1 An Insider's Guide to Scan-Proofing Your Online Resume
Almost every online job application puts your computer through the scanner before it ever reaches human hands – sad, but true. If your resume isn't organized, or can't be properly read by the computer scanner, your resume might get tossed aside without even being touched by an actual human. If you're a fine match to the job, this is not only a loss to you, but a loss to the company you're applying to. However, you're the one fighting for a job in this economy, so you're the one who needs to make sure your resume gets through the initials traps and red tape. Here's how to change up your resume to make it through the technological trappings of the modern human resources world:
? Use descriptive nouns. Scanners recognize nouns more than verbs. So focus your resume with descriptive nouns that hone in on the job being offered, and how you fit into the description. The more nouns you use, the better your chance that you will hit some or all of the key words that scanner's set up to look for. As a general rule in resume writing, you want to use shorter, more commonly used words. This is essential for resumes read by computer scanners. Their vocabulary may be limited so you don’t want to get too technical or full of jargon.
? Use your section keywords. Include your skill-set, education, experience, talents, abilities, and history. Computer scanners actively look for these sections so your potential employer can see that your resume is broken approriately.
? Keep it simple. Scanners don't like designs or fancy graphics or fonts. If it can't read your resume, your resume may just get thrown out, instead. Use a standard font and basic format when submitting a resume online. Computers c ...