Anything that shows proof is better than a resume that only lists claims. A resume says what you did; the strongest alternative, a pitch page, shows it: your results with context, a short video so they can hear you, and samples of your work, in one link you send with the PDF or instead of it.
Why a resume alone falls short
A resume compresses years of work into bullet points, and AI tools now write many of them in the same voice. It can't show how you communicate, what your work looks like, or the context behind a number. Hiring managers end up comparing near-identical documents and guessing.
Six options, compared on what they actually show
- A tailored resume. Still expected, and still how applicant tracking systems read you. It shows your history quickly, but no proof and no personality.
- A LinkedIn profile. Good for being found. Every profile has the same layout, and it isn't something you send with an application.
- A portfolio site. The strongest choice for visual work. Slow to build, and thin for roles whose value is results rather than artifacts.
- A video introduction. Shows how you speak and think. On its own it lacks the facts a recruiter screens for, and it's slow to skim.
- A work sample or case study. The most convincing proof of a single skill. Narrow on its own.
- A pitch page. Puts the others together: results in context, a 60-second video, samples, testimonials and a contact button, in one link that opens on any phone. (What is a pitch page?)
How to choose
- Applying through a portal? Upload the resume it asks for, and put your link inside the resume and in any free-text field.
- Messaging or emailing a person? Lead with the link and attach the PDF only if they ask for it.
- Visual role? Lead with your portfolio, and link it from a page that also carries your results.
- Little experience? Projects and a short video carry more than a thin resume. (See recent grads.)
What makes any alternative better than a resume
- Proof over adjectives. A result someone can check beats "results-driven".
- Context for numbers. What the target was, what you changed, what happened.
- A human signal. A face and a voice, which no generated document has.
- One link. Nothing to download, and it reads well on a phone.
- A clear next step. A button to book a call or send an email.
FAQ
- Is anything better than a resume?
- Yes: anything that shows proof rather than listing claims, such as a pitch page, a portfolio or a work sample. Most employers still ask for a resume too, so send both.
- Should I stop sending a resume?
- No. Many applications require one and applicant tracking systems read it. Send the resume they ask for, plus a link that does the convincing.
- What's the best resume alternative if I'm not a designer?
- A pitch page, because it's built around results, a short video and testimonials rather than visual artwork. (See resume alternative tools.)
- Is a video resume better than a resume?
- Not on its own, because it lacks the facts. Next to your results on one page it's far more memorable. (See is a video resume worth it.)
Keep reading
See finished pitch pages
Real pages with results, a short video and a contact button: what better than a resume looks like.
See finished pitch pages