QR Codes on Resumes: A Smart Move or a Risky Trend?

A uniquely designed resume that contains information in a way different than others can catch the eye of the HR manager. It can give you a better chance of getting an interview call. Making your resume different is one of the quickest ways of making it interesting (provided that it is done right).

One of the things that you can do to make your resume different is adding a QR code to it.

Adding a QR code to a resume or CV has its advantages and disadvantages. Some people think of it as a smart and “maverick” move, showing a flair for innovation and unconventional thinking. For others, it can be risky and simply not worth the effort.

In this post, we will weigh the pros and cons of adding QR codes to resumes. By the end of it, you will be able to decide whether it is advisable or not. Let’s get started.

A Brief Catch-Up on QR Codes

What exactly are QR codes?

A QR code is a square-shaped code that includes a number of smaller black-and-white squares in a unique arrangement. These codes are scannable using special software. People can easily scan QR codes using online tools or apps that are present by default on mobile phones.

QR codes contain different types of information. Some QR codes can simply show text upon being scanned. Some can open a webpage and redirect the user to it.

Here is what a QR code looks like: (Don’t worry; you can scan it if you want. It goes to Wikipedia.) 

What is the Practical Use of QR Codes in a Resume?

Now, let’s talk a little about how these codes can be used in a resume.

QR codes can be used to contain information that is either too lengthy to include in the resume or is in a format that cannot be put on paper or a Word/PDF file.

Here are some examples of how a QR code can be used in a resume:

• For linking to a portfolio project or website

• For linking to a LinkedIn profile or any other online account germane to the job role

• For linking to additional contact information

• For linking to a bigger and more detailed resume

• For linking to a testimonial or a review

And so on.

You can create a QR code for any of these resources by using a QR code generator. Then, the QR code can be added as an image to the resume.

Are QR Codes a Smart Move or a Risky Trend?

Now let’s get to the main part of this blog: looking at the pros and cons of using QR codes.

Here is a brief overview of them so that you can get a quick glimpse of what we’re about to elaborate on:

Benefits and Upsides of QR Codes

Here are the benefits and pros of using QR codes in a resume:

1. It can look aesthetic, interesting, and engaging

One of the major benefits of adding a QR code to your resume/CV is that it looks aesthetic and engaging. If your recruiter is rifling through hundreds of resumes and they come across yours with a prominent QR code on it, it can grab their attention. Once their attention is grabbed, they can move on to look at the rest of your resume, which can lead them to shortlist you.

2. It can show that you’ve put work into your resume

Another benefit of adding QR codes in a resume is that it shows you’ve put in an effort in your resume instead of just using a pre-made template. Creating a QR code for a URL and then adjusting it in a resume, along with all of the other sections, takes time. The recruiter can appreciate the work you put in, and it can bring you into their good books. 

3. It can be a helpful way for your recruiter to discover information relevant to your job application

Instead of giving the recruiter a URL in the resume that they have to copy-paste (which is something they can’t do if the resume happens to be in a hard copy), making use of a QR code can be better because it makes things easier for them.

They can simply pick their phone up, even during the interview, and scan the code to see what you want them to see. It can save them time and effort. It can also show them that, even before getting hired, you have a knack for efficiency. 

4. It can be a great way to keep your resume short but also valuable

A long and lengthy resume spanning a few pages doesn’t always leave the best impression. If you have a lot of experience, certifications, degrees, references, etc., then it makes sense to have a big CV, but otherwise, being short and sweet does the trick.

That is what a QR code can help you with. It can help you keep the resume compact and short. At the same time, by linking to other resources, the QR code can make the resume valuable as well.

Downsides and Cons of QR Codes

Here are the downsides of using QR codes in resumes.

1. They are only useful if the resume is in hard form

Nowadays, a lot of recruiters and HR managers look at applicants’ resumes on either their computers or their phones/tablets, etc. A lot of times, the resume is not printed unless the person happens to be short-listed.

Unless your resume is in hard form, your QR code won’t really be helpful to the recruiter. They would have to first take a screenshot of the resume, crop out the code, and then put it through a QR scanner, etc. They could, of course, take those steps, but it is not very likely. 

2. Many times, recruiters can skip the codes

Even when they are in hard form, resumes can get skimmed over by the recruiter. Recruiters don’t spend a lot of time looking at resumes, especially when there are a lot of them. According to Standout CV, a resume is looked at for about 6 to 8 seconds before it is either shortlisted or discarded.

Keeping that in mind, it is reasonable to assume that even when they are added ideally, QR codes can be skipped by the recruiters.

3. Some recruiters can perceive the QR codes to be valueless

While younger and tech-savvy recruiters may appreciate the QR codes on your resume, older experts may find it superfluous and unnecessary. They may even perceive it as an over-effort to hide or compensate for an unsavory section of your CV.

Conclusion

By weighing the pros and cons of QR codes in resumes, we can come to the following conclusion:

Adding QR codes in resumes is basically a gamble. It can be appreciated by the HR manager and pay off. Or, it can be taken negatively and harm your chances of being selected for the role.

The best approach, in this case, is to make your resume self-sufficient even without the QR code and then add the code for additional value. This way, even if your QR code is not appreciated, your resume can have enough information to win the HR manager over. And if the code is taken warmly, then it’s a win-win situation.