There are a number of benefits to hosting your resume online. You can easily link to your resume, have access to your resume 24/7, collaborate with others about your resume, set your resume to be searchable by Google, and if you have a website, embed your resume right onto a page… and the list goes on.
Here are step-by-step instructions on how to host your resume online through Google Docs:
Instructions:
1. Go to the Google Docs page (http://docs.google.com/) and sign in. If you don’t have a Google account already, sign up for free.
2. After you’re logged in, click the Upload button.
3. Upload your resume by clicking on the Browse button and selecting your resume file.
4. Select your conversion options. We recommend converting the document to the Google Doc format, so you can make edits to your resume on Google Docs.
In addition, you will be able to publish your Google Doc to the Web, making it able to be indexed by the Google search engine, which means recruiters and hiring managers may be able to find you online!
5. Choose a destination folder within your account, and keep your sharing setting to Private.
6. Click the Start Upload button. Your file will be uploaded and converted to a Google Docs document.
7. Click the link with the title of your resume to view the document. You can now make changes to your resume, just as you would if it were open in your word processor.
8. After your resume is complete and finalized, you can choose your sharing options by clicking the Share button in the upper right corner.
You have an option at this point:
Share with a few close friends and colleagues that you trust. To do this, select the “Sharing settings…” option and enter the information for the people you want to give access to your resume. You can allow each person to view or edit your resume.
Publish to the web if you’re comfortable with your resume as-is. You can set your settings to republish automatically whenever you save changes.
At this point, your resume is published online, meaning you can embed your resume into web pages and anyone with a direct link to your resume can view it. However, if you’d like your resume indexed by Google and searchable by employers and recruiters, there is one more setting to adjust…
9. Click the Share button in the upper right corner once more. The first line item under Permissions will say “Private - Only the people listed below can access” To the right, click “Change”.
10. The “Sharing settings” box will appear. Select the "Public on the web" option, so that your resume can be indexed by Google and able to be found by employers and recruiters!
Don’t have a resume?
Google Docs also comes with a set of resume and cover letter templates for your use. Instead of clicking the Upload button, click the Create New button, and choose “From Template…” Next, choose a resume template. All you have to do is add in your information, work history, education, skills, etc. and you’re ready to go!
Next Step: Create a customized bit.ly link to your resume, so that you can more easily share and track clicks to your resume online!
Want to read more job search tips, career advice and industry trends? Sign up for our Job Search Made Simple newsletter.
