How to Use QR Codes on Resumes (+ Why You Should)

Ask anyone in the middle of a job search, and you’ll hear the same thing: the job market is tough right now. Competition is fierce, expectations are high, and with AI reshaping everything from resumes to interviews, it’s harder than ever to stand out.

If you’re aiming for your dream job, your resume needs to do more than just check boxes—it needs to show what makes you different.

QR Codes on resumes can help. With a quick scan, hiring managers can view your portfolio, check out your LinkedIn profile, watch a video intro, or access work samples that go beyond a bullet list.

In this guide, we’ll cover the pros and cons, share real examples, and show you how to confidently add a QR Code to your resume.

*Note: The brands and examples discussed below were found during our online research for this article.

What is a QR Code?

A QR Code is a two-dimensional barcode connecting to data like numbers, texts, or hyperlinks. Users can scan QR Codes with their mobile devices to access the linked information.

Thanks to QR Codes’ accessibility, easy readability, and huge storage capacity, they have become immensely popular across all sorts of industries. In fact, QR Codes can hold 10 times more data than the standard UPC—a normal barcode with strips of bars and spaces and a 12-digit number. 

So QR Codes are a great way to expand on the details of your resume. The Code can direct recruiters to your resume’s extended version, a portfolio, or examples of your previous accomplishments.

The amount of data stored inside a QR Code affects its appearance

Should you use QR Codes on resumes?

QR Codes are designed to enhance your resume by offering more content, better connection points, and even helpful feedback during your job search. In many cases, they can give recruiters quicker access to the materials that set you apart. 

That said, QR Codes aren’t the right fit for every situation. We’ll explore where they shine, where they don’t, and how to use them effectively, even when they can’t go directly on your resume

Benefits

A well-placed QR Code can make a hiring manager’s job easier while giving you a personal web portal that showcases more than what fits on a page. At its best, it adds value for both sides of the hiring process. 

Let’s start with the hiring manager’s perspective. With 7.2 million job seekers in the U.S. and dozens or even hundreds of applicants per role, recruiters need efficient ways to identify strong candidates quickly.

A QR Code on your resume can link directly to your LinkedIn profile, online portfolio, samples of your work, or up-to-date contact information. It’s a great way to showcase additional information without cluttering your layout, and as an added bonus, it shows that you’re tech-savvy, adaptable, and capable of using modern tools.

Adding a QR Code on a resume makes you stand out from other job-seekers

Even if you don’t get the job, pointing hiring managers to your LinkedIn can help grow your network. And if your QR Code links to a portfolio, you can keep it updated without having to resubmit your resume every time you make changes.

Drawbacks

While QR Codes are incredibly versatile—you can use them in nearly any resume format to share almost any type of content—they’re not always the right fit for every job application. 

Some companies require candidates to submit resumes through strict online portals that only accept plain text or specific file formats. These systems might use applicant tracking systems (ATS) or automated screening tools that don’t recognize QR Codes at all.

In these cases, you don’t have to skip the QR Code entirely—you just need to place it elsewhere. You could include it in your cover letter, add it to your email signature when communicating with hiring managers, or print it on your business cards.

Not everyone needs a QR Code either. If you’re applying to entry-level jobs or don’t have much work experience or portfolio projects to showcase, it may not add enough value to justify including one.

That said, if you do have extensive experience, credentials, or a portfolio to highlight, a QR Code can be a simple way to level up your resume. And it only takes a few minutes to create. 

Examples of how professionals are using QR Codes on a resume

QR Codes have become a regular part of daily life, from restaurant menus to prescription labels, and they’re showing up in job searches too. In fact, QR Code scanning is projected to reach 102.6 million users by 2026. 

For job seekers, adding a resume QR Code is a smart way to blend professionalism with creativity. It shows initiative, helps you stand out, and can increase your chances of landing an interview. For hiring managers, it’s a quick way to identify candidates who go the extra mile.

Here are some practical, clever ways professionals are using QR Codes to strengthen their resumes.

Online portfolios

Have work samples that don’t fit on your resume? A QR Code can link directly to your online portfolio, giving hiring managers instant access to your projects, case studies, or creative work.

Your portfolio doesn’t need to be fancy or expensive. A simple landing page or shareable folder with clear examples and short descriptions can be just as effective as a professionally created portfolio site. What matters most is that it’s easy to navigate and shows your skills in action.

Professional networking profiles

Adding a QR Code to your resume that links to your professional networking profiles can help boost both your credibility and visibility. For instance, a LinkedIn QR Code can connect hiring managers to detailed job descriptions, recommendations, endorsements, or recent updates on your LinkedIn profile. 

