How to Include Links on Your Resume Best Practices

Introduction

Your resume isn’t just a document—it’s a gateway to your professional identity. In today’s hiring landscape, where 75% of recruiters admit to vetting candidates online before interviews, a well-placed link can be the difference between landing an interview and getting lost in the pile. Think of it this way: Your LinkedIn profile, portfolio, or GitHub repository isn’t just supplemental; it’s proof.

Why Links Matter More Than Ever

Gone are the days when a PDF resume could stand alone. Employers want to see your work, not just read about it. A designer’s Behance link shows aesthetic sensibility in action. A developer’s CodePen demonstrates clean, functional code. Even non-technical roles benefit—consider how a marketing manager’s bylined articles or a sales leader’s webinar appearances build credibility.

But here’s the catch: Not all links are created equal. A cluttered resume with six hyperlinks screams “indecisive,” while a missing portfolio link for a creative role raises red flags.

What This Guide Covers

We’ll walk you through:

• The golden rule of resume links: Quality over quantity (and where to place them)
• Industry-specific must-haves: What tech, creative, and corporate hiring managers actually click
• Avoiding common pitfalls: Like linking to outdated profiles or personal social media

Who Needs This?

Whether you’re a recent grad adding your first project or an executive curating thought leadership content, strategic linking elevates your candidacy. Even if your industry isn’t traditionally “digital-forward,” 68% of hiring managers now expect at least one professional link—usually LinkedIn—according to a 2024 Jobvite survey.

“A resume link should work like a trapdoor—once a recruiter falls in, they can’t help but explore your full story.”

Ready to turn your resume into a dynamic showcase? Let’s dive in.

Understanding Which Links to Include

Your resume isn’t just a document—it’s a gateway to your professional identity. In today’s digital age, strategic links can transform a static list of accomplishments into a dynamic showcase of your expertise. But with limited real estate, which links deserve prime placement? Let’s break it down.

Essential Links for Every Resume

No matter your industry, three links belong on nearly every modern resume:

• LinkedIn: Think of it as your professional homepage. A polished profile with recommendations and activity updates adds credibility. (Pro tip: Customize your URL to linkedin.com/in/yourname for a clean look.)
• Online Portfolio: Even non-creative fields benefit from a central hub showcasing projects, case studies, or whitepapers. Platforms like Notion or Carrd make building one effortless.
• Personal Website: Ideal for demonstrating thought leadership through blogs, speaking engagements, or media features.

“A recruiter spends 6-8 seconds scanning your resume. A well-placed link to your portfolio can triple their engagement time.” — LinkedIn Talent Solutions report

Optional but High-Impact Additions

Some links earn their spot based on your field or career stage:

• GitHub (Tech): Even non-developers can showcase data analysis scripts or automation tools.
• Behance/Dribbble (Creative): Visual proof trumps vague descriptors like “skilled in UX design.”
• Published Work: Links to bylines, research papers, or industry press mentions establish authority.
• Certifications: Direct links to verified credentials (e.g., Coursera, AWS) shortcut verification.

A financial analyst might link to a Tableau Public dashboard, while a teacher could include a Google Drive folder of lesson plans. The key? Every link should answer “Can this person solve our problems?”

Links That Derail Your Credibility

Not all digital footprints are resume-worthy. Avoid:

• Personal social media (unless you’re a social media manager showcasing your TikTok growth strategy).
• Outdated portfolios with student work from 2015.
• Generic LinkedIn Learning certificates that don’t relate to the role.

I once reviewed a resume linking to a Pinterest board of vacation photos—proof that even talented professionals can misjudge what’s relevant.

Industry-Specific Must-Clicks

Tailor your links like you would your skills section:

• Tech: GitHub repositories with clean documentation > a bullet point about “coding skills.”
• Creative: Behance case studies showing your process (mood boards → iterations → final product).
• Academia: Google Scholar for citations or ORCID for research continuity.
• Corporate: A link to a SlideShare deck from a conference presentation demonstrates executive presence.

For example, a marketer applying to a SaaS company might prioritize a link to their latest SEO audit, while a nonprofit candidate could link to a grant proposal sample.

