Resume Scanning Hints
Many employers use computer scanning devices to quickly evaluate large numbers of resumes. Follow these tips to improve your chances of getting past the scanner:
- Place your name at the top of every page
- List each phone number on a separate line
- Left justification only, not centered or right margin justified
- Spell correctly, as employers search resumes by keywords
- Retain spacing between lines without condensing
- Use acronyms and spell out the full name
- Be consistent with font style and size throughout the document
- Use a font style like Arial or Tahoma and font sizes of 10 to 14 points
- Use asterisks (*) or hyphens (-) instead of bullets
- Eliminate use of typeface treatments, like italics, underline, and shadows
- Avoid parentheses or brackets
- Avoid vertical and horizontal lines, graphs, and boxes
- Provide a laser-printed original (a high-quality photocopy is acceptable)
- Print one side only, white 8.5 x 11 paper
- Leave resume flat without folds or staples
Here is a sample scannable resume: Sample Scannable Resume