Just assume you have an interview today. You walk into the office with a neat paper resume in your hand. On your end, you feel completely ready.
As you enter the room, you sit in the chair and start the interview. You did very well during the whole interview. But then the interviewer suddenly asks you to send a digital copy of your resume.
This is a common moment today. A paper resume still has value, but today, a digital resume is mostly preferred. This is because a digital copy makes it easier to share your details with employers, recruiters, and others.
However, not all digital resumes work in the same way. Sometimes, you only need to turn your paper resume into a simple digital file. In other cases, you may want an editable version that you can update anytime.
So, how do you do that? Let’s take a look at both.
Instant Way to Digitize and Share Your Paper Resume
Digitizing a paper resume can be done in two ways.
- Non-editable, non-searchable digital version
- Editable & searchable digital version
Here’s how you can create both.
1. Creating a Non-Editable & Non-Searchable Version
If you want to digitize your paper resume as-is and make no changes, use this method. A PDF is the perfect file type for this. To digitize it, take a clear image of your resume and convert it to a PDF.
Preferably, use a high-quality PNG for the image. Then convert PNG to a PDF using an online tool. You can do this easily on your smartphone, laptop, or PC. But remember, this PDF will contain only the image; the text will remain unsearchable.
After conversion, you must check the quality. Your resume should be clean and clear to read in the PDF. If it is good, share it with the interviewer using a suitable method (email preferred).
2. Creating an Editable & Searchable Version
This is the preferred method if you plan to digitize a paper resume. Because you get an editable version, you can make changes whenever you want, with little effort.
To create an editable digital version, first take a picture of your resume. Then extract text from image using an image-to-text tool. Make sure to use the tool that offers to download the text in Word (DOCX) format. Some tested options you can consider are imagetotext.me, imagetotextconverter.net, and ocronline.io.
Once you extract the text, download it as a DOCX file. Next, open the file containing the extracted text. Now you just need to format your resume, which you can do in minutes.
Many online image-to-text tools also offer to download the extracted text as a PDF. But this PDF will be different from the one we mentioned creating in the previous method. This one will contain the text that is searchable.
The Right Way to Share a Digital Resume
Now, you know how to create a digital resume. But creating just a digital version is half the job. You also have to share it the right way. Here are some simple tips to follow while sharing a digital resume with someone.
File Format & Name
You must send the resume in the format asked by the interviewer or the employer. Mostly, PDF is asked for and is the safest choice. Still, many ask you to submit in DOC format. If so, send the DOCX version of the resume.
However, before sending, you must check and fix the file name. Do not send a file named resume123.pdf or document.pdf. Use your name with the word ‘resume’ instead.
Open the file one last time before you share it. Check that:
- All text looks clear.
- Your contact details are correct.
- No text or image gets cut off.
- The file opens without errors.
- The pages appear in the right order.
Use Email for Formal Sharing
Email works well when you send your resume directly to an employer or recruiter. Try to keep your resume file small and easy to send. If the file is too large, compress the file size before sharing, but make sure the resume stays clear and easy to read.
Keep the email body short and clear. Mention why you are contacting them and attach your resume. Also, check the email address before you click send. A small mistake here can send your resume to the wrong person.
Use a Shareable Link
Sometimes, you may need to share your resume through a link. This can help when a website does not allow file uploads or when you want to share your resume quickly.
You can create a QR code for your resume. This lets people scan the code with their phone and open your digital resume quickly.
Just make sure the link works before sending it. Also, check the access settings so the person can actually open the file.
Final Talk
A paper resume does not have to stay on paper. With a clear photo and the right online tool, you can turn it into a digital file in just a few steps.
Use either of the two methods we discussed in this post to digitize your resume. If you only need a copy of your resume, turn the image into a PDF. But if you want to edit the resume later, use an image-to-text tool and save the text as a DOCX file.
