QR Codes on a Resume: Should You Include One and How to Do It Right

QR codes have become ubiquitous in our daily lives—from restaurant menus to event tickets to contactless payments. But do they belong on your resume? The answer isn’t straightforward. While QR codes can add value in certain situations, they can also waste precious resume space or even hurt your chances if implemented poorly.

This guide will help you decide whether to include a QR code on your resume, what it should link to, and how to implement it effectively without compromising your application.

What Is a QR Code on a Resume?

A QR (Quick Response) code on a resume is a scannable square barcode that links to additional content when scanned with a smartphone camera. This additional content could include:

• Your professional portfolio
• LinkedIn profile
• Personal website
• Video introduction
• Digital business card
• Extended resume or work samples
• References or recommendations

The idea is to provide an easy bridge between your physical (or PDF) resume and digital content that supports your candidacy.

Pros of Including a QR Code

Extended Content Access

Resumes are limited in space. A QR code provides a pathway to content that won’t fit on one to two pages:

• Full portfolio showcasing your work
• Video demonstrations of skills
• Detailed case studies
• Interactive projects
• Comprehensive work samples

Modern and Tech-Forward Image

For certain industries, a QR code signals you’re comfortable with technology and embrace innovation:

• Technology and digital fields
• Marketing and advertising
• Design and creative roles
• Modern startups
• Forward-thinking organizations

Convenient for Human Reviewers

When a hiring manager is reviewing a printed resume (or a PDF on a tablet), a QR code provides instant access without typing URLs:

• Quick scan with phone camera
• Immediate access to supporting content
• No manual typing of long URLs
• Frictionless user experience

Trackable Engagement

With proper setup, QR codes can include tracking:

• Know when someone scans your code
• Track engagement with your portfolio
• Gain insight into application interest
• Measure which applications generate curiosity

Space Efficiency

Instead of listing multiple URLs or a lengthy portfolio link, a single QR code takes minimal space while providing access to extensive content.

Cons of Including a QR Code

ATS Compatibility Issues

Applicant Tracking Systems don’t read QR codes—they’re just images to the system:

• Takes up space that could contain keywords
• Doesn’t contribute to ATS scoring
• May interfere with resume parsing

Not Always Scanned

Many hiring managers won’t scan your QR code:

• Reviewing on computer (phone not handy)
• Don’t have a scanning app readily available
• Time constraints during initial review
• Simply ignore it

Dated Impression in Some Industries

For traditional industries, a QR code might seem gimmicky:

• Legal and finance (conservative culture)
• Government positions
• Traditional corporate environments
• Healthcare administration

Security Concerns

Some organizations have security policies about scanning unknown QR codes:

• Corporate devices may restrict scanning
• Security-conscious reviewers may avoid unknown links
• IT policies may prohibit following external links

Link Rot Risk

If the linked content changes or disappears:

• Broken links damage credibility
• Outdated content can hurt your candidacy
• Maintaining links requires ongoing attention

When to Include a QR Code

Good Candidates for QR Codes

Creative professionals: Designers, photographers, videographers, and artists can link to visual portfolios.

Developers and engineers: Link to GitHub profiles, project demonstrations, or technical portfolios.

Marketing professionals: Showcase campaign work, metrics, and creative samples.

Sales professionals: Link to video pitches or presentation samples.

Job fair and networking situations: When handing physical resumes to people in person.

Executive and senior roles: Link to extensive career documentation or thought leadership.

When to Skip the QR Code

Traditional industries: Law, accounting, government, and conservative corporate environments.

ATS-focused applications: When you know the resume goes through automated screening.

Online applications: When submitting through portals where reviewers see everything digitally anyway.

Limited portfolio benefit: If you don’t have meaningful content to link to.

Space constraints: If your resume is tight and you’d sacrifice more important content.

What Your QR Code Should Link To

The destination of your QR code matters enormously. Poor destinations can hurt your candidacy.

Excellent Options

Professional portfolio: A well-designed showcase of your work samples, case studies, and accomplishments.

LinkedIn profile: Your complete professional history and recommendations (ensure it’s fully optimized first).

Personal website: A professional site highlighting your experience, projects, and expertise.

Video introduction: A brief (under 90 seconds) professional video introducing yourself and your value.

Digital business card: A landing page with contact information and links to professional profiles.

Project demonstrations: For technical roles, links to live projects, code repositories, or interactive samples.

Avoid Linking To

Generic social media: Personal Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter accounts.

Incomplete content: Half-finished portfolios or bare-bones websites.

Password-protected content: Anything requiring login to access.

Heavy or slow-loading content: Sites that take forever to load on mobile.

Irrelevant content: Anything not directly related to your professional candidacy.

Outdated content: Old portfolios, discontinued projects, or stale information.

How to Create and Implement a QR Code

Generating Your QR Code

Several free and paid services create QR codes:

Free options:

• QR Code Generator (qr-code-generator.com)
• QRCode Monkey
• Google Charts API
• Canva (includes QR code generator)

Paid options with tracking:

• Bitly
• QRTiger
• Beaconstac
• Scanova

Best Practices for Creation

Use a shortened or branded URL: Long URLs create dense, harder-to-scan codes.

