When applying for jobs online, it is common for employers to request a resume or CV to review your background and qualifications. In many cases, applicants are asked to upload their resume directly to the employer’s site or application portal. However, some employers may simply provide instructions to email your resume to a company email address or recruiter. If you have a resume website or hosted resume page, the employer may request you provide a link or URL to access your resume online.
Including a link to your resume can be advantageous, allowing the employer to easily view your resume without the need to send attachments. A resume website also shows your knowledge of online and technical skills. However, there are a few things to keep in mind when providing a resume URL to make sure your resume is viewed properly.
Using a dedicated resume website
One of the best options for providing your resume online is to create a dedicated resume website. This allows you to completely control the domain name and format of your resume page. There are several free and low-cost websites that provide easy templates to format your resume – some popular examples include VisualCV, Zety, and Standard Resume.
The benefit of a dedicated resume website is you can customize the domain name and page to make your resume look as professional as possible. For example, your name in the URL (www.firstnamelastname.com) looks more credible than a random string of numbers and letters. You also control the hosting and can ensure the site stays live and online.
Key tips for using a resume website
- Register a custom domain name using your own name or “yournameresume” – this looks more professional than using free generic URLs from a resume site
- Make sure the page is mobile-friendly and follows responsive design principles to look good on any device
- Only include resume content on the page – remove any site advertisements or recommendations
- Use a professional template and formatting for easy skimming by recruiters
- Include both a PDF and HTML version of your resume for flexibility
Linking to a LinkedIn profile
Another option for providing your resume online is sending a link to your LinkedIn profile. LinkedIn acts as an online resume and portfolio, showcasing your work history, education, skills, recommendations, and relevant links.
The advantage of LinkedIn is you likely already have an established profile, and it demonstrates your professional social media presence. LinkedIn also allows you to create a clean, shareable URL to your profile using a custom URL or public profile link.
Tips for using LinkedIn as your resume URL
- Customize your public profile URL in your LinkedIn settings (www.linkedin.com/yourname)
- Edit your LinkedIn profile to focus only on relevant information for that role or industry
- Expand more on your work achievements and responsibilities compared to a traditional resume
- Include media samples of your work where possible – images, videos, slide decks
- Only include the LinkedIn URL if you keep your profile up-to-date. Outdated information can hurt your candidacy.
Uploading to a file sharing site
If you don’t have a resume website, another option is uploading your resume document to a file sharing site and providing the link to the employer. Sites like Google Drive, Microsoft OneDrive, and Dropbox allow you to upload your resume and grab a direct link to the file to share.
This allows the employer to immediately view or download your resume without waiting for an email attachment. However, it does provide less formatting and personalization options compared to a proper resume website.
How to share your resume using Google Drive
- Login to Google Drive and upload your PDF resume file
- Right click on the file and select “Get shareable link”
- Toggle the settings to “Anyone with the link can view” and click “Copy Link”
- Provide that shareable link to the employer to access your resume
The same process can be followed on OneDrive, Dropbox, Box, or other mainstream file sharing platforms. Just be sure the link permissions are set correctly.
Linking to a PDF on your website
If you have your own portfolio website or blog, you may want to simply link your resume PDF from your site pages. This allows you to host it on your own domain while making it available as a downloadable file.
This option still allows you to brand the resume with your own site’s design, colors, and navigation. Just make sure the actual resume PDF is formatted professionally on its own without relying on external site styles.
How to add your resume PDF to your website
- Upload your resume PDF to your website using FTP or your content management system.
- Link to the PDF file using HTML:
<a href="resume.pdf">Download My Resume</a>
- Style the link on your site using CSS to customize colors, fonts, etc.
- Place the resume link prominently on your site’s About Page or Contact Page.
- Always test the link to make sure the file downloads properly.
Using a resume distribution service
There are also dedicated resume distribution services that allow you to upload your resume once and share it securely with recruiters and employers.
These sites function similarly to file sharing services but are optimized specifically for resumes. Typically, you upload your resume then receive a personal URL to include on applications.
Some examples of top resume distribution services include:
Service | Key Features |
---|---|
VisualCV | Unlimited resume URLs, customizable online resume, analytics |
Resumonk | Download tracking, schedule downloads, custom URLs |
Rezi | Auto-sync with LinkedIn, shareable public profile |
The benefit of these sites is they provide more options to manage, update, and track your resume shares and downloads. The URL also looks more clean and professional.
When using resume distribution sites
- Choose a reputable site that won’t overload the employer with ads
- Check that they allow unlimited and customizable URL
- Only share the URL when you know the resume is current
- Update the resume online whenever you need to make changes
Avoid linking to large platforms
There are a few common resume URL mistakes you’ll want to avoid when sharing online:
- Linking your Google search results – this just links to the search, not your actual resume
- Uploading to platforms like Facebook that aren’t designed for resumes
- Using a general website URL without specifically linking the resume file itself
- Including URL shorteners instead of the actual resume link
These may seem like quick options, but they end up confusing the employer on where to actually find your resume. The URL also loses any branding and credibility for your application.
Conclusion
Providing your resume URL can make the application process quicker and easier for many employers. Just be sure to use a professional, branded resume website or service specialized for resumes.
A dedicated resume link tells employers you are tech-savvy while still letting you control the presentation of your qualifications. Take the time to customize the domain, branding, and formatting to make the resume truly your own. This will leave a positive impression and allow your skills to shine through.