Many companies electronically scan resumes to enter them into databases, you may need a special version of your resume that lends itself to this process.
Here are some tips to make your resume a scanner friendly resume:
• Use a font size of 10 to 14 points.
• Eliminate bullets and substitute with dashes (-) or astericks (*)
• Use a popular, non-decorative typeface such as Helvetica, Times New Roman, or Palatino.
• Avoid italics, underlined text, graphics and shading. Capitalized words and boldface are okay.
• Use horizontal and vertical lines sparingly; they confuse the computer.
• Avoid staples and folds. If you must fold your resume, do not fold on a line of text.
• Always send originals since copies are often forwarded for review.
• Maximize the use of industry-specific terminology and abbreviations. Recruiters will instruct the search-engine dictionary to search for “buzz” words.
• Use a traditional resume format; avoid complex layouts such as double columns.
• Use light-colored paper printed on one side.
• Your name should, of course, be the first text on a resume.
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