7 Tips on Adding Hyperlinks in Resumes for Applications
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7 Tips on Adding Hyperlinks in Resumes for Applications
Landing the job of your dreams starts with how well you present yourself on paper. If there's a position you're really hoping to get, you need to amp up your resume and make sure it's exactly what the hiring company is looking for.
One of the ways to do this is to include hyperlinks in resumes. Most modern job applications are online, which means you submit a digital file instead of a paper resume.
Hyperlinks are a way to enhance your resume and help your potential employer get to know you better. Here are some tips for how to work those links in seamlessly.
1. Research
If you're applying for an academic job, it often requires evidence of your research and publishing. The best resume length is one page, but you can submit a CV or a resume with a second page that lists all your published works (or at least the most recent ones).
A great way to help your potential new employer access your work is including hyperlinks to samples of those articles. Some may be behind a paywall, like with library collections like JSTOR. Chances are your future employer has subscriptions to those, but you can keep PDFs of your work on your own website.
Link to your own website on the CV. If necessary to navigate publishing rights, you may want to keep certain works behind some login credentials, which you can provide to your potential employer.
2. Your Website
Even if you're not including your own articles on your website, if you have a professional website it's a good idea to link to it. Often these are your first and last names followed by ".com", but it can be any site you've curated to help you find gainful employment.
These sites can feature letters of recommendation, skills training certificates, and other supplemental documents that future employers may want to know. Include professional photos you feel are relevant, too.
3. Hyperlinks in Resumes: Your Portfolio
Your portfolio may include many types of media, depending on the job you're applying for. Whether it's videos, photos, other art, or written pieces, you can include links to each example of your work.
Find a way to present the pieces in an organized, professional manner. This could be all on your personal website, as mentioned above, or it could be on a resume or CV with individual links provided. If you've been featured in exhibits, you might include links to those websites.
Keep in mind if you're featuring these pieces on your own site, you need to find a web host that allows you to demonstrate your skills in the most flattering way. Many websites look pretty at first, but they're insanely slow or buggy. Try out a few or read lots of reviews before you choose one to put all your energy into.
4. Email
You can hyperlink your email address if you want to make it easy for someone to contact you. While it's not necessary to include the "mailto:" link, it can make it easier for potential employers who want to reach out.
It can also be frustrating for the person reading the file if they don't have their mail applications set up. If they click on it, they'll have to copy and paste the email address into a new email draft. However, this won't be a new irritation if they have to do it every time they want to send an email, so it's probably worth the risk.
5. LinkedIn Page
Include a link to your profile on LinkedIn. This social media site is for professionals who are looking to network. You can keep track of your work history, education, professional training, and connections you make all on one site.
For more about how to maximize your use of your LinkedIn profile, check out these tips. Once it's updated and ready, include a link to your profile on your resume. Then whoever you send your resume to can see an expanded version, as well as other details that won't fit on one sheet of paper.
6. Other Social Sites
You may or may not want to link to your other social profiles, like Instagram and Facebook. Transparency is valued at some companies.
Yet if you don't know what the company culture is like, it may be better to leave these links off your resume. You can get a feel for this if you know someone who works there or if there are clues on their website.
Consider the content of your profiles. Do you have many unprofessional photos, or will following you give your employer a great idea into your personality and hobbies?
The number of hyperlinks you include doesn't matter if they're all relevant. So if your social pages are appropriate, feel free to link to them.
7. Notes About Linking
Make sure that the font you're using makes hyperlinks visible. You don't want people accidentally clicking on things or being confused. While style points are important on a resume, it's far more important that the information is clear.
If possible, make sure each hyperlink is underlined and a different color. This is fairly standard formatting across the web, and it will make it easier to understand that you've included links.
One of the best places to put links is the header. It's right at the top so it will get a lot of attention, and your future employer won't have to hunt around. You'll also want to include links on a second page if you're linking to portfolio pieces, research, and other articles.
All these tips will set you up to clinch the application process and be invited to an interview. Now all you have to do is decide what to wear!
Earning a Place
It's easy to use hyperlinks in resumes when you start with the tips above. From a social site to a portfolio, your links will help your future employer get to know you better.
Convince them you're the right candidate for the job with well-placed hyperlinks and excellent formatting.
Did you find this article helpful? Check out the rest of our website for more on curating a great resume!