how to build your resume on indeed

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How to Put Your Resume on Indeed

How to Upload Your Resume

How to create a new resume on indeed, public vs. private resumes, how to delete your resume, apply for jobs on indeed, how employers can find you.

• Tips for Making Your Resume Pop

Image by Bailey Mariner © The Balance 2019

When you're looking for a job online, having a copy of your resume online can save you lots of time. It can also help potential employers find you, and see your skills and experience.

Indeed.com's resume service enables job seekers to upload an existing resume or create a new resume using their resume-building tool. This allows users to quickly post their resumes when applying for jobs.

Users can also make their resume visible to employers. This way, if a hiring manager sees your resume and thinks you are a good fit, he or she can reach out to you.

Learn how to use Indeed’s resume service, and how to make your resume stand out from the crowd.

First, you need to sign in to Indeed.com or create an account if you're not already registered. Then, upload your resume. Indeed recommends uploading the following file formats: Word (.doc or docx), PDF (created from a text file, not a scanned image), RTF, and TXT. Have your resume file saved in one of these file formats so that it is ready to upload from your computer.

You'll be able to edit it online once you have uploaded it. You can edit particular sections of your resume, or even add or remove sections. Indeed offers suggestions for other sections to add to your resume, ranging from “Certifications/Licenses” to “Publications” to “Awards.”

Click “View & Edit Resume” to view what the final copy of your resume will look like when employers see it. If you want to start over, simply click “Remove your resume & profile.”

You can also start from scratch and create a new resume directly on Indeed. Once you register (or sign in, if you are already registered), you can click “Build Your Resume.”

Have your  contact information ,  work history , and  education ready to enter. Indeed will ask you to fill these sections out first as a way to get started. If you don’t want to fill these out first, you can skip these sections.

You can edit particular sections of your resume, and even add or remove sections. Indeed offers suggestions for other sections to add to your resume, including “Skills,” “Awards,” and more.

Click “View & Edit Resume” to view what the final copy of your resume will look like when employers view it.

Once your resume is on Indeed, you can choose to make it “Public” or “Private.” There are benefits to both options. When you make your resume public, it is visible to anyone. Visitors to a public resume page can forward, save, or download the resume as a PDF or email you through a secure contact form. Your street address is visible only to you, and your phone number and email address are only visible when you apply for a job.

One benefit of a public resume is that hiring managers can find you and reach out to you if they think you might be right for a job. This is a good option if you are unemployed, and do not care who sees that you are job searching.

When you make your resume private, employers cannot find your resume, so they cannot contact you if they think you might be right for a job. They can only see your resume when you attach it when applying for a job. This is a good idea if you are employed, and you do not want your boss to be able to find you and see that you are job searching.

Whether or not you make your resume private, you can still download a copy of your resume for your records.

If you don't want your resume online any longer, or if you want to start with a new document, click on “Remove your resume & profile” and it will be removed from the system.

If this is the only version of your most current resume, be sure to download it before you delete it so you have a copy.

When searching  for jobs, you will see that some jobs that say “Apply with your Indeed Resume.” This means that when you click “Apply Now,” you can include your Indeed resume in the application.

If you choose to apply with a different resume, simply click “Apply with a different resume.” You can then click “Choose File” and upload the file you want to use as your resume.

If a job doesn’t have the “Apply with your Indeed Resume” link, it likely means you have to apply for the job directly on the company’s website . 

Employers looking for job candidates can search through public resumes by job title, company, education, location, or keyword. They can then download a resume as a PDF or email the job seeker through a secure contact form.

Indeed.com users can also forward resumes to colleagues or other contacts who might be interested in a particular user’s resume.

You can also choose to promote your Indeed.com resume on Facebook, LinkedIn, or Twitter. If you are comfortable making your job search public, this is a great way to increase the visibility of your resume, and use your social network to promote your job search.

