Writing An Electronic Resume

An electronic resume will not be read by an employer until it has, first, been scanned by a computer or typed in. More and more, employers are opting for this method of finding the best candidate for their position.

Even when your qualifications are especially good, and you are very confident that you are the best candidate for the position, unless your resume meets with the standard in formatting, your resume will *not* reach the employer’s desk. Those that are not aware of how to format an electronic resume, even with stellar qualifications, will never be called in for that important interview.

Below are the elements necessary to meet the electronic resume standard:

Write using Nouns and not Verbs -- Nouns are the dominant words in a scannable resume. Use descriptive words such as bookkeeping, supervisor and Pratt & Lambert.

Use of Descriptors -- Use keywords such as education, skill-set, experience, talents and abilities. These are the words employers look for when wanting to fill a position. Use plenty of keywords. The more, the better!

Fancy is Out -- Scan able resumes are very conservatively written. Do not decorate and do not use uncommon typefaces. Use only white or beige paper, do not underline and do not use italics.

Use Simple Design -- The computer will read text and not graphics. Anything that is complex, such as tables and leader dots, should be excluded.

Avoid Abbreviations -- With the exception of very common abbreviations, such as, BA (Bachelor of Arts,) use full terms.

Write your Name First and then your Contact Info on a Separate Line

Make Good use of White Space -- Leave ample space between sections for the computer to pick up that one section has ended and another has started.

Write using Proper Language -- Use common words that all people will understand.

A Two Page Resume is Acceptable -- The hard and fast “one-page” resume rule no longer applies. Electronic resumes run 2 pages in length.

A separate section of this guide will be devoted to a variety of different resume types and formats. This will give you full creative licensee to select what suits you best. Getting the basics down first, though, is every bit as important as the final product that you will create.

The more creative you are be in writing about yourself, your credentials, your experience and everything else of importance to a prospective employer, the better.

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