The E-mailed or Scannable Resume

Preparing an e-mail/scannable resume is easy.  Like the traditional style resume, you focus on format and content. To maximize the computer’s ability to read your resume, provide the cleanest original and use a standard style resume.

 

Format

The computer can extract skills from many styles of resumes such as chronological, achievement, functional and combinations of resume types.

 

The most difficult resume for the computer to read is a poor quality copy that has an unusual format such as a newsletter layout, adjusted spacing, large font sizes, graphics or lines, type that is too light, or paper that is too dark.

• Use white or light-colored 8 ½" x 11" paper, printed on one side only. Avoid grainy textured paper.
• Provide a laser printed original if possible. Avoid dot matrix printouts and low quality copies.
• Do not fold or staple.
• Use standard typefaces such as Helvetica, Futura, Optima, Universe, Times, and Courier.
• Use a font size of 10 to 14 points. (avoid Times 10 point).
• Do not condense spacing between letters.
• Use boldface and/or all capital letters for section headings as long as the letters don’t touch each other. Avoid fancy treatments such as italics, underline, shadows, and reverse (white letters on black background).
• Avoid vertical and horizontal lines, graphics and boxes.
• Avoid two-column format or resumes that look like newspapers or newsletters.
• Place your name at the top of the page on its own line. Your name can also be the first text on subsequent pages.
• Use standard address format below your name.
• List each phone number on its own line.

 

Content

The computer extracts information from your resume. You can use your current resume; however, once you understand what the computer searches for, you may decide to add a few key words to increase your opportunities for matching requirements.

 

Our consultants access the resume database in many ways, and may search for your resume specifically or search for candidates with specific experience. When searching for specific experience, they’ll use key words, usually nouns such as: writer, BA, marketing, Society of Technical Communication, Spanish, San Diego, etc. So make sure you describe your experience with concrete words rather than vague descriptions. The computer system will extract the words and information from your sentences; you can write your resume as usual.

 

Tips for Maximizing "Matches"

Use enough key words to define your skills, experience, education, professional affiliations, etc.  For example, it’s better to use "managed a team of software engineers" rather than "responsible for managing, training…”

• Be concise and truthful.
• Use more than one page if necessary.
• Use terminology and acronyms specific to your industry (spell out the acronyms for human readers). Increase your list of key words by including specifics; for example, list the names of the software you use such as Microsoft Word.
• Use common headings such as: Objective, Experience, Employment, Work History, Positions Held, Appointments, Skills, Summary, Summary of Qualifications, Accomplishments, Strengths, Education, Affiliations, Professional Affiliations, Papers, Licenses, Certifications, Examinations, Honors, Personal, Additional, Miscellaneous, References, etc.
• If you have extra space, describe your personal traits and attributes. Key words include skill in time management, dependable, high energy, leadership, sense of responsibility, good memory.

 

Other Tips

You may want to have two versions of your resume: One for the computer to read with a scannable format and detailed information, and one for people to read, possibly with a creative layout, enhanced typography and summarized information.

When faxing, set the fax to "fine mode"; the recipient will get a better quality copy.

 

Submit Your Resume

---

Last update:  05/21/2007