All About E-Resumes

Technological knowledge is vital today. Therefore many companies use and prefer to use electronic resumes, or rather, electronically submitted resumes. This takes the human factor out of the equation and ensures that the search is based solely on skills.

Resumes sent electronically are scanned and reviewed using "dictionaries" developed by the hiring company. These are essentially collections of keywords they're looking to match. This process operates in a manner similar to the way any Internet search engine works. Therefore, it is very important that you review the ads to which you are responding and utilize the same words they have placed in the ad as required skills.

Writing Style

Resume tracking systems sort using key words for skills. These resumes are scanned for information about skills, expertise, and credentials rather than the action-oriented accomplishments that are the core of traditional resume. So, for this version only, focus on nouns, not action verbs. Instead of writing "audited," reframe your information to include the word "auditor." instead of "managed," use "management," and "trained" becomes "training." Make sure the key words in the ad are in your resume.

List credentials liberally, along with software packages you know well. Here, the more information you include the greater the likelihood of scoring a hit with the employer's tracking software.

This type of resume requires attention to design. You need to make sure it will look good on a computer screen. It should be left justified, not centered. And give it white space to facilitate scanning. The best way to ensure this resume comes across to the hiring company is to send it as an attached WORD document. Do not send it in any other format since it will probably not arrive as you wish it to be viewed and therefore will not be scanned properly.

Always follow-up an digital resume with a hard copy. Write directly on the top, "This is a hard copy of a previously submitted electronic resume." As we have recommended elsewhere on this site, use old-fashioned paper and pen and the US mail for this follow up. Most of your competition won't so this will help set you apart. Also, adding this thoughtful, personal touch will help to balance the unavoidably impersonal impression digital resumes create.