How To Use a QR Code on a Resume: Tips To Know

In today’s competitive job market, creating a strong resume is vital. Making it unique is equally important—and that’s where Quick Response (QR) Codes come in.

With a QR Code, you can provide a link to your online portfolio, LinkedIn profile, personal website, and more, boosting your chances of landing your dream job. So let’s take a look at how to add a resume QR Code for potential employers and the benefits of doing so.

What is a QR Code?

The amount of data stored inside a QR Code affects its appearance

A QR Code is a two-dimensional barcode connecting to data like numbers, texts, or hyperlinks. Users can scan QR Codes with their mobile devices to access the linked information.

Thanks to QR Codes’ accessibility, easy readability, and huge storage capacity, they have become immensely popular across all sorts of industries. In fact, QR Codes can hold 10 times more data than the standard UPC—a normal barcode with strips of bars and spaces and a 12-digit number. 

So QR Codes are a great way to expand on the details of your resume. The Code can direct recruiters to your resume’s extended version, a portfolio, or examples of your previous accomplishments.

Benefits of a QR Code on a resume

A QR Code can make a hiring manager’s life easier while offering you a little personal web portal. Here’s why you should consider using a QR Code on your resume:

Grant instant access to your digital profile

Hiring managers can scan your resume QR Code to instantly access your social media profile, contact information, online portfolio, and other relevant data. This is especially helpful if you have a long work history or a list of skills that you want to highlight in addition to what’s on your resume. 

It’s also useful for design or writing-focused industries where hiring managers will want to see samples of your work. 

Makes you stand out

Using QR Codes on your resume defines you as extra tech-savvy—no small enhancement for job seekers to have. Plus, it adds a little something to your resume that can help it stand out to potential employees. Memorable yet professional resumes are what land job interviews, especially if you’re in a crowded field.

Adding a QR Code on a resume makes you stand out from other job-seekers

Creates more professional branding and easier networking

Interactive resumes—those involving links, graphics, or audio-visual content—are more engaging, persuasive, and unforgettable. They also allow you to demonstrate your experiences and skills in an original and inspired way.

You can use QR Codes for networking and to strengthen your professional brand as well. Recruiters can easily access your contact info, online bio, or portfolio by scanning the QR Code, making your professional info more engaging. This engagement can lead to a more effective, memorable networking experience.

Further, regularly updating the content linked to your QR Codes boosts relevancy and interest. Use a Dynamic QR Code that allows you to adjust your content to ensure your professional brand and resume are always up-to-date.

Helps guard against mistaken identity

It’s become a common practice for hiring managers to do a quick Google search of each applicant. A Quick Response Code can help ensure they don’t find a different person with your name. QR Codes can direct your prospective employer straight to your social media accounts, contact info, work experience, online portfolio, and more.

Provides more skill details and work samples

With over 5 million job seekers across America today, relevant work samples and tailored cover letters are essential. They can help you stand out from the competition. With a QR Code, you can seamlessly share any information you want with potential employers—all in one place.

A resume QR Code is also an ideal solution if you have additional information to share, but you’re running out of space on your resume.

Allows you to track your exposure

QR Codes can connect you to professional administrative and scan-tracking tools that alert you when someone has scanned your Code. You may get a text or email notification indicating that a hiring manager or recruiter has scanned and opened your link. This will help you track interest in your resume and tweak it as needed for better results.

Examples of how professionals are using QR Codes on a resume

The use of QR Codes has increased dramatically in the last few years. Reports indicate that QR Code scanning may jump to 99.5 million by 2025. From ordering food at restaurants to getting medication information, QR Codes have become a part of our daily lives.

As a job seeker, a resume QR Code adds a blend of professionalism and creativity to your job application, increasing your chances of landing an interview. With that said, here are some clever ways to use QR Codes on your resume.

Online portfolios

Do you have work samples that are impossible to include in your resume due to limited space? Linking your portfolio with a QR Code is an ideal option. You can upload all relevant information to the web and create a QR Code that will direct recruiters to your online portfolio.  