Tips for Making Your Indeed.com Resume Stand Out

• Read samples. Before starting your resume, check out some sample resumes from people in your industry. Also, look at some of the public Indeed resumes . You can search by job title to get a sense of what other people in your field include in their resumes.
• Consider adding a headline or summary. Under the “Basics” section of the Indeed resume, you can include an optional headline and summary. A headline is a brief phrase that highlights what makes you stand out as a candidate. A resume summary is slightly longer – a couple of sentences or bullet points – and goes into more detail about how you might add value to a company . Consider adding one or both of these as a way to show hiring managers, at a glance, why you are a great candidate.
• Know what employers are looking for. Because you are using one resume for many jobs, you want to make sure the resume is tailored to the specific industry in which you are job searching. Make sure you know the skills and experience people in your industry are looking for in job candidates. Read some job listings on Indeed in your field to get a sense of what hiring managers want. Then, highlight relevant experiences and skills in your resume.
• Include keywords. One way to make your resume connect to your industry is to include common industry keywords . These might be words you often see in job listings in your field. For example, if you are applying for a job in marketing, you might include certain skills keywords like “SEO expert” or “analytics experience.”
• Emphasize achievements. In your descriptions of previous jobs, emphasize not simply what you did, but what you achieved. Whenever possible, quantify your achievements . For example, say how much money you helped a company make, or explain how your new filing system increased efficiency by a certain percentage. Numbers show an employer, at a glance, how you will add value to their company.
• Fill out all relevant information. Indeed provides a number of options for resume sections, including “Awards,” “Links,” “Patents,” and more. Fill out all relevant sections. For example, if you are applying for a job in academia, fill out the “Publications” section with any articles or books you have published. However, don’t fill out sections that are not relevant to your industry or your experience. If you have no military experience, for example, skip the “Military Service” section.
• Edit, edit, edit. As always, thoroughly edit your resume before uploading it for a job, making it public, or sharing it with someone. Click “View & Edit Resume” to see how it will look to an employer. Proofread the resume, and consider asking a friend or family member to look it once over as well. 

Related: Best Resume Writing Services

How do I update my resume to help land that job? Ask HR

Johnny C. Taylor Jr. tackles your human resources questions as part of a series for USA TODAY. Taylor is president and CEO of the Society for Human Resource Management, the world's largest HR professional society and author of "Reset: A Leader’s Guide to Work in an Age of Upheaval.”

Have a question? Submit it here .

Question: Since leaving a job I have had for almost a decade, I have primarily conducted my job search online. I have used the same resume design since I started working 12 years ago. Should I update my resume design to be more effective? What do you recommend for building a modern resume? – Sandra

Answer: Updating your resume design can indeed be a wise move, especially if you've been using the same format for a long time. A fresh, modern design can help your resume stand out and leave a positive impression on recruiters and hiring managers. Here’s what I recommend for building a modern resume:

◾ Clean, professional layout: Opt for a layout that’s visually appealing and easy to read. Avoid cluttered designs and overly decorative elements that may distract from your content.

◾ Font selection: Stick to standard, easy-to-read fonts such as Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman. These fonts are widely accepted and compatible with Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), ensuring your résumé is easily scannable by both humans and software.

◾ Incorporate keywords: Tailor your resume to each job application by incorporating industry-specific keywords and phrases relevant to the position. Many companies use ATS to screen résumés, so this will increase the likelihood of your resume being noticed.

◾ Organized sections: Structure your resume into clear sections, including Contact Information, Summary or Objective, Work Experience, Skills, Education and any additional relevant sections such as Certifications or Volunteer Work. This organization makes it easy for recruiters to quickly find the information they need.

◾ Summary/objective statement: Start your résumé with a summary that highlights your key qualifications and career goals. Keep it concise, focusing on what sets you apart and what you aim to achieve in your career.

◾ Accomplishment-oriented experience: When listing your work experience, focus on highlighting your accomplishments, rather than just listing job duties. Use quantifiable achievements whenever possible, to demonstrate your impact, such as increasing sales by a certain percentage or leading successful projects.

◾ Skills section: Dedicate a section to showcasing your key skills and competencies, including both technical skills and soft skills relevant to the job. This section provides recruiters with a quick overview of your capabilities.

◾ Proofreading: Before submitting your resume, thoroughly proofread it to ensure there are no grammatical errors, typos, or formatting issues. Consider having someone else review your resume for feedback and additional insights.

By updating your resuméewith a modern design and incorporating these key elements, you can increase your chances of making a strong impression in today’s competitive job market. Good luck with your job search!

Ghosting a job Is it bad to ghost low priority potential employers? Ask HR

I've been denied PTO requests on multiple occasions, which is becoming increasingly frustrating. Most of them are denied on the grounds of staffing needs. Do I have any recourse in fighting these denials? What can I do to ensure PTO approvals? – Chanette

You may indeed have some recourse in addressing these denied paid time off requests. Start by reviewing your company's PTO policy and procedures. Many employers have specific guidelines regarding PTO requests, including deadlines for submission and limits on the number of employees who can be on leave simultaneously, to ensure adequate staffing levels.

First, check if your PTO requests were made in accordance with company policy. If they were not, ensure that you adhere to the established procedures for future requests, to increase the likelihood of approval.

However, if you followed company policy and your requests were still denied, consider discussing the matter with your manager or the human resources team. Seek clarification on the reasons for the denials and inquire about potential strategies to improve the approval rate for your requests.

