Scannable Resumes

Objective: Two elements are important to keep in mind--scanners can misread complex formatting and employers will attempt to retrieve resumes that contain desired key words or phrases.  Maximize the computer’s ability to read and subsequently to find your resume once stored in a database.

Use:	Avoid:
white, standard size paper	columnar layouts (like this!)
standard address format at top	condensed text (letters touching)
one phone number per line	italics, underlining, and boldface
flush left with no tabs	vertical and horizontal lines
plenty of white space	folding and stapling  (mail flat)
keywords, rather than verbs
industry jargon, acronyms, and software known*

*e.g. A traditional resume might say: "Worked closely with writers and account coordinators in the development of client promotional materials." A resume intended for scanning should read: "Art Director creating four color brochures, multimedia presentations, and newspaper ad books."