Scannable Resume Design

Scannable Resume Design

Part One：The Basics

Place a call to your favorite store or bank,and you’re usually dealing with voicemail and automated menus,rather than a real person.The same is now true when you send your resume to the HR department of major corporations (and even some smaller companies).Because many candidates apply for one opening,software is used to “weed out”those who don’t match the job criteria.

To make the most of your job search,it’s essential for your resume to be in a format that can be read by Optical Character Recognition (OCR)software.Sound daunting?It doesn’t have to be when you know the tricks of the trade in creating a modern resume.

OCR Technology

Optical Character Recognition (OCR)was developed in the 70’s by Ray Kurzweil.Although Mr.Kurzweil’s intent was to develop a machine to help the visually impaired read printed materials,OCR technology has since become indispensable in modern business.

With OCR,it’s a compu ter,not a human being,which will be scanning your resume for appropriate content.Since machines are

not impressed by font styles and other formatting enhancements,content is all-important,as is the presentation of your document in a scanner-friendly manner.

Name

It’s wise to put your name on each page of your scannable resume.Why?If one of the pages gets separated,it will be nearly impossible to know where it might belong.It’s best to avoid this situation by putting your name at the top of each page,along with a page number.

Contact Information

In addition to your street address,include an e-mail address.Choose an address that’s businesslike in tone,rather that one reflecting a special interest or a nickname.For example,the following are inappropriate：

“You have become proud since your fall broke you to pieces，”said Major-general-field-sergeant-commander Billy-goat's-legs.“You have no reason to give yourself such airs.Am Ito have her or not?”

Always be professional —and avoid using work e-mail addresses.Hiring managers are rarely interested in interviewing someone who is using their current employer’s time to look for another job.