LinkedIn used to be the way to post your resume online, but now it has become passé. Almost everyone has a profile there, so you’re just another face in the crowd. If you really want to stand out, you need to create your digital resume from scratch, which means purchasing a domain name and developing a website.
When going this route, you want to ensure that the ultimate product is well-designed. If you don’t have the skillset to pull it off, then you should hire a web designer to help you. Or if you have some knowhow but aren’t confident the ultimate design will look professional, you can make use of pre-existing templates from sites like Dream Template and Buy Stock Design. You can also choose to install a content management system, such as Joomla! or WordPress, and make use of the many free templates available for those programs.
But what content should you include? First and foremost, you want to ensure you include the basic information you would have on your traditional resume: your contact information, work history, and education. That doesn’t mean you have to display it in a straightforward manner. You can use a graphic timeline for your work history or provide a link to stats on your alma mater. Think outside the box.
Once you’ve got that information included, it’s time to start thinking about what else you can do to sell your skills.
Include links to your social networks – if they’re relevant. Have you established an identity for yourself as an expert in your field on social media? This can make you a valuable asset to a potential employer. But of course, don’t share your profiles if you’re simply sharing photos from your Sunday barbecue. If you do a little of both, consider creating two separate accounts: one for your professional identity and one for your personal stuff.
Showcase your work. Particularly if you’re a creative professional, this is an opportunity to highlight your talent. Make part of your digital resume a portfolio that shares the best of your writing, web design, graphic design, photography, or whatever your skills are.
Make it visual. Did you increase sales consistently over the last year? Don’t just write about it – create a graph. Have you won awards? Use icons to draw attention to them. This is your opportunity to really help potential employers see how you can make a difference for them.
Share testimonials. Ask former employers and co-workers if they would mind writing a few kind words about your work. Then post the highlights on your digital resume. If you have complete letters of recommendation, you can upload those, too, but be sure to pull a few key quotes from them to make it easier for employers to get right to the good stuff.
Add a video. Do you usually kill at an interview but fall short on being able to sell yourself on paper? Take this opportunity to put a face to your skill set and explain to them directly why you’re the right candidate for the job.
