a reverse-chronological timeline of your work history. To do this, you need to pick a website template that will let you create one long scrolling page featuring different segments. It is also known as an index page. After creating an index page, create a segment for each place you've worked starting from the most recent to the least. You can also include relevant side projects, volunteer work, or any other personal achievements on your timeline.

As you continue to build each segment of your page, start with standard bullet points that explain what you did. Also, try thinking of ways that will add a little flash to your page. You can do this by including testimonials from your previous coworkers or bosses. If your job is visual you can add a small portfolio to each role, by using a gallery to show particular examples of your work at a specific company. You can also add infographic elements that show off your achievements, some of the Instagrams and tweets you helped create, or relevant videos of you speaking at gigs. You have many options, so try and get creative. Remember to include your contact information on the index page. You can include it in the header so it’s front and centre, and easier to find.

Customize your website's domain

If you want to impress hiring managers, try and invest in your own website address or personal domain. Customizing your domain will make potential employers take you more seriously. Ideally, this will enable you to snag your name as a dot com. For instance, if you are a Franklin Moore, you can custom your domain to franlkinmoore.com. There are plenty of websites on the internet that can help you customise your domain for an affordable fee.

Ensure that your resume website evolves with your career

When your resume is in PDF, it becomes a static document that can't be updated or changed. On the other hand, a website can get easily changed whenever you gain new experiences or skills. Once you get that dream job, you can now turn your resume website into a professional portfolio site which will stay with you throughout your career.

Traditional resumes can be a tad boring. How are you supposed to make yourself stand out? A resume website will let you control the message you put across to your potential employers.  It will also help people who are interested in hiring you to know what you are like. In a real sense, a resume website will help you show off the kind of person you really are, and what kind of skills you have. If you don't have a resume website yet, or you might be thinking of getting one, use the information above to help you attract more hiring managers.

Got something more to add? Let us know in the comments below!

 

Postado 6 setembro, 2017

AliceDBianchi

Freelance Journalist & Reporter

Alice is a Community Correspondent at Freelancer.com. She drifts between London & Sydney.

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