What Is Scannable Resume?

If you've got a resume full of keywords and nothing else, you might be better off just carrying out an ad in the newspaper. But if you want to get your foot in the door—or at least get someone to read your resume—you need to consider making it scannable. A scannable resume is a résumé that can be searched optically in hard copy by a computer reader in order to collect the information included in the resume into a database. These resumes were common at the time when firms scanned paper documents in search of employment information to hire new workers. These days, though, most companies use electronic scanners instead of paper ones so that they can search resumes by keyword as well as by name. This means that you should be thinking about keywords when writing your resume. Make sure your knowledge matches up with the job description! The best way to do this is using action words like "organized" and "implemented." Suppose you're applying for an administrative assistant position but haven't used any words in describing your past jobs. In that case, you can bet that no one will ever see your application because they won't know what makes you stand out from other candidates. The scannable resume has a lot going for it. It's digital, so that means computers can read it and not only that—computers can scan it. But the scannable resume is not just any old digital document. It is a highly specialized document with different rules and expectations than other overview types and covers letters. Suppose you're planning on submitting your resume electronically. In that case, you should know how to ensure it scans appropriately and meets the standards the company or organization receives. That way, your chances of getting an interview will increase!