Perhaps you have considered preparing a hypertext resume for yourself. Even if this is true, more likely than not you haven't gotten around to it yet. Maybe you just haven't considered it a priority or you simply don't know how to create and use one. However, without a hypertext resume you are overlooking the incredible opportunity presented to the job seeker with Internet access. While we are definitely not recommending that job seekers rely solely on electronic resumes, we are suggesting that a hypertext resume is a basic tool that every job-hunter should have.
ADVANTAGES OF HYPERTEXT RESUMES
Availability to Employers- Your resume will remain in the marketplace 24 hours per day, 7 days a week, until you choose to remove it. Employers can view your resume at their own convenience and furthermore, it will be available internationally.
Delivery Speed - It may take several days or even weeks to mail a print resume the traditional way. On the other hand, if you find a permanent home on the Internet for your resume or even upload it as an attachment in an e-mail, it is delivered almost instantaneously.
First Impressions Count- Your hypertext resume sends a message to employers - one that is incredibly important in today's world of rapidly changing technology. When an employer looks at your hypertext resume, their first impression will be that you are both aware of and capable of using the latest cutting-edge technology.
Multimedia Capabilities- A hypertext resume offers many opportunities to include multimedia presentations that are simply not present in traditional resumes. For example, you may include a sound file, special graphics, or video. You can also include as many links as you wish, allowing the reader to click their mouse and instantly be presented with an E-mail form to contact you. You may also choose to include links to past employers, universities, or organizations you are involved with.
HOW-TO DISTRIBUTE YOUR HYPERTEXT RESUME
While it is possible to copy your hypertext resume to diskette and "snail" mail it to prospective employers, as either a replacement or supplement to a traditional resume, this is probably not the most effective means of distributing it. O.K....exactly what DO you do with a hypertext resume???
- Find a permanent home for it on the WWW. This will allow you to distribute just the URL, allowing employers and others to link to your site and read it online. Many online services and ISP's offer free web space when you subscribe to their services. If you have checked these options and still have not found a home for your resume, Distinctive Documents (http://www.distinctiveweb.com) offers web space for a nominal charge.
- Distribute your Web site address in the heading of your traditional resume, in the letterhead of correspondence, and in your e-mails to prospective employers.
- Use a signature file in all your e-mail and newsgroup postings. Make sure to include a link to your resume.
- Read and contribute to industry specific newsgroups. When you post a message, a link to your resume will be included in your signature - inviting potential employers to view it. You can search for relevant newsgroups at DejaNews (http://www.dejanews.com).
- Submit your Web site address to Internet directories and search engines. Don't forget the most popular, Yahoo (http://www.yahoo.com), they even have a category specifically for individuals resumes.
- Include your hypertext resume as an attachment when contacting potential employers by e-mail or send them a short introductory message, letting them know the URL to your resume.
- Announce your resume Web site in appropriate newsgroups, for example, alt.building.resumes, misc.jobs.resumes, or us.jobs.resumes.
