5 Tips to Make Your Own Resume Website This Year

Updated December 6, 20231.8k

Learn why you should have a digital resume and 5 tips to convert your resume to a website format easily.

Making Your Resume Digital With Your Own Resume Website

When you’re looking for a new job, you may wonder how you can improve your chances of catching the eye of potential employers. With so many job seekers in competition for each job, you have to make an effort to stand out from the crowd. This is where an online resume can come in handy. A resume website is a modern way to display your resume to hiring managers and recruiters and enables you to attract more attention during your job search. With the right approach, a professional online resume can even bring your dream job to you.

This guide will show you:

The pros and cons of a resume website
What to include in your online resume
Frequently asked questions about online resumes

The Pros and Cons of a Resume Website

There are positives and negatives to maintaining an online resume website. To determine if creating a digital resume is worth it for you, review the following pros and cons.

Pro: A resume website offers flexibility you don’t have with a standard resume.

A resume website offers you flexibility with layout, design, and overall look that you don’t have with your standard resume.

Pro: A resume website may help you stand out from other job seekers.

A resume website can help you stand out to hiring managers and recruiters who view thousands of job applications for every position.

Pro: A resume website gives you more opportunities to connect with potential employers.

Some hiring managers may proactively scout for talent online. By linking your online resume to LinkedIn or other online resources in your industry, you may find that you have more offers than if you conducted your job search in the standard way. You may also get job offers that are a better fit for your interests and abilities by using a resume website.

Pro: A resume website can increase your credibility in your field.

Like a portfolio, a resume website can display samples of your work and increase credibility in your field. A professional website with testimonials and links to reliable companies or individuals can enhance your reputation in the job market.

Con: Creating a resume website can be complex and time consuming.

Depending on what host you choose to use, it can be complicated to set up an online version of your resume. Getting the design and layout of your homepage just right can be tricky if you are not familiar with setting up websites.

Con: Creating a personal website can be pricey.

You may have to pay multiple fees to keep your resume on view. From hosting fees to security to maintenance, some job seekers may decide that this is not a necessary expense for their job search.

Five Tips to Make Your Own Online Resume Website

Choose a professional color scheme and layout.

To take a professional resume digital, you have to take into consideration some additional elements. A resume layout online is different from a standard resume because you can use scrolling, links, or buttons to organize your information. If you’re starting from scratch, then a resume builder may help you to build the foundation you need to create a resume website. Once you have a standard professional resume, you can expand with colors, graphics, and images.
Take advantage of the opportunity to add a headshot.

A standard resume will be at a disadvantage in the hiring process if you attach a photo. This is because many companies have policies to protect hiring managers from personal biases during the hiring process. An applicant tracking system may also discard your resume if it has a photo attached or included. On the other hand, including a profile picture on an online resume (much like you would on LinkedIn) is perfectly acceptable.
Include your contact information in an easy to find place.

A resume website can be a great place to link to related sites like LinkedIn. Or, if you don’t use social media, a resume website is also a great way to add a more personal touch to your job application and let the hiring managers get to know you better.
Showcase your skills and accomplishments.

Make your skills and accomplishments stand out even more by using links or graphic design. For example, you can use bold fonts or pictures of your certifications. For creative careers, you can include samples of your work, like an online portfolio.
Take advantage of scrolling to include more work experience.

A single-page standard resume can’t hold a candle to the space that a resume website will allow you. Take advantage of the scrolling feature to include more detailed work experience to back up your credentials. You can even include testimonials from former employers, internships, or clients for freelancers. Having more text within your resume may allow search engines to pick up keywords and make it easier for hiring managers to find you.

FAQ: Resume Website

Can I use a resume website instead of a standard resume altogether?

It is best to create a professional resume in the standard format first, and then create a resume website if you choose. Because many employers will request a standard resume, having only a resume website may put you at a disadvantage. In addition, when you go to an interview, you should bring a copy of your resume with you.

How long does it take to make a resume website?

How long your resume website takes to build depends on how complex it is. You can use a hosting service that provides an easy to fill in website template to have a basic website up and running in one day. More complex sites could take longer to design.

Is a resume website different from a portfolio?

A resume website can have some similarities with portfolio, but you do not need a portfolio to create a resume website. A resume website can include information from your resume, your cover letter, and your portfolio all in one place.

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About The Author

Cindi Cervone Carlson

Cindi Cervone Carlson is a Senior Vice President for Challenger, Gray & Christmas, Inc. Cindi is responsible for developing, delivering, and implementing a dynamic, world-class organization dedicated to delivering outplacement consulting, training, support, and executive coaching. Cindi started her career at Challenger as a client who had lost her job. Over the past nine years, she has risen from an entry-level, part-time professional to Senior Vice President.