How to Optimize Your Resume’s Scanability

Stick to the essentials! Maintain a professional and tight presentation and do away with unnecessary elements, usually included for aesthetic reasons both when it comes to formatting the resume and in deciding for its content.

A "scannable" resume will require the same content as an ordinary resume: objective, qualifications, work experience, education, brief personal information, and contact details. You still have the freedom to customize the arrangement of these elements according to your particular employment context, but you must make sure to place your name at the very top of the first page of your resume

Use standard terms that are used in the particular industry you intend to be part of – from your academic background to your personal qualities, or your professional skills. You will also benefit from including a section that concentrates on your professional skills. The more key words and phrases you use, the better the computer scanning system will recognize you as a potential employee.

Formatting is equally, if not more important, a consideration.

• The font must be in standard series
• Sans serif fonts between 10 to 14 points
• Text body should be in left or justified format
• Keep from underlining, italicizing, or bolding words and phrases, use capitalization instead for headings and emphasis
• Lines, graphics, signs, shading, bullets, over-manipulated spacing and similar decorative elements is also discouraged.
• The paper must be of standard size, ideally 8 ½ by 11 inches and in plain white
• When sending your resume, be sure that it is an original and high quality print, on an 8 ½ by 11 inches plain white paper with no folds, staples, or other markings