How to Use Google Drive and Google Docs for Resumes

woman holding resume application with using tablet digital to job search on internet. applying for a job concept.
Photo: Jirapong Manustrong / Getty Images

Google Drive is a good (and free) choice for storing your resume and cover letters online. For job seekers, this online organizational system can be extremely helpful. 

You can create a new resume and other documents using Google Docs, upload a resume from a word processing program such as Microsoft Word, and save, edit, store, and share your resume with prospective employers.

Here's how to use Google Drive to easily create and manage all your job application materials.

What Is Google Drive? 

Google Drive is an organizational system, where you can create, store, and share files. Through it, you can: 

  • Create, edit, and save documents using Google Docs (Google word processing app)
  • Upload files from your computer
  • Edit and view files from your computer, tablet, or smartphone 
  • Store job materials online 
  • Share documents with prospective employers and networking contacts
  • Share files with career counselors, friends, and family helping with your job search

Since you can easily access all your files from any computer, tablet, or smartphone, you don't need to carry around a flash drive, email yourself documents, or worry about not having access if you're not at home. 

Plus, you can take advantage of the resume and letter templates, which can help you create job search materials.

How to Upload a Resume to Google Drive

To upload your resume (or any other document), register and create a Google account, if you don't have one. 

Note

Google accounts are free for personal use. 

Once registered, you'll be able to access your Google Drive any time you are online.

To upload a resume you have already written onto Google Drive, you can take one of two options. First, you can simply click and drag a document from your computer onto Google Drive. The other option:

  • In Google Drive, click on “My Drive.”
  • Click “File Upload.”
  • Upload the document you want to add to Google Drive.

To edit the document, double-click on the filename, then click “Open With” at the top of the page. (You can also right-click on the filename and select "Open With.") Click Google Docs, which will open the document in Google Docs.

Here, you can make any desired changes to the document, including changing the name of the document. These changes will automatically be saved in Google Drive.

How to Create a New Google Doc

If you want to write your resume from scratch or compose any other job search materials on Google Drive, click on “New” in the top left corner of Google Drive. Then click “Google Docs,” which will take you to the editing program. There you can write, edit, format, save, and share your job materials.

Note

Click on the arrow next to "Google Docs" in the dropdown menu to create a document from a template. 

If you are not used to Google Docs, don't worry—it is very similar to Microsoft Word or other word processing programs. You can adjust the font and font size, add bullet points and other special characters, and make other resume formatting changes.

Use a Resume or Cover Letter Template

Through Google Drive, you can also access many Google Docs document templates. There are many free resume templates and business letter templates you can use for a cover letter or other professional job search letter. Here's how to access and use the templates:

  • In Google Drive, click on “New” in the top left corner
  • Click the arrow to the right of “Google Docs”
  • Click “From a Template”
  • Look at the list of different templates, and select the template you want to use

This will open up a new Google Doc with the template embedded in it. A template is a great starting point for a resume or letter. Be sure to personalize your document with your career information.

How to Edit a Document in Google Drive

Clicking on a document in Google Drive allows you to read it, not edit it. Here is how to edit your document:

  • Find the document in your Google Drive and double-click on it.
  • Click “open with” at the top of the page.
  • Select “Google Docs”—This will allow you to edit the file.
  • It will automatically save any changes to your Google Drive.

Organizing Files

You can place your job search files into specific folders to help organize your job search. Just click on “New” in the top left corner of Google Drive. Then click on “New Folder.” You can then name the folder, and click and drag Google Docs and any other materials into the folder.

Sharing Files

Once you have a document on Google Drive, you can choose to share it with specific individuals or even publish it publicly online. Here's how:

  • Find the document in your Google Drive and click on it.
  • Click “open with” at the top of the page.
  • Select “Google Docs.” This will allow you to edit the file.
  • Click “Share” in the top right corner of the document.
  • You can then enter the emails of specific people if you want to share with employers, family members, friends, etc.
  • You can also click “Copy link,” which allows you to share a URL with whomever you want. 
  • If you want to make it completely public, click on the dropdown menu below "General Access" and select "Anyone with link." You can then choose to either make the document public, share it with specific people (or people who have the URL), or make it private for you.

Sharing your resume and cover letter online allows hiring managers and recruiters to find them.

Note

Before you make your resume public, be absolutely sure you want your resume and all the personal information on it available to anyone on the internet.

Do keep in mind that once you make your resume public, anyone can find it—and that can mean the wrong people as well as the right people, including your boss if you are currently employed.

Your resume also includes personal information like your phone number. You may prefer to keep that private. 

How to Access Files Offline

A downside to many online document systems is that you need access to the internet to use them. However, this is not the case with Google Drive. 

Simply download the Docs Offline Chrome extension onto your computer (or whatever device you want to use to access your documents). This will allow you to work on existing files and create new ones offline. They will be uploaded to Google Drive when you are back online. You can also view files offline using the Microsoft Edge browser. 

Key Takeaways

  • Google Drive can be a helpful tool for job seekers, since it allows you to easily access, create, edit, and share your resume, cover letter, and other job search files. 
  • Take advantage of templates when creating a new resume or cover letter in Google Drive. 
  • You can both create and edit new files in Google Drive, even when you are not connected to the internet. 
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