TECHNOLOGY AND RESUMES
Technology has made a significant difference in the area of resumes. Many companies have automated tracking systems that require a different type of resume. The "Scannable" resumes, or key word resumes, are resumes that are designed to automatically track job applicants by entering their information into a computerized database. Any resume formats may be used if a company is going to scan it, but some hiring firms recommend using the chronological form because it often works better with some of the software that is used. The scanning program searches for key words or phrases relevant to the positions available. It is highly recommended that you write two types of resumes: scannable and a traditional type.
The chart below highlights the differences.
TRADITIONAL
SCANNABLE
Use action verbs that reflect job responsibilities
Designed and implemented project
Use nouns
Project Manager
Use qualifying adjectives
Achieved goals, guided team to successful result, demonstrated products, centralized, coordinated, solved problems
Use key words, short phrases, and industry jargon
Leadership, oral communication skills, problem solver, self-starter, trouble shooter, designer, customer trainer
Use highest level skill
Successfully designed and coordinated with production team nine new products
List specific skills
CAD Designer skilled in auto desk team leader, follow-through, conflict manager, design to meet specifications problem solver
Use eye catching format underlining, shadows, reverse colors use borders or header lines
Use simple clean style. Avoid all fancy text. Do not use vertical or horizontal lines
Put list in columns
Do not use columns
Use tabs and spacing for sub heads
Avoid tabs
Use different font sizes for emphasis
Use 12 pt or 14 pt font size