One major advantage of using a Dynamic QR Code is that you can update the link anytime. Want to highlight a specific LinkedIn article you wrote or point to a different platform that’s more relevant to the role? Just change the destination—no need to update your resume or create a new code.

Video resumes

A short video can help you stand out from the competition, particularly if you’re applying for a communication or creative role. It gives hiring managers a sense of your personality, presence, and style before you ever walk into an interview.

You can use a QR Code to link to a video hosted on Google Drive or Dropbox, on a simple landing page, or even on social media. Just be sure your social media profiles are safe for work and professionally appropriate before you share the link.

Contact information or references

Anything that makes life easier for potential employers is a win, and that includes how you share your contact details or references. A vCard QR Code lets hiring managers save your contact information directly to their devices with a scan.

You can also link a QR Code to a landing page with client testimonials or contact details for your references, making it simple for employers to follow up.

Access to published work

If you’re applying for roles in writing, research, or academia, a QR Code that links to your published work can be a powerful addition to your resume.

There are a couple of ways to do this. If you want to highlight a single publication, you can create a QR Code that links directly to that article. Later, you can update it to point to a newer piece.

If you have multiple publications, consider linking to a simple portfolio page that lists your work. You can include brief descriptions or excerpts to give hiring managers a quick preview of your writing style or research focus.

How job seekers can add a resume QR Code for potential employers

Ready to use a resume QR Code to make your application irresistible? Let’s look at how to actually add one to your resume in a way that’s polished, professional, and effective.

Choose a purpose for the QR Code

Before you create your resume QR Code, know what you want it to do. A good QR Code should guide hiring managers to relevant information that supports your application and adds value.

That might be your online portfolio, personal website, or additional materials like references, certifications, or writing samples.

Ask yourself: 

• Who is my target audience, and how will they likely use the code?
  
  
• What information will be most helpful to them?
  
  
• What type of QR Code best fits my goal? URL, vCard, social media, or something else?
  

Whether you want to link to a portfolio, a virtual business card, or a profile on a networking site, there’s a QR Code format that fits the job.

Create and design the QR Code

Once you’ve decided what you want to link to, it’s time to create your new QR Code using a trusted tool like QR Code Generator PRO.

You can get started for free, but signing up for an account unlocks additional features, like advanced customization, branding options, editing capabilities, and scan tracking.

Here’s how to create a resume-ready QR Code:

• Step 1: Go to QR Code Generator PRO, log in to your account, and choose the type of QR Code you want to create.
  
  
• Step 2: Depending on the type of QR Code you choose, enter the destination URL or fill out the information you want to share with your network.
  
  
• Step 3: Customize your QR Code with colors that match your resume design.
  
  
• Step 4: Add a “Scan Me” frame or clear call to action (CTA) so hiring managers know what to expect.
  
  
• Step 5: Download and test your code to make sure it scans easily and correctly.
  
  
• Step 6: Place the QR Code on your resume in a prominent, scannable spot.

Sign up for QR Code Generator PRO now to empower your job search with custom, trackable QR Codes.

Place the QR Code in the right spot

Your resume QR Code won’t do much good if it’s hard to find or tricky to scan. Placement matters, especially when you want to make a strong impression on prospective employers.

Follow these best practices to make sure your QR Code is seen and scanned:

• Leave plenty of white space around the code to improve visibility and reduce scanning issues.
  
  
• Size it appropriately—a minimum QR Code size of 2 cm x 2 cm (0.8 in x 0.8 in) works well on standard A4 paper.
  
  
• Add a brief CTA so hiring managers know what they’ll get when they scan it (something like “View my portfolio” or “Watch my intro video”).

Update your content regularly

Before sending your resume to a prospective employer, double-check that the linked content behind your QR Code is current and relevant.

Do you have a recent accomplishment to highlight? Add it to your linked landing page. Did you change your phone number or address? Make sure your vCard QR Code reflects the updates.

With a QR Code Generator PRO account, you can edit your Dynamic QR Codes anytime, adjusting the design or the linked content as needed.

Maximize your resume’s potential with QR Codes

Job searching today takes more than a polished resume. It takes creativity, adaptability, and tools that help you stand out. QR Codes make it easy to expand beyond the page, connecting hiring managers to content that truly showcases your experience and personality. 

QR Code Generator PRO gives you everything you need to make that possible. You can create and customize a code in minutes, choose from a wide range of QR Code types—from links and vCards to PDFs and videos—and update your code anytime without touching your resume. 

You’ll even get scan tracking and performance insights so you can see when and where your resume is getting noticed.

Ready to upgrade your resume? Sign up for QR Code Generator PRO now and turn a static application into a dynamic opportunity.