Here's Where Your Resume + Cover Letter Should Be Saved or Stored For Quick and Convenient Access

Picture this: a new job opportunity has just become available at a company you’ve been trying to get into for years. The post says the job will stop accepting applications by the end of the day. You would apply now but…..your resume is saved on your computer. And your computer is at home…..500+ miles away because you’re on vacation and, of course, you didn’t bring it.

This scenario may sound extreme, but you get the point – a dream opportunity has just presented itself and you’re unprepared to apply. Unsurprisingly, this occurs quite often. Most professionals have their resumes saved or stored in one place or on one device. This means that unless they have that one device handy, they may or not be ready to apply or submit their application or resume at the drop of a hat.

5 PLACES TO HAVE YOUR RESUME AND COVER LETTER SAVED

When it comes to jobs, the early bird gets the worm and, in your career, it’s best to always stay ready for situations like these. Technology and software have made storing and accessing digital documents and materials anywhere, anytime more convenient, and easier than ever.

Having your resume and cover letter available 24/7 via platforms and devices works to your advantage by keeping you ready to apply wherever, whenever, and however, you want instantly. Here are 5 places you should have your resume saved and stored for when an opportunity comes knocking.

YOUR COMPUTER

On your laptop or desktop computer, you should have your resume in a special, labeled folder to keep it from getting lost amongst the many other documents and files you have saved. Having your resume and cover letter saved and stored on your computer will make it easy for you to apply to jobs on your computer; all you’ll need to do is attach or upload the file directly from the device.

If you’re someone who carries your computer with them constantly and it’s never out of your sight, not on your shoulder, or in your backpack, you’ll always be ready to apply no matter what. It’s important to note, though, that computers can, and sometimes do, crash. This is why having your resume saved multiple places is a best practice. The last thing you want is to lose your resume, and other important files, because of a malfunction or glitch.

YOUR EMAIL

Yes, your email is for receiving notifications, sale announcements, promotional offers, and even interview requests, but it can also be used as a 24/7 reliable and accessible backup for files and documents such as your resume and cover letter. While your computer has the chance of crashing, your email doesn’t have those problems. Think about it – when was the last time you were unable to get into your Gmail, Outlook, or Apple Mail account?

Not to mention they are all typically frequently used mobile apps you probably check multiple times a day. Chances are you have your phone on you 24/7, which means you have your email on you 24/7. In fact, you may even use your email via your phone more than you use your email via your computer! With this being said, email your resume to yourself and mark it as important or put it in a folder so it’s always ready to be distributed – you guessed it – anytime, anywhere.

GOOGLE DRIVE

If you have a Gmail account, like 1.5 billion people across the world, you automatically have access to Google drive and ____ amount of free storage. Go ahead and upload your resume and cover letter to Google drive for non-stop access. You can get into your Google drive via the mobile app, your email, or directly with your username and password.

Any files, documents, images, etc. you have stored there can be retrieved or referenced as long as you have an active account. Let’s say you wanted to apply to an internal job at work but didn’t have your personal laptop handy, you could access your Google drive, download both your resume and cover letter, and submit it quickly. You can also use the Apple Cloud, too.

DROPBOX

Dropbox is a top file storing and sharing software company with over 8 million customers. While it was already rising in popularity, the pandemic only skyrocketed its growth as remote work became mandatory to keep people safe from COVID-19. Dropbox has multiple tiers to its service for both businesses and individual users.

Prices start at $11.99 per month for 2,000GB of storage and increase based on the amount of GB you’ll need and how many assets you’ll be storing there. Consider signing up for Dropbox to store your resume and cover letter.

EXTERNAL HARD DRIVE

Contrary to popular belief, external hard drives are not dead. While thumb drives may not be as popular as they once were, external hard drives as a whole are great investments to back up important files and documents in case of a computer crash.

Once you have one, simply copy the files of your resume and cover letter and drag it or upload it to the hard drive. Since a hard drive is portable, you could keep it in a case in your purse, work bag, etc. You can purchase a hard drive at many stores including Target, Best Buy (click the link to see the one I use), Walmart, and other retailers.

STAY READY SO YOU NEVER HAVE TO GET READY

Ideally, you should always be preparing or staying ready for an opportunity to come your way. Having your resume updated, accessible, and available for distribution or deliver is as best practice for you to seize once-in-a-blue-moon chances that don’t present themselves very often. The market is tougher today than ever before, with over 200+ people applying for a single posting. The key to standing out is applying ASAP with a top-notch resume that pitches you as a solution to the company’s challenges and needs. Have your resume and cover letter stored in the 5 places listed in this blog to always be ready to hit “submit”.