Read any classified ads lately? If so, you've probably seen this phrase: "Send scannable resume and cover letter."
What's a scannable resume, you ask?
Today, to help manage a flood of paperwork, many larger companies use optical character recognition (OCR) software to scan resumes into computerized databases. Once scanned in, hiring managers and HR people search through these resumes for keywords to match applicants with jobs.
So, in many cases, a computer will see your resume before a human does. Which means you need to make and send a scannable resume when applying to large corporations. This article will show you how.
First, let's create your scannable resume.
Start by changing the typeface in your resume to a sans serif font, such as Arial, for more accurate reading by the scanning computer. (Serif fonts, such as Times Roman, may not scan as clearly.) Use a single typeface throughout and a single font size. I recommend 10 or 11-point type.
Next, eliminate all underlining, bolding and italics, which can make your resume harder to scan. After that, create a targeted keyword section to match your career goals. Keywords are the nouns an employer uses when searching a database of scanned resumes for candidates like you. If your scannable resume is rich in matching keywords, it's more likely that your resume will pop up in the search ... and you'll be called for an interview.
Try to think like the employer and anticipate the keywords they'll use. Then put those keywords in your resume. Example: a company looking to hire a C++ programmer will look for evidence of programming skills and education. The following keywords should go in your scannable resume (if they apply to you): C, C++, BS: Computer Science, program, programming, programmer, code, coding, software development, software developer.
Put your keyword section near the top of your resume, right after your opening objective or summary statement.
Print your scannable resume on plain white paper for best results … save the fancy stationery for your traditional resume.
Congratulations! You now have a scannable resume.
But what's the best way to use it? Here's a trick that will improve your results.
I tell my clients to send BOTH a scannable resume and a traditional resume (the one with an eye-pleasing layout, printed on nice stationery).
When you send both types of resumes, you prove your understanding of technology by providing one resume for people to read, and one for the computers. You make the employer's job a lot easier, which can go a long way toward producing a job for you.
Best of luck to you!
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About the author:
Kevin Donlin owns Edina, Minn.-based Guaranteed Resumes. Since 1995, his firm has provided resumes, cover letters and online job-search assistance to clients in 48 states and 23 countries. Kevin has been interviewed by USA Today, The Wall Street Journal, Entrepreneur Magazine, WCCO Radio, WLTE Radio and KMSP TV, among others. His articles have appeared in the National Business Employment Weekly, Home Office Computing magazine, Twin Cities Employment Weekly, the cnet online magazine and others.
Kevin can be reached through his Web site: Guaranteed Resumes.
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