LEARN TO THINK NOUNS NOT VERBS
Action words such as accelerated, arbitrated and launched are out. In scannable resumes, nouns are dominant. Computers search for descriptive words such as accounting, manager, Price Waterhouse.
USE LABELS OR KEYWORDS
Keywords are an extension of the noun concept and are also called buzzwords or descriptors. Keywords are words employers search for when trying to fill a position. They are the essential characteristics required to do the job: education, experience, skills, knowledge and abilities. The more keyword
marketing points you present about yourself, the more likely you are to be chosen from an electronic resume database now or in a year from now.
LESS IS MORE
Avoid decorative or uncommon typefaces. Don't Underline. Stick to white or beige paper. Steer away from italics.
KEEP THE DESIGN SIMPLE
Avoid graphics and shading -- the equipment is set to read "text" not "graphics." If you use complex tables with leader dots (...), computers may trip over them.
MINIMIZE USE OF ABBREVIATIONS
Except the more common ones like BA (Bachelor of Arts). Do, however, maximize the use of industry jargon.
PUT NAME FIRST AND CONTACT INFORMATION ON SEPARATE
LINE
USE WHITE SPACE
Computers like white space. They use it to recognize that one topic has ended and another has begun.
USE COMMON LANGUAGE
Not all systems have a full-fledged synonym table so try to maximize the "hits" between a position search and your resume by using words everyone knows.
A ONE PAGE RESUME IS NO LONGER A HARD AND FAST RULE
Three pages, maybe four, is about the maximum an electronic resume should be.
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