Online Resumes

A key question when sending out electronic resumes is the file format. Many prospective employers will only take Microsoft Word files, although PDFs and plain ASCII text files are less prone to problems. Job hunters often find it practical to maintain several copies of their resumes in a variety of file formats, in order to please each human resources department that they submit a resume to.

Another option is to create a resume on a website. Some employers prefer to receive a web address than a file that might contain a virus. It can also lessen concerns about a large file bouncing when emailed. Such a site is fairly easy to create, even with minimal web design experience. A number of hosting services offer free options that allow you to simply copy and paste your resume over to their site.

It is acceptable for an online resume to be longer, especially because a recruiter can search for potential employees based entirely on a few keywords. You can even optimize your resume for these keyword searches. It only takes a minute to make a list of words related to the sort of job you’re hunting for: if you’re looking for work as an accountant, for instance, your keywords might include your professional certifications, a degree in accounting, and the specific skills crucial to an accountant’s work.

An important requirement for online resumes is a method of contact. Many job applicants are wary of posting their email addresses for fear of spam, but an email address is often the best option, especially with the high number of employees who search for new opportunities before leaving their current place of employment. You are less likely to get spam if you post a phone number instead of an email address, but a surprisingly large number of recruiters are less likely to choose the telephone to respond to a resume.

An ongoing issue with online resumes, however, is the question of identity theft. Numerous job-hunting sites, including Monster.com, have had constant issues with unauthorized individuals managing to copy thousands of users’ personal data. Posting your resume to your own website has the same problems, without even the security that job-hunting websites try to provide. So far, the only real solution to this issue is to refuse to put your resume online at all, and as many employers move to the web for their recruiting needs, this solution becomes less and less practical. Instead, job applicants must take responsibility for checking their own information regularly and dealing with identity thefts as they occur.