Optimal Resume

Optimal Resume is an online resume, portfolio and job search tool that also offers interviewing practice and several templates for the job search. Several colleges and universities across the country have Optimal Resume accounts for their students, including a few SUNY schools (unfortunately, not SUNY Albany).

Main features of Optimal Resume include: a resume builder, which works like a wizard to help students build their resume; a letter builder, for cover letters and thank-you letters, a portfolio builder; so students can upload and store examples of their work for potential employers to review; a website builder, so students can create websites to showcase their technical skills and abilities; interview prep, which allows students to practice answering interview questions – and can record their answers via web cam if their computer is enabled; and resume GPS, which is a job search tool.

Most students who are comfortable using the internet and navigating through a computer will have no problem getting used to Optimal Resume fairly quickly. I have only used it a few times and I feel like I understand its functionality fairly well.

Optimal Resume would be a good addition to any class that builds skills that will be used professionally. Instructors should encourage students to place at least one project or paper in their portfolio from every class so they have a comprehensive view of their skills. In my Public Speaking class, I plan to integrate Optimal Resume into my unit on Speaking for Professional Advancement.

This tool is fairly easy to use and takes a little of the guess work out of the resume building process. As job hunts and employee searches continue to become more and more digitized, it would be nice to have a digital portfolio or website that interested employers could look at if they are interested in learning more about a prospective employee. However, since this is not a free service, I would say that the tools can be found elsewhere for free if a particular school is not a subscriber.