Professional networking profiles

Adding a QR Code to your networking profiles helps to boost your credibility and network visibility. For instance, you can create a LinkedIn QR Code to showcase detailed job descriptions, recommendations, or endorsements.  

Video resumes

Video presentations can help you stand out from the competition, particularly if you’re applying for a communication or creative role. It’s not only innovative but also sparks interest, adding memorable context to your application.

Contact information or references

Anything that simplifies the hiring process will stand out (in a good way) to potential employers. For example, you can provide a vCard QR Code that allows hiring managers to save your contact information directly to their devices, streamlining communication. 

You can also link a QR Code to a landing page with client testimonials or contact information for your references.

Access to published work

If you’re applying for jobs in writing, research, or academia, a QR Code that links to your published work can be especially useful. This provides a broader picture of your skills and professional attributes and can increase your chances of getting hired.

How job seekers can add a resume QR Code for potential employers

Now that you know the importance of a resume QR Code, how do you add one to your resume to gain a competitive advantage in your job application journey? Here are essential tips on how to make a QR Code for your resume.

Choose a purpose for the QR Code

A QR Code should direct hiring managers to relevant information like an online portfolio or additional application material. Therefore, before you start creating a resume QR Code, take time to consider the following:

• Who is your target audience, and how will they likely use the Code?
  
  
• What information do you want to share with your target audience?
  
  
• What type of QR Code will best help you achieve your goals?

Whether you want to link to a portfolio or a social media profile, there is a QR Code for every purpose.

Create and design the QR Code

Create and design your QR Code with QR Code Generator. This tool allows you to choose and customize your Code to fit your exact needs. While there are a few customization options available without signing up for an account, it’s important to note that signing up comes with more features—like more detailed customization and branding options, tracking, and editing.

• Step 1: Visit www.qr-code-generator.com and select the type of Code you want to create.
  
  
• Step 2: Add the URL for the webpage you want to link, or just add the text you want the Code to display.
  
  
• Step 3: Select a color scheme for your QR Code that complements the design of your resume.
  
  
• Step 4: Add a “Scan Me” frame and a call-to-action that indicates where the QR Code will lead.
  
  
• Step 5: Download the QR Code, test it to make sure it works correctly, and then add it to your resume. Ensure the QR Code is large enough for potential employers to easily scan.  

When you create your QR Code, make sure that you customize it to fit the style of your resume. You want it to stand out in a good way—not clash with your resume design. It’s also very important to test the functionality before sharing it to make sure that it scans correctly and links to the right information. 

Place the QR Code in the right spot

Your resume QR Code will only be effective if it’s highly visible and placed in an easy-to-find spot. Ensure your prospective employer will see and scan your resume QR Code right away by placing it in a clear area where it’s easy to see but not intrusive. 

Make sure there’s plenty of white space around the Code as well to prevent any scanning issues, and choose an appropriate QR Code size. It should be about 2 cm by 2 cm (0.8 inches by 0.8 inches) when printed on standard A4-size paper.

Update your content regularly

Before sharing your resume QR Code with a prospective employer, make sure the linked information is up-to-date. 

If you have a recent accomplishment that you want to highlight, add it to your QR Code landing page. If you’ve changed your phone number or physical address, be sure to update your vCard QR Code.

With QR Code Generator PRO, you can edit your Dynamic QR Codes any time, as often as you like, including content, appearance, and type. This means potential employers will always have the updated version of your resume, all without reprinting or creating a new Code.

Maximize your resume’s potential with QR Codes

From expanding on your accomplishments to tracking your job application status, a resume QR Code offers job seekers tons of benefits. You can use it to showcase your published work, offer convenient access to your contact information, or even provide a video resume.

QR Code Generator gives you access to a wide range of resume QR Codes, from vCard QR Codes to Video QR Codes. And it gets even better—if you opt for a Dynamic QR Code, you can modify or update your resume at any time to ensure potential employers always have your latest information.

Sign up for QR Code Generator PRO today to boost your resume’s potential and make securing your next job a breeze!