The Computer-Friendly ResumeThe evolution of technology is changing traditional methods for job searching and recruiting. More and more companies are now relying on computers to initiate process of hiring and are filling their database with candidates with skills that are easily searchable. Traditionally, submitted resumes were first received and sorted by humans. What else, right? But now, for many firms, this step has been handed over to their computers.
To facilitate more efficient hiring, incoming resumes for some large firms are sent to a computerized applicant tracking system to be scanned, or read. The resumes are sorted, categorized and retrieved through data scanning technology and entered into organization’s computing network. Resumes must now be formatted and written in a way so that initial viewer of resume, a computer, can read it. The information contained in this article is a guide toward making your resume “readable” by these scanning systems. This type of resume is referred to as scannable resume.
A scannable resume is more focused on text, or keywords, in document than design. The layout is simplified so that distractions such as font or Internet links do not confuse computer scanner. In order to convert your traditional resume into a scannable resume, follow these simple guidelines.
·Use Arial or Helvetica as your font (10-14 point) ·Take out all underlined, italicized or shadowed type ·Eliminate pictures or Internet links ·Do not include columns or tables ·Print it on white or very light-colored paper ·Use a high quality laser printer ·Include an unfolded original on standard size paper, one sided, with black ink ·Add a key-word qualifications summary