The golden rule? Treat links like evidence in a courtroom—each one should corroborate your professional narrative. Next time you update your resume, audit every URL with this question: Would clicking this make a hiring manager more likely to invite me for an interview? If the answer isn’t “absolutely,” it’s time to hit delete.

Formatting Links for Professionalism and Clarity

Your resume’s links are like digital handshakes—they need to be crisp, professional, and impossible to ignore. But stuffing it with raw URLs or burying them in dense paragraphs? That’s like showing up to an interview with a wrinkled shirt. Here’s how to make every click count.

Clean Labeling: From Clunky to Clickable

Instead of pasting a messy URL like “https://www.behance.net/johndoe/portfolio-2024-projects-UI-UX”, simply label it “Portfolio: UI/UX Case Studies”. This achieves three things:

• Saves space: Recruiters scan resumes in seconds—don’t make them decode URLs.
• Improves readability: A well-labeled link tells the story before it’s clicked.
• Boosts ATS compatibility: Many systems struggle with long, complex URLs.

For example, a marketer might write:

• Weak: “Campaign examples: bit.ly/xyz123”
• Strong: “Digital Campaign Portfolio (2023-24)“

Strategic Placement: Where Links Work Hardest

Links shouldn’t be an afterthought—they’re strategic assets. Consider these placement options:

• Header: Ideal for your LinkedIn, portfolio, or personal website (the “big three”).
• Contact section: Perfect for professional profiles like GitHub or Dribbble.
• Under relevant roles: Link to specific projects mentioned in bullet points (e.g., “Launched rebrand → [View Project]”).

Pro tip: If you’re in a creative field, your portfolio link belongs front and center. For corporate roles, lean toward LinkedIn or published work samples in your experience section.

Hyperlinking vs. Plain Text: The ATS Dilemma

Here’s where things get technical. Most applicant tracking systems (ATS) parse hyperlinks, but some older systems might strip them. To cover all bases:

1. Hyperlink the text (e.g., Portfolio) in digital submissions.
2. Include the full URL in parentheses for printed resumes (e.g., Portfolio (yourdomain.com)).

Exception? Email submissions. Many clients (like Outlook) disable hyperlinks by default, so test your resume PDF beforehand.

Mobile and ATS Optimization: Avoiding the Black Hole

Ever clicked a resume link on your phone only to get an error? Hiring managers face this daily. Follow these rules:

• Shorten URLs for print (use bit.ly or a custom domain).
• Test every link on multiple devices—especially if using QR codes.
• Avoid password-protected pages unless explicitly requested.

“A recruiter once told me, ‘If I can’t open your portfolio in three seconds, I move on.’”

Bottom line: Your links should work as hard as your bullet points. Label them clearly, place them strategically, and test them ruthlessly. Because in today’s job market, a broken link might as well be a broken opportunity.

Creating a Strong Online Presence to Support Your Links

Your resume links are only as strong as the digital footprint behind them. Think of it like staging a house before selling—you wouldn’t point buyers to a half-finished renovation. The same goes for your online presence: every linked profile, portfolio, or project should reinforce your professional narrative with polish and purpose.

Optimizing LinkedIn Profiles: Beyond the Basics

Recruiters spend an average of 6-7 seconds scanning a LinkedIn profile before deciding whether to click further. Make those seconds count by focusing on three high-impact areas:

• Headline: Ditch the default “Job Title at Company.” Instead, lead with value: “Frontend Developer | Building Accessible Web Apps That Convert”
• Featured section: Pin work samples, articles, or presentations that align with your target roles. A UX designer might showcase a Figma prototype, while a marketer could highlight a viral campaign.
• Activity: Regularly engage with industry content (thoughtful comments > generic likes). One recruiter told me, “A silent profile feels like a candidate who’s checked out.”

Pro tip: Use LinkedIn’s “Open to Work” badge strategically. If you’re employed but open to opportunities, toggle it to “Recruiters only” to avoid awkward conversations with your current employer.

