Military to Civilian Resume Sample

The Computer-Friendly Resume

The evolution of technology is changing the traditional methods for job searching and recruiting. More and more companies are now relying on computers to initiate the process of hiring and are filling their database with candidates with skills that are easily searchable. Traditionally, submitted resumes were first received and sorted by humans. What else, right? But now, for many firms, this step has been handed over to their computers.

To facilitate more efficient hiring, incoming resumes for some large firms are sent to a computerized applicant tracking system to be scanned, or read. The resumes are sorted, categorized and retrieved through data scanning technology and entered into the organization's computing network. Resumes must now be formatted and written in a way so that the initial viewer of the resume, a computer, can read it. The information contained in this article is a guide toward making your resume "readable" by these scanning systems. This type of resume is referred to as the scannable resume.

A scannable resume is more focused on the text, or keywords, in the document than the design. The layout is simplified so that distractions such as font or Internet links do not confuse the computer scanner. In order to convert your traditional resume into a scannable resume, follow these simple guidelines.

· Use Arial or Helvetica as your font (10-14 point)

· Take out all underlined, italicized or shadowed type

· Eliminate pictures or Internet links

· Do not include columns or tables

· Print it on white or very light-colored paper

· Use a high quality laser printer

· Include an unfolded original on standard size paper, one sided, with black ink

· Add a key-word qualifications summary

Be sure that you place your name and contact information at the top of the page. Scanners assume that the text at the top is your name and contact information. If you have more than one page for your resume then place your name and a page number on each additional page and attach them with a paper clip, do not use staples.

Even if the following resume characteristics apply specifically to your industry, you must eliminate them. These include columns, newspaper-style designs, landscape printing, and fancy fonts. Scanning system abilities differ from company to company so it's difficult to set boundaries. Some are able to read just about anything and others are confused by the smallest detail. So if you are unaware of the limitations of the system then play it safe and follow the simplest guidelines.

It is not a good idea to fax your resume to the employer. Faxing can reduce the clarity of the text. Unless the employer uses OCR-capable equipment, then avoid faxing. If you are not certain of what equipment they use then send a hard copy in the mail or send an ASCII version by e-mail.

It may seem boring to simplify your resume, but at least it will be easily searchable and hopefully placed in the firm's database to be read. You do not want to take the chance of having your resume thrown out due to a scanning problem. We can only hope that as technology advances the scannable resume will not be so limited!

Established in 1996, MEPatWORK is the leading full-service recruitment solutions provider in the HVAC, sheet metal, refrigeration, control, electrical, plumbing and piping industries. Headquartered in Des Moines, Iowa, this privately held company also has offices in in Chicago and Pittsburgh and specializes in finding top talent for all levels of contracting, wholesale, and manufacturing.

MORE ARTICLES:

Resume Success Factors--What Exactly Is A Resume Anyway?
You know you're good..

VisualCV and Association of Executive Search Consultants Partner in Application of new Resume Technology
Web 2.0 company VisualCV partners with Association of Executive Search Consultants.

Four Simple Steps To Better Results With Your Resume
Is every job description you read the same? No.Is every job you submit your resume to the same? Of course they aren't.

3 Tips For Writing A Great Resume
In most job interview situations, your resume will provide your potential employer with his or her first impression of you. If your resume makes a good first impression, you will move on to the next step in the hiring process. If not, your resume will likely be filed and you will never have the opportunity to progress to an actual interview. For this reason, it is essential that you take the time to create a resume that will make the first impression you need it to make.

It's from Texas, and itzbig: Austin Start-Up Challenges the Resume "Black Hole" with New Online Web 2.0 Application
Allowing for anonymous real-time evaluation of the market demand for your job skills, the career experts at itzbig think they've created the perfect Plan B for "quiet working professionals."

Talent Technology Releases New Version of its Market Leading Resume Extraction Technology
Updated version of resume extraction engine delivered with new customer-driven features, enhancements and improved internationalization capabilities. Product continues to set industry benchmark for features, extraction accuracy and robustness.

Three Myths About Resume Writing
Your perspective on resumes – what they are and how they function – will doubtless influence how well you can write your own. To create an outstanding resume, begin by questioning and replacing some of the commonly held assumptions about resume writing.

A Resume for Disaster.. How Not to Land a Work at Home Job
After running a successful telecommuting site for over 8 years and an employment agency before that, I still get that one question over and over. "Why have I not been able to land a work at home job?" My first answer is always the same. "Let's look at your resume."

Creating a Winning Resume
Preparing your resume can often seem like a daunting task. You've done your research, but there is so much information, and how do you pick from the countless formats?!Writing your resume doesn't have to be so scary, in fact, if you keep a few simple tips in mind, you'll keep yourself ahead of the competition.

Why a Professional Resume?
As a job search tool your Resume is your main calling card. It explains who you are and what you have to offer.

5 Resume Mistakes Telecommuters Often Make
Finding a legit telecommute job can be difficult. Telecommute jobs are in high demand and hundreds if not thousands of other people are competing for the same position.

Resume 101
Whether you've been downsized, are looking for a career change or are just starting out, your resume speaks volumes about you. If your resume doesn't make it past the first cut, you're doomed; no matter how qualified you are.

Resume Tips For Career Fairs And Online Job Banks
If you?re all set to attend a career fair ? or are looking to post your resume on an online job bank ? and are concerned about how to create a resume for companies you have yet to meet, you are not alone Fortunately, there are ways to create great resumes capable of catching the eyes of potential recruiters no matter what venue you?re working with

Write Resume Keywords That Gets Your Application Read
As children we often used to read stories where magical words can open caves filled with treasures or magicians using words like abracadabra..