The mistake of hiding the CV inside the QR code
Some CVs include a QR code that holds the full CV or a vCard with all the details. The problem is twofold: the recruiter has to scan to read something they should see immediately, and the applicant tracking system (ATS) does not process images. The result is a CV that loses to a readable one.
The QR code must be a complement: the text tells who you are and the code opens the proof of your work. Never the other way around.
What to link and what to avoid
- Your own portfolio: the best option. It shows work, case studies and results.
- LinkedIn: useful and expected, but it does not set you apart on its own.
- Sample PDF: handy for interviews; check that the link is public and permanent.
- Avoid: restricted-permission Drive folders, links that expire, private networks, unknown shorteners.
If your field is creative, a visual portfolio wins. If it is technical, a repository or a page with projects. If it is administrative, LinkedIn is usually enough.
Design, size and ATS
A 1.5–2 cm QR code with a white margin can be read on screen and on paper. Place it in the footer of the first page, aligned with your email and phone number. Do not put it over a photo or a colored background: it needs contrast.
For ATS systems, keep the CV in a single column, with selectable text and no complex tables. Add the URL as text below the code, for example: Portfolio: ana-perez.com. That way both the filter and the person who does not scan still get there.
Test: email the CV to yourself, open it on your phone and scan the QR code from the screen. If it fails there, it will fail in the recruiter's hand.
Privacy and versions
A CV gets passed around: do not include your exact address, an ID number or third parties' personal phone numbers. If you use a link with parameters, check that it does not expose your email or your number. And keep a CV version without a QR code for portals that reject it or for very formal processes.
Frequently asked questions
Does it pass ATS?
The QR code does not; the text does. Always write the URL.
What do I link to?
A portfolio, LinkedIn or a PDF of work that is public and permanent.
Where do I put it?
Next to your contact details, 1.5–2 cm, with margin.
Should I include a vCard?
It is not necessary; a link exposes less data.