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Tips

The electronic resume or e-resume, is an important tool for today's job seeker. Many employers prefer to receive a resume either by e-mail or by placement of the resume into a searchable database from their website. Many companies post job openings on their websites and expect candidates to respond electronically. Most database programs do not accept a standard formatted resume so you need to have other versions to use. Job search experts recommend you keep duplicates of your resume in each of these versions or formats.

1. A Printable Version, designed with bulleted lists, italicized text, and other highlights, ready to print and mail or hand to potential contacts and interviewers.
   
   
2. A Plain Text Version, a plain text file ready to copy and paste into online forms or post in online resume databases. This is also referred to as an ASCII copy.
   
   
3. An E-mail Version, another plain text copy, but this one is specifically formatted for the length-of-line restrictions in e-mail. This is also an ASCII copy.

Some things you need to know about E-Resumes

• In today's electronic world, having one is close to essential. Especially if you are applying to on-line positions. There are many websites to assist you with developing an e-resume.
  
  
• Make sure the sites you post with have privacy and confidentiality protections in place.
  
  
• Your e-resume should emphasize keywords. Many employers depend on keywords to match candidates to job openings. Many larger companies have the technology to digitize resumes or scan them to place resumes in keyword searchable databases and then use their own software to search for specific keywords required to fill a position.
  
  
• A good way to incorporate many keywords without listing them word for word is to put them into accomplishments. Many successful resumes are accomplishment driven.
  
  
• Use what you can to make it more attractive. E-resumes are usually stripped down to the very basics of plain text and are absent of any attractive word-processing tactics.  So, use basic text characters to make sure it looks nice and flows well. You can use the characters that appear on the basic keyboard, such as asterisks (*), hyphens (-), carats (>) etc., to make bullets and can use uppercase letters to emphasize areas.
  
  
• Each company or job search site usually has specific instructions on how to post your resume. Some you may be able to add a text-based cover letter. Others may limit the size of the document. Follow any directions they provide.
  
  
• Practice and test your results. Send your e-resume to a few different computers to make sure the formatting is consistent.

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