7 Secrets of Writing an Online Resume

With the outbreak of security issues when it comes to personal information being online, as well as the increased use of online job boards, many job seekers may be wondering how to post their resume and information for employers to find without compromising their privacy.


Well, we found a helpful article on JobSearchSecrets.net written by Matthew Keegan, owner of CorporateFlyer.net, aiding corporate flight attendants by providing information and tips on finding employment in the industry. He points out that for security reasons online resume copy should be handled differently than a hard copy. Here are some of his suggestions for successfully posting a resume online while safeguarding your privacy:

1. Leave out certain personal information. Include your name, your city/state [or region, such as Greater New York], a contact phone number, and an email address. Keep in mind that your phone number can reveal more to people about you than you want. Featuring an unlisted phone number is best; give out your cell number only if you can reasonably expect an advantage in sharing that information publicly. Identity theft and sexual harassment are growing problems; take care that your resume encourages neither.



2. Your photograph. This is optional and not nearly as commonplace in the U.S. as it is in Europe. Still, in some fields it has become a necessity. Make sure you are photographed wearing appropriate business attire. Your picture should be cropped and in most cases be a headshot only. A JPG or PNG extension file looks much nicer than a GIF.



3. State your objective. A one sentence statement outlining what type of position you are desiring is best.



4. Work experience. Okay, now for a dilemma. Do you really want to list information about an employer online? Instead of mentioning companies by name and listing specific employment dates, why not consider substituting that information with general details such as: "Seven Year Position as a Restaurant Manager for an Exclusive Sicilian Restaurant in Manhattan." You can then follow that statement up with the usual "duties and accomplishments."
   


5. Education. List all pertinent information with or without dates. Any training that is related to the position you are seeking warrants a mention.



6. References. Only list "furnished upon request." Better yet: leave that line out as it is a "given."



7. Layout and Display. Your online copy should also feature: a border, an attractive background, a decent font [Arial or Times New Roman], font size should be 12 pt., your name should be listed in bold, and hyperlinks must be active [especially for your email address]. Incorporate "Flash" if you desire.

Remember, what you post on a resume, online or hard copy, will be quickly scanned by a hiring authority. They will decide whether or not to contact you based upon what they will read in the first ten to fifteen seconds. If you'd like more tips on how to write a resume, please see our previous post: Finding the Perfect Job: Right Resume.