Scannable and E-Mail Resumes

[sajiv]

Scannable and E-Mail Resumes

The job search is moving into the electronic age, so make sure your resume is on the cutting edge. Employers who receive several hundred resumes for each advertised opening and a couple of hundred unsolicited resumes now have a better way to manage all the paperwork. How? By investing in electronic databases which store resumes and are quickly accessible by a few simple computer commands.

Resumes may be entered into a system using an optical scanner and the images stored, thereby building a database of applicants and relevant skills. Employers then access candidates by searching the database for qualifications.

Your resume is a place to express individuality and style. However, some fonts and style choices could present too much of a challenge for the scanner. If you follow the tips below, the system will be better able to extract your information accurately.

Font - Standard serif and sans serif fonts work best. Avoid ornate fonts and fonts where the characters touch. Font size is also important. Sizes between 10 points and 14 points work best.

Italics and underlining may cause problems for the scanner, especially if combined. Use boldface for emphasis.

Vertical or horizontal lines should be used sparingly. When used, leave at least a quarter of an inch of space around the line. Avoid graphics and shading or shadowing.

Do not compress or expand the space between letters or lines. Also, do not double space within sections.The resume you submit should be an original. It should be printed with a laser printer on white or light- colored 8.5 x 11 inch paper. Print on one side only.Resumes which have been folded, stapled or otherwise mutilated will not scan well.

It is imperative that you describe your skills and accomplishments using the language of your (desired) profession.These new systems search for applicants by using key words or phrases. So in order for your resume to have appeal in your chosen career field, use the jargon of the field.

While sections which highlight experience, education, languages, technical skills and other categories are important, emphasize specific skills and achievements. Nouns are also more distinguishable than action verbs.

Remember the rules differ for unusual or different looking resumes. The fancy graphics used to catch an employer's eye will only confuse a computer, so keep it simple.