Why You Should Include a QR Code in Your Resume [+Tips To Know]

Looking for a job is a full-time job!

You’re tracking four job portals, writing personalized cold emails, and sending out your CV for every open job opportunity.

Given your hard work, you want to ensure you put the best foot forward with every application. But it feels like all this isn’t giving you the needed edge. Cue? Try throwing a resume QR Code in the mix! 

It’s a refreshing way to spice things up, helping add additional information to your resume.

Whether it’s videos, website links, or social media profiles, with QR Codes, you can showcase diverse multimedia assets that would otherwise not be possible. And you will score the brownie points that others might not 😉

Table of Contents

1. What is a resume QR Code?
2. What are the benefits of QR Codes in resumes?
3. How to make a resume QR Code
4. 4 examples of professionals who nailed QR Codes on resumes
5. Frequently asked questions

What is a resume QR Code?

A resume QR Code is a QR Code that helps you provide additional information via multimedia content—social media profile, online portfolio, or introductory video. It is a great way to utilize space in your resume while making an impression on hiring managers.

Let’s just put it this way: you have a Behance profile or a social media page that can’t fit or be linked within a one-page resume. In such cases, QR Codes come to the rescue, and help you share your creative work with a simple scan of a mobile device.

What are the benefits of QR Codes in resumes? 

Gone are the days when you could land a job by mass-applying to different companies with a cliched resume. 

Hiring managers want proof of work backed with solid portfolios and demonstrable skills—something QR Codes can facilitate. 

That’s not all; here are some other benefits of adding a QR Code to your resume:

1. Add multimedia content to resume 

Forbes says resumes outside the ideal length (400 to 600 words) are less desirable. However, you can add the essential content to your resume without taking too much space using QR Codes. 

Whether you’re a designer aiming to showcase your portfolio or an SEO expert wanting to highlight your website, you can include various elements in your resume using a QR Code. 

1. For paper resumes, you can add a QR Code that links to important documents in a drive. The hiring manager can access them without having to type URLs manually.
2. For digital resumes, you can consolidate multiple links into one QR Code (linked to a drive or a landing page) and limit the resume to one page, which is more impactful.

You can also use a QR Code to integrate video content in resumes of any format. It could be an introductory video that helps add a personalized touch and helps you stand out in a sea of templatized resumes. It is a great way to get a word in before the interviews begin!

2. See how people engage with your resume 

QR Codes offer invaluable insights through first-party data. You can easily track the number of scans, and gain action-oriented data about the engagement with your resume. 

This information clarifies which companies or hiring managers have shown interest—something impossible to know using regular resumes. 

To boost your scan rates you can add text below the QR Code giving hiring managers an idea of where it redirects them. 

For instance, a QR Code CTA such as “scan for portfolio” can garner better results than a plain resume QR Code and much better than a resume without a QR Code!  

You can even use analytics to transform your job search: use QR Code tracking and analyze scan rates to modify your resume further. You can also dedicate your follow-up efforts in the right direction and eliminate a wild goose chase. 

3. Have a competitive edge

Most hiring managers spend a few minutes assessing each application. As a hiring manager, wouldn’t you be delighted to find an applicant’s LinkedIn profile or portfolio with a simple scan rather than manually searching?

Use QR Codes as a strategic design element in your resume. You can maintain brevity while also conveying more information. By integrating QR Codes, you can ensure crucial information is readily accessible to prospective employers. 

A hiring manager would appreciate your efforts, and it might give you the competitive advantage you need. 

How to make a resume QR Code

Adding a QR Code to your resume is a simple job with the right QR Code generator. Uniqode is optimized to get your job done on the go. 

Step 1: Log-in and click “+Create,” then “QR Code”

You can find the options on the right-hand side of the dashboard. 

Step 2: Select a QR Code campaign type from the dashboard 

For instance, you might want to share your LinkedIn profile via the QR Code. Copy your profile URL and select your dashboard’s “Website” option. 

After selection, this screen will appear 👇.

Paste your URL and select “Next.” 

NOTE: you can select “Website” or “Landing Page” options to convert any URL to a QR Code.

Step 3: Customize the resume QR Code shape

Here are some customizations you can make to your QR Code: 

1. QR Code shape: Choose between a standard square QR Code or a circle QR Code
2. QR Code color: Match the QR Code to your resume’s colors (if any)
3. QR Code logo: Add your initials or Memoji to the center of the QR Code 
4. QR Code background: Select from colorful, image, or transparent QR Code background.
5. Frame and CTA: Include an attractive frame and an actionable QR Code CTA

Step 4: Download the resume QR Code in your desired format

We recommend testing the QR Code before downloading it in the desired format. 

