What Everyone Should Know about Electronic Resumes (e-Resumes)
Resumes formatted for electronic submission provide an excellent opportunity to maximize your exposure.
Electronic resumes are typically formatted in ASCII (plain text) and pasted into the body of an e-mail or entered directly into an online form. Scannable resumes are submitted in paper form and are designed to be scanned into an automated applicant tracking system (resume database), thus changing them into electronic form. Since larger organizations often scan resumes, it is safest to modify your resume to a scannable format when applying to these types of companies as this helps ensure proper scanning. Another type of electronic resume, although less common, is an HTML resume that exists as a Web page; rather than submitting your resume, you would provide employers with a URL address to review your resume. Keep in mind that providing a URL address is not as convenient for employers. Additionally, Web page resumes lack a convenient method of managing applicant documents which many employers prefer.
An employer, based upon the requirements of an opening, will determine which keywords best identify the skills needed in a candidate; the system then allows one to perform a search utilizing the keywords selected. Search engines and data tracking software recognize keywords and phrases differently and may utilize various criteria — including the number, density, and type of keywords — in order to determine the ranking. Resumes that rank the highest will be selected and read by a human reviewer.
Keep in mind that regardless of how you submit your resume, and whether it will first receive a computer screen or be selected by a human reviewer, it is important that your resume be rich in keywords and phrases based upon your industry and objectives.
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