Advances in scanning and image technology have started a revolution in the collection, storage and management of resumes. Through this technology, many businesses and organizations have begun using scanners to screen their job applicants.
Now, not only should you have a presentable version of your resume for interviewers, but also a data attractive version for the computer. In other words, you will need to develop two versions of your resume - a visually attractive resume and a scannable resume.
At one time it was acceptable to send multiple copies to an employer, each showing your talents for a different position. With today's advanced technologies and computer database systems, submitting multiple resumes may only succeed in flagging you as "high risk" or "unfocused".
How it works
Resumes are received by the employer and are scanned into a computer. The computer "reads" each resume, looking for keywords, and files the resume in its system. When a job opening needs to be filled, the employer tells the computer what keywords to look for, the computer finds all of the resumes that match those keywords, and the resumes are ranked by number of matched keywords.
When writing a scannable resume, many of the rules for a traditional resume apply. The secret of a successful scannable resume is the use of the keywords that employers are searching for. This is not an easy task as many keywords vary from employer to employer.
Content
A scannable resume will resemble a non-scannable resume with a few exceptions:
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Keyword/summary section
This should be a short, strong opening paragraph. Indicate your key experiences and your strongest skills. -
Identification
List your name, address, telephone, fax number, and email address on separate lines, any formatting may confuse the computer. -
Objective
Indicate what your specific goals are and what position you're looking to fill. -
Education, experience, activities/interests, accomplishments, and references
Like a traditional, written resume, these sections should include past work experience, education, volunteer positions, internships, awards, etc.
Keywords
What you include in your resume is how the computer will file your information. Where traditional resumes use action verbs to interest the reader, scannable resumes uses nouns to attract attention. Employers will search for words such as job titles, familiar acronyms, company names, organizations, degrees, etc. What the employer will search for is unknown, you can only make reasonable assumptions about what a specific employer will seek.
It is even more critical now that you research the company and position you are applying for. If you know the requirements of the job, you can be sure to include the keywords on your resume.
Keyword samples by occupation
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Accounting manager Manager BS accounting CPA Accounts payable Accounts receivable |
Salesperson BS/BA Exceeded quota Will travel |
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Writer Copy editing Creative Writing Editing Journalism Technical Writing |
Advertising/Communications Articles Promotional material Sales promotion Cable television Quark XPress |
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Teacher Adult education GED Instructional Special Education Computer Aided Testing |
TV/Movie Arts Concept design Costuming TV Creative development |
Samples of frequently requested interpersonal traits:
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ability to delegate ability to implement ability to plan ability to train accurate adaptable aggressive work analytical ability assertive communication skills competitive conceptual ability creative customer oriented detail minded ethic flexible follow through high energy |
innovative leadership multitasking open communication open minded oral communication organizational skills persuasive problem solving public speaking results oriented risk taking safety conscious self accountable sensitive supportive takes initiative team player willing to travel |
Format
Less is more! The best scannable resumes are simple, unadorned, uncluttered and unpretentious.
- Simple structured format
- Single space text
- Double space between main headings
- Use a plain font like Courier or Palatino
- Use a laser printer
- White paper, 8½" x 11"
- Headlines are 12 point bold face and the rest is in 10 point regular
Tips of the Trade
- Use future dates when listing education, if applicable, omitting the word "expected"
- Avoid bullets, boxes, lines, italics, boldface, and underline
- Avoid ambiguous phrases and vague word choice (example: "responsible for project organization" becomes "organized series of projects for marketing new line of software")
- Avoid using a passive voice (example: "experience with blueprints" becomes "drafted construction blueprints")
- Use specific names of tools, instruments, software you have used such as Excel, FileMaker Pro, WordPerfect for Windows
- Maximize industry terminology and jargon, but only if widely used
- State quantitative terms and measurable results (example: "managed 14 commercial brokers")
- Always send originals
An Exception to the Rule
One page is no longer the rule of resume length for scannable resumes. If you have the background and experience, the more keyword points you present about yourself, the more likely you are to be matched to a position by the computer.