I have submitted numerous electronic resumes throughout my career, as they play a crucial role in the job search process. It can be nerve-wracking to ensure that everything is done correctly. Questions often arise, such as: Does this meet the submission requirements? Did I use the correct font? Will my resume surpass the employer’s applicant tracking system (ATS)? If you also want to increase your chances of standing out and securing an interview, here’s how to optimize your electronic resumes.
Table of Contents:
1. What is an electronic resume?
2. The Benefits of Electronic Resumes
3. How to Make an Electronic Resume
4. Electronic Resume Tips
What is an electronic resume?
An electronic resume refers to any resume that is submitted online. Employers may request electronic resumes in plain text (ASCII), HTML, or PDF formats. This facilitates easy scanning and interpretation by applicant tracking systems (ATSs) that receive numerous resumes. To meet these requirements, electronic resumes are typically created with limited design or formatting.
The Benefits of Electronic Resumes:
In my experience, electronic resumes have helped me refine my approach to better position myself for a job. I have found that tailoring my resume to the job posting, using simple fonts, and including keywords increases my chances of landing an interview. Here are a few benefits of using electronic resumes:
1. Matching the ATS: Only 30% of resumes are accepted by ATSs. However, when done correctly, ATS-approved resumes yield successful results. Rodolphe Dutel, the founder of remote job board Remotive, shared an incredible story about his experience with electronic resumes. He revealed that his electronic resume was the sole reason he landed a role at Google, as it was picked up by the ATS and led to contact from the company.
2. Focusing on content: Early in my career, I created an over-the-top resume to compensate for my lack of work experience. Looking back, it would have been better to focus on showcasing my strengths. With electronic resumes, the limited formatting forces you to concentrate on the actual skills and results you can bring to a new role.
3. Demonstrating ability to follow instructions: Employers value applicants who pay attention to details and follow instructions. Your resume is the first impression you make, so using an electronic submission to stand out and show your ability to follow instructions can start your interview process on a positive note.
How to Make an Electronic Resume:
To demonstrate how to create an electronic resume, let’s use a specific job posting as an example. The job listing is for a content writer at Orchard. Here’s how I would structure my electronic resume for this position:
1. Start with your contact information:
– Name: Sam Lauron
– Location: Austin, TX (Remote)
– Email: sam@email.com
– Phone: (111) 222-3333
2. Mention your education:
– B.A. Mass Communication, Public Relations
– Texas State University
3. Identify your target keywords:
To catch the attention of the ATS, incorporate keywords mentioned in the job posting. For the Orchard content writer position, the keywords include “content writer,” “content strategy,” “SEO marketing,” “SEO best practices,” “content marketing,” and “real estate.”
4. Highlight your skills:
Tailor your skills section to match the job listing. In this case, the skills to highlight include “content writing,” “search engine optimization (SEO),” “real estate industry knowledge,” “homeownership,” “writing explainer content,” and “updating and optimizing content.”
5. Describe your work experience:
Use language and keywords from the job posting to describe your own experience. For the Orchard content writer role, the work experience should include writing educational explainer content, updating and optimizing older articles, conducting research for data-based articles, and executing SEO best practices.
Electronic Resume Tips:
Based on my experience, here are some tips for optimizing your electronic resume:
1. Use keywords: Incorporate keywords from the job posting to increase the chances of your resume being picked up by ATSs. However, ensure that the keywords make sense in the context of your experience.
2. Keep context in mind: While ATSs look for keywords, humans are looking for experiences that make sense. If you struggle to fit keywords into your work experience section, consider adding a separate section at the bottom of your electronic resume to highlight other skills and include relevant keywords.
3. Avoid excessive formatting: Stick to simple fonts and limit design elements to ensure compatibility with ATSs.
4. Tailor your resume: Adjust your skills and work experience sections to match the job listing, showcasing how your experience aligns with the requirements of the role.
By following these tips and creating a well-optimized electronic resume, you can increase your chances of standing out and securing an interview.
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