It's also essential to consider whether your state mandates sick leave, and if your company uses PTO to fulfill those requirements. If so, your employer may be obligated to approve leave requests that align with qualifying reasons for sick leave under the law. If you’re uncertain about your state’s sick leave requirements, consult your HR team for clarification.

Ultimately, unless there is a contractual agreement or policy stating otherwise, employers typically have discretion in managing PTO usage. However, by following company procedures and addressing your concerns with management or HR, you may increase the likelihood of having your PTO requests approved more frequently.

Salaried, nonexempt What does that mean? Ask HR

More From Forbes

Resume hack to land a new job: highlight your unique value.

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Use the value formula when updating your resume.

With nearly 1.1 million graduates entering the workforce in less than a month, standing out with a resume that reflects your unique strengths and transferable skills is more critical than ever. A new survey from the National Association of Colleges and Employers found that employers expect a 1.9% dip in hiring compared to last year.

Whether you’re a graduate, a professional seeking a career change or a mid-career expert aiming to pivot, this resume hack helps you highlight the value you bring to the table.

How do you make your resume an outlier? Present yourself as having a unique value.

The Value Formula For Your Resume

Create a compelling resume with the value formula: [Skill] + [Achievement/Result] + [Impact] = Value.

This formula helps you convey what you did, how well you did it and what effect it had.

• Skill: Start with a concrete skill or responsibility you had in a role.
• Achievement and Result: Add a specific achievement or result you attained by applying this skill.
• Impact: Finish by tying this achievement to its broader impact on your team, project, or company.

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For instance, if your role involved leading a project team, your entry could look something like this:

• Skill: Project Management
• Achievement and Result: Led a team of 12 in the successful delivery of a key project three weeks ahead of schedule.
• Impact: This early delivery allowed the company to commence with the next phase sooner than planned, ultimately speeding up product launch by a month and potentially increasing market competitiveness.

By structuring your experiences using the value formula, you make it easier for employers to see your direct contributions and the tangible benefits they brought to your past employers. This approach highlights your skills and achievements and demonstrates your potential value to a prospective employer.

Your Unique Value

Conduct an in-depth self-assessment to find your unique value in a saturated market. Reflect on your passions, the projects you’ve found most rewarding, and the skills that set you apart from your peers.

This formula involves identifying your core competencies, achievements and personal brand. Ask yourself questions like, “What have I accomplished that I’m most proud of?” and “What skills do I have that others frequently commend?” Documenting your answers can help crystallize your unique value proposition, making it easier to articulate on your resume. This introspective approach ensures that your resume showcases your skills and experiences and conveys your individual essence, making you stand out in a crowded job market.

To succinctly capture your unique value for your resume, consider these key points:

Core Competencies

• Identify and highlight the skills that make you a standout candidate in your field. Think about what technical or soft skills you excel in that align with your career goals.

Achievements

• Focus on your accomplishments rather than just your duties. Quantify your successes with numbers, percentages or other metrics that demonstrate your impact.

Personal Brand

• Convey your personal brand by showcasing what makes you unique. This could include your work ethic, problem-solving approach or how you lead and inspire others.

Adaptability

• Use Examples: Demonstrate adaptability through specific examples of when you quickly embraced change or learned new skills.
• Include Relevant Keywords: For compatibility with ATS (Applicant Tracking System), integrate keywords related to adaptability, such as “quick learner,” “flexible” or “change management.”
• Showcase Your Projects: Include portfolio links or case studies that highlight your creativity in problem-solving or project execution.
• Qualify Your Achievements: Describe scenarios where your creative solutions led to measurable outcomes or business successes.

Transferable Skills

• Tailor Skill Descriptions: Position your skills in a way that they relate to the role you’re applying for, even if they were gained in a different industry.
• Create a Skills Section: A dedicated section for skills can enumerate both hard and soft transferable skills, making them stand out.

Depending on the industry you’re applying to, having a picture on the resume will increase your ... [+] chances of your application being seen.

Formatting Tips For Resume Clarity

Visual elements.

• Caution with Pictures: While adding a picture can make a resume stand out, it’s advisable to tailor this decision based on industry norms and attentiveness to biases. In many situations, especially where formal processes and equal opportunity laws are in place, pictures may be advised against.
• Highlight with Bullets and Headings: Bullet points can be used effectively to organize and draw attention to key accomplishments rather than responsibilities.

Focus On Your Story

• Professional Summary: Begin with a strong narrative summary that weaves your diverse experience into a compelling career story.
• Relevancy is Key: Even when choosing to focus on your story, keep your experience relevant to the position you’re aiming for.

Your resume is not just a list of jobs—it’s the story of your professional journey. Fresh graduates, career changers and even seasoned professionals have something unique to offer.

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