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Resume Writing Tips
 
   
 

 
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  • Resume Writing Tips:
  • Tailoring Your Resume
  • Keyword Searching
  • Format for Uploading and Scanning
In order to capture the attention of employers and recruiters today, your resume must do more than simply list your job skills and accomplishments.

A growing number of companies are electronically scanning resumes for certain keywords to determine which candidates they will contact for the next phase of the hiring process. These tips can help ensure your resume makes it past the initial screening phase and into the hands of a hiring manager.

The tabbed links above provide you with details on:
  • Tailoring Your Resume
  • Keyword Searching
  • Formatting for Uploading and Scanning
Click on any of the resume writing tabbed links above to learn more.
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Tailoring Your Resume
Even if you're happy in your current position, you should always be thinking about what you could be doing right now to make your next job even better.   Upgrade your skills to include those that are most in demand in your field.   Volunteer to participate on projects outside your current group.   You never know, you may end up working with someone who becomes your next manager or co-worker.

Already searching for a new position?  Here are some things to keep in mind if you want potential employers to really notice your resume.
  • Tailor your resume for each position by highlighting technical qualifications that match specific job requirements.
  • Honestly summarize your familiarity and experience with specific technologies.
  • Emphasize any certifications or advanced training.
  • Highlight ways in which you improved productivity, reduced costs, increased efficiency, or otherwise impacted the bottom line.
  • Clearly show areas where you have been given increased responsibility for a job well done.
  • Note special recognition, awards or participation in relevant trade or professional organizations.
  • Update your resume to list recent accomplishment. Keep your references up to date.
  • Revise your resume after every position or consulting engagement.
 
Send questions or comments about this Web site to the  Consumer Science & Design Technologies Dept's  Web Content Manager .
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Keyword Searching
How can you increase the chances of your resume being noticed by a hiring manager or recruiter?  Be sure it contains appropriate keywords that will increase the amount of "hits" it receives during an electronic search.

Here are some tips for creating a winning resume:
  • Read the job description to determine which keywords to include.   Use the same keywords consistently throughout your resume.
  • Summarize specific technologies such as programming languages, databases, operating environments and hardware at the top of your resume.
  • Include phrases that link to specific job responsibilities, such as "help desk," "data modeling," "web development" and "system administration."
 
Send questions or comments about this Web site to the  Consumer Science & Design Technologies Dept's  Web Content Manager .
Use of this Web server is subject to the Mt. San Antonio College Terms of Use  and  Privacy Policy .

Formatting for Uploading and Scanning
When submitting your resume to a potential employer, it's absolutely critical to save it in a format that can be easily read by the company's computer system.   If possible, enclose your resume as text within your e-mail message and include the title of the position you seek in the subject line.

Here are some other ways to increase the chances of your resume being received and reviewed successfully.
  • Sending an ASCII version
    • Use plain text format with no formatting.
    • Avoid using bullets, underlines, bold or italics [Suitable ASCII characters would be dashes (-), asterisks (*) and arrows (>)]
    • Convert the text to 10-point Courier or other fixed-width font.
    • Set the page width to 4-3/4".
    • Limit line lengths to 80 characters or less.
  • Sending an RTF file attachment
    • Contact recipients to find out which word processing software they use, then send your resume in the same program if possible. When in doubt, send an ASCII file.
    • Formats such as bolding and bullets will be saved in an RTF file.
  • How to Format for Employers Who Scan Hardcopy Resumes
    • Mail an original copy without folds or staples. A faxed resume may not scan.
    • Left justify the entire document.
    • Avoid graphics, italics, underlining, bold and shading.
    • Parenthesis, brackets, horizontal or vertical lines will not scan properly.
    • Do not use compressed lines of print.
    • Use a sans serif font in size 10-14.
 
Send questions or comments about this Web site to the  Consumer Science & Design Technologies Dept's  Web Content Manager .
Use of this Web server is subject to the Mt. San Antonio College Terms of Use  and  Privacy Policy .
 
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