An Innovative Way to Build An Online Resume: Hint, Your Blog Can Help

Kami, I think Bryan’s resume is a new and refreshing way of presenting himself to future employers. It does allow him to encompass an actual display of his accomplishments instead of the traditional resume approach of just listing them on a piece of paper. It also sets him apart from other applicants by giving him the freedom to design his resume according to his own tastes. In doing this, he accomplishes two tasks, he still provides employers with the information that traditional resumes contain, but he also incorporates his personality into the resume through its creativity and uniqueness. Although employers are still stuck on presenting them with the traditional paper resume, I think as time goes on and more and more people begin utilizing social media networks, this online resume is going to gain the popularity it deserves in the near future.

I think this is an awesome idea. We’re currently working on digital resumes in a Style & Design class, and it’s really exciting. It’ allows you to do so much more than the typical list of accomplishments and skills that usually only warrants a passing glance. There is no way to look at a resume like this and not want to explore the entire thing. Bryan is actually showing you what he can do at the same time he’s describing it, which is much more impressive, in my opinion. The ability to create a digital resume is definitely something that is going to be very important, and sooner rather than later.

Bryan’s resume is a VERY effective way to present all of his accomplishments. I found myself wanting to click on every link that I saw! For someone wanting to get into the social media realm of work, this would provide a much easier way for convincing future employers.

For me personally, it seems like you need to know your potential employer. If you’re wanting to get a job somewhere that isn’t very computer savvy (I’m pretty sure they still exist…), I don’t think that it would be in your best interest to create one of these resumes. While these are very creative and innovative resumes, they may not be for everyone. Kami, do you think that for employers who have not climbed aboard the social media train this would come off as intimidating? Or do ALL employers look for something that is extremely out-of-the-box?

Traditional resumes always seemed surface level to me. I never really understood how employers could truly get to know their applicants through so little information. I think that it is a fair assumption that digital resumes are going to be a large part of the future and that many people wil turn to it as an alternative. I think it not only provides a more accurate view of the applicant, but it also cuts out a lot of clutter for the employer. I would think that employers would find it easier to be able to find a lot of information about one applicant in one simple spot. I know that I will definitely use the digital resume in the future.

I think a digital resume is an awesome idea! I think it really lets employers see exactly what you can do and and what you’re interested in (in Bryan’s case-social media). My digital resume will have aspects of social media in combination with traditional writing such as feature stories. I think a digital resume is so much more interesting than a regular paper resume. Sometimes it is hard to fit everything you want an employer to know about you on 1-2 pages. Digital resumes let employers see applicants for their skills and not just words on a piece of paper.

I think the picture is a neat idea. If that’s how you want to present yourself, then I think you should do so in a manner you can be proud of. Regardless to how others may feel about the display of your resume, you should do whatever pleases your eye and what represents you in the best way. If you do that, the right job will come along, and everything will fall into place.

In one of my classes, I am creating a digital resume. As part of my resume, I want people to get to know me as a person and not just the skills I have obtained. It will include photos of my daily activities, as well as a portfolio of written works that display different concepts and personalities. I will believe this will show diversity.

The bottom line is to do what makes you proud because if you can’t be proud of it, then no one else will.

Traditional resumes leave a lot to be desired. I am sure to many employers they seem generic and they often run together. The idea of a digital resume is innovative and will set you a part from the rest of the crowd. I will be thrilled at the end of the semester when I have a digital resume, honestly, I will probably be more thrilled that it is the end of the semester, but that is beside the point. My only concern with having a digital resume is that I do not want to build websites, ever. Social media is growing on me and I am starting to have a small grasp on it, but I still don’t love it by any means. I plan on using my digital resume when applying for PR jobs, but my only concern is I don’t want to be hired based solely on being able to design a website because I would be miserable making websites for the rest of my life!

I am excited to be creating a digital resume. Everyone that I tell, including career counselors, are so impressed by it. I hope that it truly does make me stand out once I begin looking for jobs. I am however, keeping a hard copy of my resume and portfolio as well. It has been fun being able to put that personalized creative touch on something that can seem so boring and monotonous to employers.