Building a Personal Website That Converts

A personal website isn’t just for creatives anymore. Tools like Squarespace and Wix have made it easy for anyone to create a professional hub—but the magic is in the structure. Your site should include:

1. A clear value proposition (above the fold): “I help SaaS companies turn churn into growth”
2. Case studies with metrics: “Reduced support tickets by 40% through redesigned onboarding flows”
3. A contact CTA: Include a calendly link or email—don’t make hiring managers hunt for ways to reach you

“My website got me 3x more interviews than my resume alone,” says David, a data scientist who embedded interactive Python notebooks into his portfolio.

Showcasing Work Samples Like a Pro

Curating your best work is an art. Avoid the “kitchen sink” approach—instead, ask: If a hiring manager only sees one project, which would make them pick up the phone?

For technical roles:

• GitHub repos with clean READMEs explaining the “why” behind code decisions
• Live demos (Glitch, CodePen) that prove your work functions

For creative roles:

• Behance or Dribbble projects with client testimonials
• Before/after sliders showing your impact

The Maintenance Mindset

Nothing tanks credibility faster than broken links or outdated content. Set quarterly reminders to:

• Test every resume link (try Dead Link Checker)
• Refresh portfolio pieces (retire projects older than 3 years)
• Update LinkedIn featured posts with recent wins

Remember: Your online presence isn’t a set-it-and-forget-it backdrop—it’s the living, breathing proof of what you bring to the table. Treat it like a garden: tend it regularly, prune what’s not serving you, and watch opportunities bloom.

4. Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

You’ve carefully selected your resume links—portfolio, GitHub, LinkedIn—but a single misstep could derail your chances. A hiring manager clicking a broken URL or stumbling upon unvetted social media content won’t give you a second chance. Here’s how to sidestep the most common pitfalls and keep your application in the “yes” pile.

Overloading with Links: Less Is More

Think of your resume like a museum exhibit—you want to showcase masterpieces, not clutter the walls with every sketch you’ve ever made. Three to five high-relevance links are ideal:

• Tech roles: GitHub + portfolio + LinkedIn
• Creative fields: Behance/Dribbble + personal website + case study
• Corporate jobs: LinkedIn + published articles/presentations

I once reviewed a resume with 12 links—including a SoundCloud rap side project. Unless you’re applying to be a music producer, ask yourself: Does this link prove I can excel in this specific role? If not, cut it.

Broken Links: The Silent Resume Killer

A 2023 ResumeLab study found that 34% of hiring managers discard applications with non-functional links. Avoid becoming a statistic with these steps:

1. Test every URL—click through from multiple devices (phone, desktop)
2. Shorten ugly links using Bit.ly or LinkedIn’s built-in URL cleaner
3. Set calendar reminders to check links quarterly (portfolio sites expire!)

Pro tip: For PDF resumes, hyperlink text naturally (e.g., “View my interactive dashboard” vs. a raw URL). It looks cleaner and reduces typos.

Unprofessional Content: Audit Like a Hiring Manager

That meme-filled Twitter account? The political rants on your “personal blog”? They don’t belong on your resume—even if the links seem harmless. Before adding any profile:

• Google yourself in incognito mode to see what’s publicly visible
• Review tagged posts/photos on social media
• Check dates on portfolio pieces (an “updated 2019” timestamp screams outdated skills)

A designer client of mine lost an interview because her portfolio link redirected to an unfinished Squarespace template. Always view links through a recruiter’s eyes.

Privacy Settings: The Hidden Barrier

You might think your LinkedIn profile is public, but settings change—sometimes without warning. For every link you include:

• Confirm the visibility is set to “Public” or “Anyone”
• Disable “Viewer Analytics” on portfolios if you don’t want employers knowing you’re job hunting
• Use LinkedIn’s “View as” feature to spot-check profile visibility

Remember: A link is only as strong as its accessibility. One missed setting could mean a hiring manager hits a login wall instead of your glowing recommendations.

Final Thought
Your resume links should work like a well-choreographed dance—each one leading the viewer seamlessly to proof of your expertise. Test them, prune them, and above all: make sure they tell the same winning story as your bullet points. Because in today’s job market, a single broken or irrelevant link can be the difference between “Let’s interview” and “Let’s pass.”

