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.

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?

And today the paper resume may not even be paper. Some employers will force you to fill out their online form, making you conform to their standards and format. Form these they will search for candidates using a keyword algorithm. Very impersonal, but true.

But I will make an attempt at your question. What makes a resume stand out, paper or digital, is results-driven language and examples.

For instance, instead of saying,

Served as media intern, responsible for making calls to various reporters;

say,

Executed three media campaigns that resulted in coverage in over 20 small and large business publications.

Do you see the difference? With that one data point, which person would you hire?

Look to communicate the results that you helped to achieve, money saved, # of volunteers recruited, etc.

Also, personalizing your resume for each job for which you apply helps. I usually would look at the language in the posting and make sure mine used some of that language. It also helps with those resumes that have to be submitted via online form.

I’ll stop there since this is turning into a post, lol.

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.

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?

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.

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.

Alana; I am glad you like the portfolio idea. I fear that most employers will still require paper for awhile, unless they have an online form that restricts you to their format (so that they can search for key words with their automated systems, but that is another post). Still, I think the online version is a great compliment and something they will happily look at once they are considering you for a job.

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.