Note that the QR Code preview on the left is real-time. It means every customization you make applies to the preview for your convenience. You can scan it to check it too! 

Once done, you can download the QR Code in PNG and JPG formats. This is best recommended for printed resumes. 

We recommend high-resolution QR Code formats such as EPS and SVG for digital resumes that may need resizing.

⚡Pro tip: Most organizations use Application Tracking Systems (ATS) to process resumes. After adding the QR Code, use Score my resume to see if your resume is ATS-friendly. 

4 examples of professionals who nailed QR Codes on resumes 

Using a resume QR Code provides a competitive advantage, especially in fields heavily steeped in technology or innovation, such as engineering or marketing. 

A software engineer could use a QR Code to link their GitHub profile to their resume. A marketer or graphic designer could add a link page to show some of their best creatives.

The list goes on. 

Let’s delve into specific ways professionals can use QR Codes on their resumes:

1. Adding introductory video

Enhance your application by including a QR Code for a brief introductory video. A video lets recruiters connect with you more personally and understand your personality and communication skills.

Source

📦 Takeaway: Add the QR Code in a prominent place on your resume with a visible CTA similar to “Watch my intro” or others. 

2. Including website link

Direct recruiters to your professional website or online portfolio through a website QR Code. 

You don’t need to write lengthy emails to recruiters and hiring managers whenever you want to share your work or professional portfolios. A simple link to your portfolio is all it takes to make a QR Code. 

Source

📦 Takeaway

• Whatever link you embed in the QR Code, don’t forget to label it clearly. 
• You can use a QR Code frame for a CTA or label the QR Code with a nearby text.
• Important: Use a dynamic QR Code to edit the link anytime after printing. If you use a static QR Code, you won’t be able to change a broken link.

3. Showcase your portfolio/body of work

Usually, hiring managers look for demonstrable expertise for the skills you’ve applied for. 

Utilize QR Codes to provide instant access to samples of your work, such as design projects, writing samples, and case studies. This allows recruiters to evaluate the quality and breadth of your expertise efficiently.

Source

📦 Takeaway

• Make viewing your proof of work easy after scanning the QR Code. Nobody wants to navigate a complex system of files to find the right content
• For instance, choose commonly-used file formats such as text (Word, PDF) and videos (MP4)

4. LinkedIn QR Code

Streamline the networking process with a QR Code linked to your LinkedIn profile. Using a LinkedIn QR Code you can ask people to directly connect with you, without performing a search on the platform. 

When added to a resume, recruiters can access your professional background, endorsements, and recommendations in one place. 

Source

📦 Takeaway

• If you embed your LinkedIn profile to a QR Code on your resume, ensure the LinkedIn account is publicly visible
• Polish your profile with a professional image, relevant by-line, portfolio, properly attributed job timeline, educational qualifications, and recommendations—before you share the resume

Once you’ve figured out the best use case for your resume QR Code, it’s time to find the best QR Code generator and get going. 

Best practices to follow while creating a resume QR Code

Now that you’ve created a resume QR Code, here are some best practices to implement before deploying:

Why choose Uniqode to create a customized resume QR Code

There are several creative ways to use a QR Code in your resume, each with benefits in different industries and professions.

Uniqode offers a hassle-free solution to create QR Codes, whether for a video, website URL, or even social media profiles. 

You can log-in to the platform for free, and access a powerful tool with a user-friendly dashboard. All you’ll need is a few clicks to create a customizable QR Code with colors, logos, and attractive frames to blend in with the elements of your professional resume. 

Try it today!

Frequently asked questions

1. Can I put my resume in a QR Code?

Yes, you can. Use Uniqode’s QR Code generator to create a QR Code linked to your resume’s online version or LinkedIn profile.

2. How do I create a QR Code for a job application?

You can easily create a QR Code for your job application using Uniqode’s QR Code generator:  

1. Log in to Uniqode’s dashboard and click “+create” and “QR Codes”
2. Select the “website” option and enter your chosen URL
3. Customize the shape and color of your QR Code based on your preference
4. Test, and download the QR Code
5. How do I create a URL for my resume?

You can create a URL for your resume by uploading it to a website, such as LinkedIn, Google Drive, or your website, and obtaining the shareable link.

• Author Details

Author Details

Himani Trivedi

Since the age of 11, Himani has enjoyed curling up with novels and encyclopedias, gorging literature and trivia like it’s her favorite dessert. This curiosity, mixed with a flair for writing, makes Himani a great SaaS writer. Outside of content marketing, Himani enjoys playing combat sports like boxing.

himani.t@uniqode.com