How to Share Your Resume with Employers: Best Methods in 2024
Learn the best ways to share your resume with employers. Create shareable resume links, track views, and make a professional impression.
Sending your resume the right way can make or break your job application. Email attachments get lost, Google Drive links look unprofessional, and recruiters are overwhelmed with files. Here's how to share your resume like a pro.
The Problem with Traditional Resume Sharing
Email Attachments
Most job seekers attach their resume directly to emails. Problems:
- Gets buried - Recruiters receive hundreds of attachments daily
- File size issues - Corporate email systems reject large files
- No tracking - You never know if they opened it
- Formatting breaks - Different PDF viewers render differently
Google Drive Links
Better than attachments, but still problematic:
- Requires Google account to view sometimes
- Long ugly URLs -
docs.google.com/document/d/1aBcD3fG... - Permission issues - "Request access" errors frustrate recruiters
- Unprofessional appearance - Shows you're using free personal tools
Dropbox/OneDrive Links
Similar issues to Google Drive, plus:
- Cluttered interface - Your resume sits among other files
- Download prompts - Forces recipients to download instead of view
- Corporate firewalls - Some companies block cloud storage sites
The Best Way: Shareable Resume Links
A dedicated resume link solves all these problems:
Example: your-name-resume.linkyhost.com
Why This Works Better
- Professional appearance - Clean, branded URL
- Instant viewing - Opens directly in browser, no download needed
- Track views - Know exactly when someone opens your resume
- Always accessible - No permission issues or access requests
- Easy to update - Change the file, keep the same link
- Works everywhere - Email, LinkedIn, job boards, QR codes
How to Create a Resume Link
Method 1: Using LinkyHost (Recommended)
The fastest way to create a professional resume link:
- Go to LinkyHost Resume Link Generator
- Upload your resume PDF
- Get your custom link (e.g.,
john-smith-resume.linkyhost.com) - Share anywhere
Time required: 30 seconds
What you get:
- Custom subdomain with your name
- View tracking and analytics
- Mobile-friendly viewing
- No signup required for basic use
Method 2: Personal Website
If you have a personal website:
- Upload resume PDF to your hosting
- Create a clean URL like
yoursite.com/resume - Link to it from your homepage
Pros: Full control, professional branding Cons: Requires web hosting knowledge, no tracking
Method 3: LinkedIn PDF
LinkedIn lets you add media to your profile:
- Go to your LinkedIn profile
- Click "Add profile section" > "Featured"
- Upload your resume PDF
Pros: Visible to recruiters browsing LinkedIn Cons: Only works on LinkedIn, no direct link
Where to Use Your Resume Link
In Email Applications
Subject: Application for [Position] - [Your Name]
Dear Hiring Manager,
I am excited to apply for the [Position] role at [Company].
Please find my resume here: [Your Resume Link]
[Rest of your cover letter]
Best regards,
[Your Name]
Why this works: Cleaner than attachments, shows technical competence, easy for recruiters to click.
On LinkedIn
Add your resume link to:
- Contact Info section - Under "Websites"
- Featured section - As an external link
- About section - Mention "Resume: [link]"
- Messages - When reaching out to recruiters
In Job Applications
Many job application forms ask for a "portfolio link" or "website." Your resume link works perfectly here:
- ATS systems can process the link
- Recruiters can view immediately
- No file upload size limits
On Business Cards
Include your resume link on your business card:
John Smith
Software Engineer
john-smith.linkyhost.com/resume
Or generate a QR code using File to QR Code that links directly to your resume.
At Career Fairs
Instead of handing out paper resumes:
- Create a QR code for your resume link
- Display on your phone or print on a card
- Recruiters scan and save instantly
This makes you memorable and eco-friendly.
Tracking Resume Views
One major advantage of resume links: you know when someone views it.
What You Can Track
With LinkyHost analytics, you see:
- View count - Total times your resume was opened
- Timestamps - Exactly when each view happened
- Referrers - Where traffic came from (email, LinkedIn, etc.)
- Location - General geographic area of viewers
How to Use This Information
Scenario: You applied to 10 companies last week.
Your analytics show:
- 6 views on Monday (applications sent Monday)
- 2 views on Wednesday
- 0 views from 2 companies
What this tells you:
- 8 companies at least looked at your resume
- 2 companies may have missed your application - follow up
- Wednesday viewers might be second-round reviewers
Action: Follow up with the 2 companies that didn't view, and prepare for potential interviews from the Wednesday viewers.
Resume Link Best Practices
1. Use Your Name in the URL
Good: john-smith-resume.linkyhost.com
Bad: quiet-sunset-472.linkyhost.com
If possible, customize your link to include your name. It's more professional and memorable.
2. Keep Your Resume Updated
Unlike email attachments that are sent once, your link is live. If you update your resume PDF:
- Old link still works
- Everyone sees the latest version
- No need to resend to anyone
3. Use PDF Format
Always share your resume as PDF, not Word:
- Formatting preserved - Looks the same on any device
- Professional standard - Expected by recruiters
- Read-only - Can't be accidentally edited
- Smaller file size - Loads faster
Need to convert? Use Word to PDF.
4. Optimize File Size
Large PDFs load slowly. Before uploading:
- Keep file under 2MB if possible
- Use PDF Compressor if too large
- Avoid excessive images or graphics
5. Test Your Link
Before sending to employers:
- Open in incognito/private browsing
- Test on mobile phone
- Check it loads quickly
- Verify formatting looks correct
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Mistake 1: Password-Protected PDFs
Don't add a password to your resume PDF. Recruiters won't bother entering passwords - they'll just skip to the next candidate.
Mistake 2: Using File Names as Links
Don't share links like:
drive.google.com/John_Smith_Resume_Final_v3_UPDATED.pdf
The URL reveals your revision history and looks unprofessional.
Mistake 3: Broken or Expired Links
Test your link regularly. If you used a service that expires links, your applications become useless after expiration.
LinkyHost links don't expire - your resume stays accessible.
Mistake 4: Different Resumes, Same Link
If you're tailoring resumes for different roles, use different links:
john-smith-dev.linkyhost.com- Software rolesjohn-smith-pm.linkyhost.com- Product roles
This way, tracking shows which version performs best.
Resume Link vs. Email Attachment: Comparison
| Factor | Email Attachment | Resume Link |
|---|---|---|
| File size limits | Yes (10-25MB) | No |
| View tracking | No | Yes |
| Professional look | Standard | Modern |
| Update after sending | No | Yes |
| Mobile friendly | Varies | Yes |
| ATS compatible | Yes | Yes |
| Load speed | Depends | Fast |
| Access issues | Sometimes | Rare |
For Recruiters: Why Candidates Use Resume Links
If you're a recruiter reading this, here's why you're seeing more resume links:
- Candidates can track engagement - They know if you viewed
- Easier to update - No "v2" or "final_final" versions
- Works across platforms - LinkedIn, email, ATS
- More professional - Shows technical competence
Resume links are the new standard. Expect to see more of them.
Related Tools
- Resume Link Generator - Create your link
- PDF Compressor - Optimize file size
- Word to PDF - Convert your resume
- File to QR Code - Generate QR codes
- CV Link Generator - For CV format
Related Guides
Summary
Stop attaching resumes to emails. Create a professional resume link:
- Upload your resume to LinkyHost
- Get a clean, professional URL
- Share in emails, LinkedIn, job applications
- Track who views your resume and when
- Update anytime without resending
Your resume deserves better than an email attachment. Make it accessible, trackable, and professional with a dedicated link.