| Scannable resumes |
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| What are they
and do I need one? |
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"Scannable resume"
refers to a document that can be successfully scanned using technology
that scans your document as a graphic image and then converts it
back to text. This enabled employers to receive hard-copy resumes,
get that resume information into a database, and retrieve it later. |
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Certain formatting would
enable your resume document to be successfully scanned and not misread.
Essentially, instead of doing things that would make your resume
appealing to the human eye, you would keep very simple format. |
| • |
In the late 1990s and
early 2000s many employers requested that students and other job
candidates have scannable resumes. In the last few years, we've
heard little to nothing about this. It seems that most employers
who want to retain your resume information in a database will have
a process for you to do that online via their organization web sites. |
| • |
So bottom line,
is you probably don't need one.
But we wanted to have this information in case you hear about this
topic and wonder. |
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| What if an employer
asks for one? |
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IF by chance you
hear of an employer asking for a so-called "scannable resume,"
we strongly urge you to consult the employer's web site for guidance,
and if there's no guidance there, ask the employer for guidance. |
|
And IF someone tells you
that you need to submit a scannable resume, use these formatting
methods: |
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No italics, no underlining, no shading,
or other unusual enhancements.
No bold or ALL CAPS. It's unnecessary; the scanner does not differentiate
between this and other font styles. |
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One font style and size throughout the document.
Use a sans serif font, like Arial or Tahoma. These are fonts that
do not have the small markings on the edge of each letter (serifs). |
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Don’t use serif fonts, like Times
New Roman or Book Antiqua. |
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On font size, use 10, 11, or 12. Be aware that
font sizes are not created equal. A 10-point Arial is not the same
as a 10-point Century Gothic. |
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No vertical or horizontal lines, graphics, or boxes. |
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No bullets. You may use asterisks
(*) or hyphens (-). |
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No parentheses or brackets. |
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Even spacing throughout the document.
No tabs. |
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Don't condense spacing between letters. |
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Left justification only. No centering
or right margin justification. |
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Avoid two-column format or resumes
that look like newspapers or newsletters. |
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Going beyond one page is acceptable.
Place your name on each page. |
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On the first page, place your address(es)
below your name. |
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If including two phone numbers, list
each on a separate line. |
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Print your resume with a laser printer.
Provide the employer with an original or high quality photocopy
on white paper. No texture or watermark on the paper. Avoid paper
with heavy texture that could interfere with the clarity of the
print. |
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Don't print on two sides of one page. |
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When mailing your information, do
not fold or use staples. Put resume and cover letter in a 9 x 12
envelope and paper clip them together. You may insert blank sheets
(or cardstock or cardboard) surrounding your documents to reduce
wrinkling. |
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Scannable resume content: |
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Scanned resumes are typically retrieved using keyword
searches. You need to research your industry and/or the requirements
of the jobs you are seeking to make sure you've included appropriate
information. Each time you apply for a job, review the position
description. Make sure key terms that are included in the position
description are also included in your resume where appropriate.
You may revise your resume slightly for different positions or keep
several versions of your resume if you are applying for different
types of jobs. |
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• |
It is not necessary to include a section entitled
"keywords." A search will locate words in any part of
your resume. |
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Some keyword examples are:
Accounting, chemical engineer, manager, BS or BA (to identify individuals
with a bachelor's degree), MS, MA, PhD, process modeling, trainer,
Spanish, C++, co-op, PowerPoint, etc. |
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Be specific. For example, list the names of software
you use such as Microsoft Word or Excel, instead of listing software
packages. |
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Use terms and acronyms specific to the industry.
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In listing acronyms, it's wise to spell out the
full name; i.e., IEEE, Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers.
Either way the employer chooses to search for this information,
your text will be found. |
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Going beyond one page is okay for resumes used
strictly for scanning. Be concise, but use more than one page if
necessary to include all relevant information. |
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Misspelled words will not be found in a keyword
search.
If you misspell a critical word, you have effectively left it off
your resume for the purposes of retrieval after scanning.
As with any resume, typos are unacceptable. |
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Sample
scannable resume
(PDF file; requires Adobe Acrobat Reader. Get
it free if it is not already installed on your computer.) |