Test before using: Scan the code yourself on multiple devices to verify it works.

Choose appropriate size: Too small and it won’t scan; too large wastes space. 0.75” to 1” square usually works well.

Ensure adequate contrast: Black on white works best. Avoid colored backgrounds behind the code.

Include quiet zone: QR codes need empty space around them to scan properly.

Consider branded codes carefully: Some QR generators let you add logos or colors, but these can reduce scannability.

Placement on Your Resume

Header area: Near your contact information, aligned with name and details.

Sidebar: If using a two-column layout, the sidebar can accommodate a QR code.

Bottom of page: Less prominent but still accessible for interested reviewers.

Avoid:

• Placing in the middle of text sections
• Making it the dominant visual element
• Putting it where it interferes with important content

Design Integration

Include a label: Add text like “Scan for Portfolio” or “LinkedIn Profile” so reviewers know what to expect.

Match your resume style: The QR code should fit your resume’s overall design aesthetic.

Consider icon integration: Some designers incorporate the QR code into their personal branding.

Creating the Perfect Destination Page

Your QR code is only as good as what it links to. Optimize the destination:

For Portfolio Links

• Mobile-optimized design (most scanning happens on phones)
• Fast loading time
• Clear navigation
• Professional appearance
• Relevant, up-to-date work samples
• Easy way to contact you

Resources like 0portfolio.com can help you create professional portfolio pages that serve as ideal QR code destinations.

For LinkedIn Profiles

Before linking to LinkedIn, ensure:

• Profile is complete (100%)
• Professional headshot
• Compelling headline
• Detailed experience with achievements
• Recommendations from colleagues
• Skills endorsed
• Customize your public URL

For Video Content

If linking to a video introduction:

• Keep it under 90 seconds
• Professional appearance and background
• Good audio quality
• Clear value proposition
• Call to action at the end

Making Your QR Code ATS-Compatible

QR codes themselves won’t help with ATS, but you can minimize negative impact:

Don’t Replace Text with QR Code

Keep all important information in text form. The QR code should supplement, not replace.

Wrong: Using a QR code instead of listing your LinkedIn URL.

Right: Including both the text URL and the QR code:

linkedin.com/in/yourname [QR code]

Place Strategically

Position the QR code in areas less likely to interfere with ATS parsing:

• Header area with contact information
• Separate section clearly labeled
• Footer of the resume

Have Two Resume Versions

Consider maintaining:

• ATS version: Plain text-focused, no QR code, maximum keywords
• Human-reader version: Includes QR code and enhanced formatting

Alternative to QR Codes

If you’re unsure about QR codes, consider alternatives:

Short, Clean URLs

Use URL shorteners or custom domains:

• yourname.com/portfolio
• bit.ly/yournameportfolio
• linktr.ee/yourname

Simple Hyperlinks

For digital resumes, hyperlink text directly: “View my portfolio at yourname.com/portfolio” (with the URL hyperlinked)

Call to Action

Direct invitation to visit your online presence: “For work samples and recommendations, visit yourname.com”

QR Code Trends and Future Considerations

QR code usage continues to evolve:

Increasing Acceptance

Post-pandemic, QR codes are more universally understood and used. Many people now instinctively know how to scan them.

Integration with Digital Business Cards

QR codes are becoming standard on digital and physical business cards, which may increase resume acceptance.

Better Generation Tools

QR generation tools now offer better customization, tracking, and reliability.

NFC and Other Technologies

Near Field Communication (NFC) chips offer similar functionality and may eventually appear on physical resumes or business cards.

Final Recommendations

Include a QR Code If:

• You have substantial portfolio content to share
• You’re in a creative or tech field
• You’re networking in person or at job fairs
• You’re comfortable the resume will be reviewed by humans, not just ATS
• You have professional, maintained destination content

Skip the QR Code If:

• You’re applying to traditional, conservative industries
• Your resume goes through ATS without human review
• You don’t have meaningful content to link to
• You need the space for more important resume content
• You can’t commit to maintaining the linked content

Implement Thoughtfully If You Choose to Include One:

1. Choose the right destination (professional, mobile-optimized, maintained)
2. Generate a high-quality, scannable code
3. Place it strategically without dominating the design
4. Label it clearly so reviewers know what they’re scanning
5. Keep the text URL as well for ATS and accessibility
6. Test it thoroughly before sending
7. Monitor the destination to ensure it stays current

Conclusion

QR codes on resumes remain optional—they’re neither required nor universally expected. When implemented thoughtfully, they can provide value by connecting interested reviewers to your broader professional story. When implemented poorly, they waste space or create negative impressions.

Consider your industry, the application method, and whether you have genuinely valuable content to share. If the answer points toward including one, do so professionally and purposefully. If not, a clean, keyword-rich resume without a QR code remains perfectly effective.

The goal is to make it easy for employers to learn more about you if they’re interested. A QR code is one tool for that purpose—but it’s just one of many approaches to connecting your resume with your larger professional presence.

Tools like 0portfolio.com can help you build the kind of professional portfolio that makes including a QR code worthwhile, giving reviewers something genuinely valuable to discover when they scan.

Your resume’s primary job is to get you interviews. Let that goal guide your decision about QR codes—and every other resume element.