As students speedily approaching graduation, I know we are all looking for ways to stand out to potential employers. I once heard of a guy who was a Web site designer and instead of sending his potential employer a resume, he simply sent a T-shirt with his Web site written on it. The employer was naturally curious and visited the site to find a portfolio of all of the applicant’s work. Supposedly he got the job. It’s that kind of out-of-the-box thinking that would make me want to hire someone, so I like the idea of being creative to show off my talent and personality to a potential employer.

Kami, to answer your last question…I personally hate the idea of a resume. It only answers questions that can be addressed in a formal interview. I, like you said, would rather prefer to send off a running portfolio, which more accurately displays my abilities.

I think the whole concept of the online resume makes the individual look so much more intelligent. It takes skill to create such a work, and the things found on the online resume show the individual’s ability to go that step further. Paper resumes can only show the basic things the individual have accomplished, but the online resume puts a spin on things. It allows the individual to be creative and show personality.

In paper resumes one can only give what is asked of him/her, but with a online resume the individual can make it his/her own. It gives one a chance to tell employers what they want them to know. After writing this it actually makes me appreciate the one I’m creating even more.

I think that having an online resume as well as a print resumes is a versatile way to reach your potential employers. But an online resume gives you the ability to physically show what you can do in social media. This is unique tactic because social media is becoming so prevalent in PR, and having an online resume may give us a leg up on being hired.

The advantages seem to exceed the downfalls with this. An online resume allows people to not only read about the skills you have accomplished through classes like Style and Design, but see it for themselves. You can attach a link to your blog, show interaction you have had with other practitioners, etc. It is a good way to stand out as well as show your personal style in your work.

The idea of a digital portfolio is much more amusing to me. I can make my portfolio mine by adding personal touches and I can actually show proof of my work in my portfolio. Is it not more interesting for a future employer to see your work in a digital portfolio than to read about it on a piece of paper that is likely to blend in with the others stacked on his/her desk?

I have always dreaded writing and updating my resume. It is difficult to come to terms with the fact that I can summarize all of my experience and accomplishments on one piece of paper that probably looks like a million other people’s. I am now in a stage in my life where I am interviewing for internships and sending out my resume. I have taken classes on how to write a resume and I am still left wondering if mine is good enough. How do you make a paper resume stand out while conforming to the rules of resume writing?

Calling it a digital portfolio makes more sense. Not only is it helpful for future employers, it will help us market ourselves and put our best foot forward.

Bryan’s portfolio intrigued me–it easily kept my attention, and I’m not even looking to hire anyone. Surely those who are get hooked and impressed by the aspects of the digital portfolio.

I’m OK with still having paper resumes. It’s understandable that not all who are hiring understand social media to such a degree. My paper resume won’t need a great deal of updating, so I can put all my energy into my digital portfolio.

The either/or issue with digital resumes was discussed much earlier, but it really jumped out at me. I don’t think it has to be strcitly paper or digital. Certainly, there are some companies that will only accept resumes in a standard paper format, but it can’t hurt to have the digital resume as well.

As far as the idea about companies that are not computer saavy, I feel like this would be the perfect time to have some sort of digital portfolio. It’s a well known fact that all businesses are going to have to step into the digital age, whether they like it or not. For those who haven’t made that transition yet, I think someone with this new kind of resume would be an ideal hire. Does anyone else agree, or do you think it really could scare off a possible employer?

Because of technological innovations, it only makes sense to create a personal online portfolio and resume. Not only is it creative and more interesting read, it prepares you with HTML and design skills, which is ultimately more attractive to future employers.

It can be confusing and complicated, but once you get the hang of it, it just becomes second nature. We have been learning all the aspects that go into making a personalized digital resume and portfolio throughout this semester. It’s a lot to take in, but I am excited to see the finished project.

I agree with you Josh. I think that this is the right time to present digital resumes digital resumes to employers because I feel like we are ahead of other entry level PR practitioners who have not learned how to do this yet. I think that as our society becomes more driven by technology, digital resumes and portfolios will be more common in the future. I don’t think that a digital resume would scare off an employer, but I think it would give the employer incentive to take a closer look at you as a potential employee.