In today’s job market, an electronic resume has become the default format for many employers and job-application systems. Whether you’re pasting a plain-text version into an email, uploading a PDF to a job board, or building a web-based version of your credentials, understanding how to create and optimize an electronic resume is vital. This guide walks you through what it is, why it matters, and how to make yours stand out.
What is an electronic resume?
An electronic resume (sometimes called an “e-resume”) refers broadly to a version of your resume designed for electronic submission or processing. That might include:
- A plain-text document you paste into the body of an email.
- A digital file (Word, PDF) uploaded to a job board or company portal.
- A web-based version or online portfolio that serves as your resume in digital form.
In short, this format is optimized for electronic handling—whether by a human recruiter clicking on a link or by an applicant-tracking system (ATS) parsing your data.
Why does an electronic resume matter?
- Speed and reach: You can submit your credentials instantly online, expanding your potential reach.
- ATS-compatibility: Many employers use software to scan resumes for keywords and relevant data. A clean, properly formatted e-resume improves your chance of passing that initial screening.
- Demonstrates digital fluency: Submitting a well-constructed electronic resume shows you’re comfortable with digital workflows—an increasingly important signal in many roles.
Key components of a strong electronic resume
Ensure your electronic resume includes the following:
- Contact information: Full name, email, phone, city/state (if applicable).
- Professional summary or objective: A brief statement of who you are and what you bring.
- Work experience: Reverse-chronological listing of roles, responsibilities, and accomplishments.
- Skills and competencies: Technical and soft skills relevant to the role.
- Education and certifications: Degrees, institutions, dates, licenses.
- Optional: Links to online portfolios, projects, publications (especially for digital- or creative-focused roles).
If you’re building a web-based version, you might include multimedia or hyperlinks, but for a standard Electronic resume submission keep it straightforward.
Formatting best practices for electronic submission
Because your resume may be handled by computers, not just humans, follow these formatting guidelines:
- Use simple fonts like Times New Roman, Arial, or Helvetica.
- Align text left; avoid centered text, tables, columns, or heavy graphics.
- Avoid bullets that may not parse: prefer hyphens or asterisks over complex symbols.
- Do not include graphics, shading, frames, special characters, or unusual formatting.
- Save or send in file type requested by the employer; common options include .doc, .docx or .pdf, but plain text may also be requested.
- Test the resume by emailing yourself or uploading to an online portal to ensure formatting remains intact.
Keyword strategy and tailoring
Because many electronic resumes are filtered by keyword-search software, it’s essential to:
- Carefully review the job description and mirror key terms used (e.g., “project management,” “stakeholder engagement,” “Java Script”).
- Integrate those keywords naturally into your experience and skills sections. Don’t just list them — show how you applied them.
- Avoid stuffing irrelevant keywords; instead focus on the ones most meaningful for the position.
- Consider including a “Keyword Summary” section if you believe the database will index your resume for those terms.
When to create a printed vs. an electronic version
While the electronic version dominates, there are still times when a printed or nicely formatted visual resume is useful (e.g., an in-person networking event). That said:
- If the job posting indicates submission via email or online portal → Use the electronic version.
- If you’re dropping off a hard copy at a career fair or meeting face-to-face → Consider a polished print version.
- Many experts suggest maintaining both versions: one plain-text/electronic for online submission, and one visually styled for in-person interactions.
How to build your electronic resume: Step-by-step
- Open your current resume and identify core content: experience, skills, education.
- Remove complex formatting (graphics, tables, columns, shading). Convert any bullets to simple hyphens or asterisks.
- Choose a simple font (11–12 point) and align everything left.
- Add relevant keywords drawn from your target job descriptions.
- Create a plain-text version: copy the text into Notepad (or equivalent), then copy back into your Word/Google doc to ensure formatting is clean.
- Save your resume in the preferred format (Word .doc/.docx, PDF, plain-text) and name it clearly (e.g., “Jane-Doe-Resume.docx”).
- Test uploading or emailing it to yourself to check readability and formatting.
- Tailor your electronic resume to each job: swap in keywords or reorder bullet points to match the role.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Using fancy fonts, graphics, or columns that ATS systems cannot parse.
- Centering text or using tabs/indentation that confuse scanning software.
- Forgetting to include relevant keywords or job-specific language.
- Submitting only a printed/resume layout version when an electronic version is requested.
- Not testing how your resume appears when transmitted or uploaded.
Conclusion & next steps
An electronic resume isn’t simply a fancy version of your print resume—it’s purpose-built for the digital hiring ecosystem. By simplifying formatting, aligning your language with job descriptions, and keeping your file clean and accessible, you give yourself a stronger chance of being noticed. Once your electronic resume is ready, you’re also well set to plug into job boards, upload to portals, and engage with talent-acquisition systems. And when you’re set to craft a compelling cover letter to complement it, consider using the AI-powered tool at LetterLab to draft a sharp, tailored message that links perfectly with your resume.