Scannable résumés. Today, to manage a large number of applicants and speed up the hiring process, many employers scan the résumés they receive into a database using optical character recognition (OCR) software.

These résumés are stored in automated electronic applicant tracking system databases, usually from six months up to one year. When job vacancies occur, employers search the database for qualified candidates by using key words, focusing on specific skills, experience, and education.

Scannable résumés have a plain format and emphasize key words.

The secret in making your résumé effective in a computer search is to use as many valid keywords as possible on your résumé. Many computer searches select impersonal nouns. These nouns answer the question of whether you can do the job.

Who Scans Resumes?

Based on data derived from U.S. Department of Labor reports, about 2/3 of all people work in small organizations. Electronic scanning and database systems are expensive still, costing up to $100,000; many of these small businesses don't use scanning systems because it's too costly and their demand isn't high enough. Still, as the technology comes down in price, more will. It is worth knowing about this type of résumé.

 

 

 

Figure 1 source: http://www.provenresumes.com/reswkshps/electronic/scnres.html

Although experts disagree about listing keywords in a separate section, doing so can help you focus on your skills/achievements/talents.

Tips for Writing:

• Focus on nouns, not verbs. Computers search for key words, "words that define the requisites of a particular job" (Kennedy 49). Unlike paper résumés, where you use verbs to "impress" humans, scannable résumés focus on matching what those humans type into a computer - typically, nouns.

• Think in terms of the language used inndustry terms: buzzwords and jargon work here. (If you do not know what those terms are, for your desired job, find out--Informational interviewing is a very effective way to get that information). Consider job titles, departments, key functions, relevant personality traits, computer hardware and software, programming languages, academic degrees, fields of study, and foreign languages.

• Keep it simple--follow the tips for production.

Tips for Production:

• Place your name at the top of the page on its own line; it should be the first item read on every page.

• List each phone number, e-mail address, or WWW on separate lines.

• Use popular, nondecorative typefaces (Palatino, Helvetica, Futura, Univers, Times New Roman, Courier, or Century Schoolbook).

• Use a font size of 10 to 14 points (12 to 14 is best). Avoid Times New Roman 10 point; it is too difficult to read when scanned.

• Avoid italic text, script, or underlined passages. Capitalized and boldface words are fine if used wisely.

• Avoid graphics or shading. Don't compress spaces between letters.

• Avoid rectangles.

• Avoid horizontal or vertical lines.

• Avoid two-column, newspaper, or newsletter formats.

• Use white or light-colored 8.5 x 11 inch paper; print on one side only.

• Do not fold or staple.

 

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This data is gathered from several sources:

Joyce Kennedy. "Computer-Friendly Resume Tips." Planning Job Choices: 1997. E49.

Kristen Woolever, Writing for the Technical Professions. New York: Longman, 1998. 499.