5. Advanced Strategies for Standing Out

You’ve nailed the basics—clean formatting, relevant links, and proofread URLs. Now it’s time to level up. The most memorable candidates don’t just list links; they turn them into strategic assets that showcase their unique value. Here’s how to make yours impossible to ignore.

Custom Domains: Your Digital Business Card

A LinkedIn URL with random numbers screams “default settings.” Compare that to yourname.com—instantly professional, effortlessly memorable. For creatives, this is non-negotiable (imagine a designer using a free Wix subdomain). But even corporate candidates benefit:

• Tech roles: Host open-source contributions on github.com/yourname
• Consultants: Redirect yourname.com to your LinkedIn or published articles
• Students: Use a domain for your academic portfolio (e.g., jane-doe-research.com)

“When I see ‘johndoe.dev,’ I assume intentionality—this candidate treats their career like a brand,” says Google’s former Head of Technical Recruiting.

Video Resumes: When to Press Play

A 60-second pitch can bypass the “flat resume” problem, but tread carefully. Rule of thumb: Only include a video link if:

1. The role demands charisma (sales, teaching, public speaking)
2. You’re in a visual field (acting, UX design, architecture)
3. The company culture leans innovative (startups > law firms)

Pro tip: Embed the video in a portfolio page with context. A standalone “Watch me!” link feels unprofessional without supporting materials.

Analytics: The Secret Weapon

Why guess if hiring managers clicked your links when you can know? Tools like Bit.ly or Google Analytics reveal:

• Which links get traction (maybe your Medium article outperforms your portfolio)
• When clicks happen (post-interview spikes mean they’re vetting you)
• Geographic data (useful for remote roles)

A real-world example: A product manager added UTM parameters to her resume links, discovered her case study got 3x more clicks than her GitHub, and moved it to the top. She landed interviews at 5 FAANG companies within a month.

Case Studies: Links That Landed Jobs

• The Data Scientist who included a Colab notebook link next to his “Machine Learning” bullet point. The hiring manager later admitted: “I spent 20 minutes playing with his model—it solved our exact use case.”
• The Copywriter who linked to a Google Doc showing her editing process (before/after versions with client feedback). The VP said it was “the most transparent proof of skill” he’d seen.
• The Teacher whose resume linked to a YouTube playlist of her virtual lessons. The school district shared it with their curriculum team as a “best practice example.”

These candidates didn’t just list links—they curated evidence. Your turn: Audit your resume with this lens. Does every link actively disprove doubts and prove excellence? If not, it’s time to upgrade from “informative” to “irresistible.”

Conclusion

Your resume isn’t just a document—it’s a gateway to your professional brand. By strategically incorporating links, you transform it from a static list of experiences into a dynamic showcase of your expertise. Let’s recap the essentials:

• Quality over quantity: Every link should serve a purpose, whether it’s a portfolio proving your design skills or a GitHub repository demonstrating your coding prowess.
• Tailor to your industry: Tech recruiters expect to see code samples, while marketers should highlight case studies or campaign results.
• Test and optimize: Broken links or outdated profiles undermine your credibility. Always double-check functionality before hitting “send.”

Your Next Steps

Now’s the time to audit your resume with a critical eye. Ask yourself:

• Do my links align with the roles I’m targeting?
• Are they easy to find and clearly labeled?
• Would a hiring manager be impressed after clicking?

If you hesitated on any of these, it’s time to refine. Swap vague descriptions like “managed social media” for “Grew LinkedIn engagement by 200%—see campaign samples [here].”

The Consistency Factor

“Your resume links should mirror the story you tell in interviews. If your LinkedIn highlights leadership but your portfolio lacks teamwork examples, that disconnect raises red flags.”

Ensure your online presence—from LinkedIn to personal websites—reinforces the same narrative. Hiring managers will cross-reference, so consistency is non-negotiable.

Finally, remember: A well-placed link isn’t just a URL—it’s a mic drop moment. It’s the difference between claiming you’re the best candidate and proving it. So go ahead: curate, test, and polish those links until they shine. Your next opportunity is waiting.