Whether you're applying to a company that uses automated tracking systems or paying to have your resume loaded onto a resume bank, keep your resume simple. The same elaborate formatting that makes your resume beautiful for the human eye to behold makes it impossible for a computer to understand. Additionally, if you get too complicated with bullet points and subheads, your resume may become impossible to follow.

Font Size and Style

Stick to a basic font — this is no time to express your creativity. Choose a nondecorative font with clear, distinct characters, like Times New Roman or Courier. It's more difficult for a scanner to accurately pick up decorative fonts like script (which you should also avoid on a conventional resume). Usually the results are unintelligible letters and words.

A font size of 12 points is ideal. Don't go below 10 points, as type that's too small may not scan well.

When formatting an electronic resume you should not use italics or underlining. You can generally use boldface type. If you are asked to avoid that as well, use capital letters instead to set off major section headings like “Experience” and “Education.”

Layout and Length

Avoid the temptation to use lines and graphics to liven up what is an otherwise visually uninteresting resume. A resume scanner will try to “read” graphics, lines, and shading as text, resulting in computer chaos. Also avoid nontraditional layouts, like two-column formats.

As mentioned previously, you should keep your resume to one page in length. Use concise phrases that include keywords that are pertinent to the job you want. That said, don't try to compress space between letters, words, or lines to fit everything on one page — this makes it more difficult for the computer to read. Leave plenty of space between sections.

Abbreviations

Most resume-scanning systems recognize a few common abbreviations, like BS, MBA, and state names, with or without periods. Widely used acronyms for industry jargon, like A/R and A/P on an accounting resume, are also generally accepted, although it's advisable to spell out most abbreviations. If there's any question about whether an abbreviation is standard, play it safe and spell it out.

Paper and Printing

Sometimes you may be asked to send your resume by snail mail, but are told it will be scanned into an automated system. If you are asked to send a hard copy, don't bother to print it on expensive paper. Use standard, 20-pound, 8fi- by-11-inch paper. Because your resume needs to be as sharp and legible as possible, use black ink on white paper. Make sure the result is letter quality. Always send an original, not a photocopy, and mail your resume rather than faxing it.