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Career Services

Electronic Resumes

Adapted from Chapman University

Advances in scanning and image technology have started a revolution in the collection, storage and management of resumes. Through this technology, many businesses and organizations have begun using scanners to screen their job applicants.

Now, not only should you have a presentable version of your resume for interviewers, but also a data attractive version for the computer. In other words, you will need to develop two versions of your resume: a visually attractive resume and a scannable resume.

At one time it was acceptable to send multiple copies to an employer, each showing your talents for a different position. With today's advanced technologies and computer database systems, submitting multiple resumes may only succeed in flagging you as "high risk" or "unfocused".

How it works

Resumes are received by the employer and are scanned into a computer. The computer "reads" each resume, looking for keywords, and files the resume in its system. When a job opening needs to be filled, the employer tells the computer what keywords to look for, the computer finds all of the resumes that match those keywords, and the resumes are ranked by number of matched keywords.

When writing a scannable resume, many of the rules for a traditional resume apply. The secret of a successful scannable resume is the use of the keywords that employers are searching for. This is not an easy task as many keywords vary from employer to employer.

Content

A scannable resume will resemble a non-scannable resume with a few exceptions.

Keyword/summary section
This should be a short, strong opening paragraph. Indicate your key experiences and your strongest skills.
Identification
List your name, address, telephone, fax number, and email address on separate lines, any formatting may confuse the computer.
Objective
Indicate what your specific goals are and what position you're looking to fill.
Education, experience, activities/interests, accomplishments, and references
Like a traditional, written resume, these sections should include past work experience, education, volunteer positions, internships, awards, etc.

Keywords

What you include in your resume is how the computer will file your information. Where traditional resumes use action verbs to interest the reader, scannable resumes uses nouns to attract attention. Employers will search for words such as job titles, familiar acronyms, company names, organizations, degrees, etc. What the employer will search for is unknown, you can only make reasonable assumptions about what a specific employer will ask for.

It is even more critical now that you research the company and position you are applying for. If you know the requirements of the job, you can be sure to include the keywords on your resume.

Keyword samples by occupation

Accounting Manager Manager BS accounting CPA Accounts payable Accounts receivable Salesperson BS/BA Exceeded quota Will travel	Writer Copy editing Creative Writing Editing Journalism Technical Writing
Teacher Adult education GED Instructional Special Education Computer Aided Testing TV/Movie Arts Concept design Costuming TV Creative Development	Advertising/Communications Articles Promotional material Sales promotion Cable television Quark Express

Samples of frequently requested interpersonal traits:

ability to delegate
ability to implement
ability to plan
ability to train
accurate
adaptable
aggressive work
analytical ability
assertive
communication skills
competitive
conceptual ability
creative
customer oriented
detail minded
ethic
flexible
follow through
high energy

innovative
leadership
multitasking
open communication
open minded
oral communication
organizational skills
persuasive
problem solving
public speaking
results oriented
risk taking
safety conscious
self accountable
sensitive
supportive
takes initiative
team player
willing to travel

Format

Less is more! The best scannable resumes are simple, unadorned, uncluttered and unpretentious.

Simple structured format
Single space text
Double space between main headings
Use plain font: courier or palatino.
Use a laser printer
White paper, 81/2 x 11
Headlines are 12 pt. bold face and the rest is in 10 pt. regular

Tips of the Trade

Use future dates when listing education, if applicable, omitting the word "expected".
Avoid bullets, boxes, lines, italics, boldface, and underline.
Avoid ambiguous phrases and vague word choice (example: "responsible for project organization" becomes "organized series of projects for marketing new line of software.")
Avoid using a passive voice (example: "experience with blueprints" becomes "drafted construction blueprints")
Use specific names of tools, instruments, software you have used such as Excel, FileMaker Pro, WordPerfect for Windows
Maximize industry terminology and jargon - only if widely used.
State quantitative terms and measurable results (example: managed 14 commercial brokers
Always send originals

An Exception to the Rule

One page is no longer the rule of resume length for scannable resumes. If you have the background and experience, the more keyword points you present about yourself, the more likely you are to be matched to a position by the computer.

RESUME SAMPLES

Sample 1

Michael J. Stark
2121 Avenue J
Yorba Linda, CA 92686
(714) 654-1254
myork@myemail.com

KEYWORDS

Physical Therapy. Physical Therapy Aide. Hospital Aide. UAP staff. Human Anatomy. Human Physiology. Children with Disabilities. Aquatic Routine. BA Biology. Chapman University.

GOAL

Seeking a position as a Physical Therapy Aide. Wish to work at a hospital in unlicensed assistive personnel pool. My long-term goal is to become a registered physical therapist. Service to others is the keystone of my life.

EDUCATION

Hold a Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology, concentration in human anatomy and human physiology, from Chapman University, 1995.

RELEVANT EXPERIENCE

Service as a physical therapy aide working with children with serious disabilities; performed basic physical therapy routines to facilitate physical movements.
Implemented adaptive acquatic routines with an adult who is physically disabled.
Assisted in supervising recreational activities of children and adults who have mild to severe mental retardation, as volunteer at city-sponsored specialized recreation program.
Instructed basic academic subjects in classroom for learning delayed children.
Recorded academic performance of special education students.

EMPLOYMENT HISTORY

1995 to present - Teacher
Collinwood Day School, Tustin, CA

1990 to 1995 - Personal Care Attendant
Morgan Senior Center, Placentia, CA

1989 to 1990 - Instructional Assistant
Orange County Public School District

Sample 2

Virginia Thompson
201 Larkspur
Pleasant Hill, CA 92503
(619) 654-7948
vthompso@nexus.chapman.edu

KEYWORDS: Child Care. Teacher. Early Childhood Development. Mathematics Teacher. Private School. Day Care Center. Primary Age Students. Natural Science. Reading. Drawing. Elementary. Education. MA Degree. BA Degree. San Diego State University. University of New Mexico.

OBJECTIVE: Position in child care or teaching at a university observational school or day care center - preferably at a school where I can complete my doctorate in Early Childhood Development.

SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS: Successful with the challenge of teaching groups of children. Patient, confident, and committed to working with children. Teaching credentials in two states: California and Arizona.

TEACHING EXPERIENCES: Taught junior-high age students in all mathematics subjects; taught math to primary age students; tutored teenagers in natural science subjects. Supervised 4- and 5-year-old children, teaching them basic skills in reading and drawing.

EMPLOYMENT HISTORY:

1992 to present	-	Hilltop Middle School, Rochelle, CA
1988 to 1992	-	Larkspur Elementary School, Atwater, CA
1985 to 1988	-	Madison Junior High, Phoenix, AZ
1982-1985	-	Duke Elementary School, Mesa, AZ

EDUCATION AND CREDENTIALS:
1994 - Ed.D. Studies, two years, UCLA
1982 - Master of Arts, Education, Chapman University
1980 - Bachelor of Arts, Education, University of Minnesota
Fully credentialed in the states of California and Arizona