Job Search and QR Codes

 

Before you decide if it is worth your while to add a QR code to your marketing collateral, you must first understand what a QR code is and what it does.

What is a QR code?

Background info:

• They come to us from Japan
• QR is short for Quick Response (they can be read quickly by a cell phone)
• They are used to take a piece of information from a transitory media and put it in to your cell phone
• They can store (and digitally present) data, including url links, geo coordinates, and text
• Smart cell phones can scan them if they are equipped with a QR reader app

Below is the QR version of my website:

 

http://www.smartcareerplanning.com/

SMART Career Planning.com

How do I generate QR a code?

• Type ‘QR Code Generator” in any search engine to find several sites  that will enable you to create your own code in a matter of seconds.

How can I read a QR code?

• You need a smartphone
• Go to the app store and search for a QR code reader where you will find several free apps
• Run the app and then hold your phone’s camera over a QR code to read it.  N.B. that most QR codes you’ll come across have a URL encoded, so chances are when you read the QR code it will take you to a web page

What’s the point of QR codes?

• Due to the fact that QR codes link offline information to online content, they can effectively provide additional information and multimedia to an offline experience. If you have created print material that included a URL for more information, a QR code for that URL could also be added to enable smartphone users to go directly to that web page without having to type in the web address.

Will incorporating a QR Code in my marketing collateral worth the effort?

• Why not take advantage of this technology and add your résumé to your business card in the form of a QR code?  What do you have to lose?

Copyright © 2011, Career Matters. All Rights Reserved. Permission to Reprint: This article may be reprinted, provided it appears in its entirety with the following attribution: Copyright © 2011, Career Matters. Reprinted by permission of the author, Mary Salvino. “Career Matters” is a blog hosted by Mary Salvino, Senior Consultant for SMART Career Planning.com. This blog is dedicated to those who are seeking advice on managing their career and future job opportunities. We welcome readers to share their experiences, post their comments or ask questions about career related matters. For any questions or comments that are better addressed privately, please feel free to e-mail Mary directly at Mary.Salvino@shaw.ca