I have submitted hundreds of electronic job applications throughout my career. The digital applications are so important in the job-search process. It’s nerve-wracking trying to make sure you’re doing everything correctly.
Do I meet the requirements for submission? Use the correct font. Will my resume outperform the employer’s applicant tracking system?
What is an electronic CV?
A resume submitted electronically is a resume. Employers may request that electronic resumes be in plain text, HTML, or PDF.
The applicant tracking system (ATS) can then scan and decipher hundreds of resumes. Electronic resumes are usually created in a limited format or with minimal design to meet these standards.
Electronic Resumes: Benefits and Uses
I found that electronic resumes allowed me to refine my approach and better position myself in the job market. I found I was more likely to get an interview if I used electronic resumes.
I used simple fonts and keywords to tailor my resume.
These are some of the benefits that come with electronic resumes.
You will match the ATS.
Only 30 % of resumes will be accepted by the applicant tracking system (ATS). When done correctly, ATS-approved CVs can yield positive results.
When I asked Rodolphe Dutel about his experiences with electronic resumes when he was the founder of the remote job site Remotive, he told me an amazing story.
He was one of the first new hires for Google. Dutel learned later that his electronic CV was the only reason he got the job.
He recalls that ATSATS picked up his resume and contacted him.
Dutel then worked at Buffer as director of operations, helping to grow the team to 80 members before founding Remotive.
Use your electronic resume when you want to ensure that your resume is scanned and matches the company’s ATS.
You can concentrate on the content.
The first resume I ever created was over the top.
After putting my name in a large, colorful font, I added sections for experience and skills that were oddly formatted, separated by horizontal and vertical lines.
I’d show you, but I think I deleted it because I was embarrassed.
I did this to conceal the fact that I had little work experience.
Looking back, I realize it would have been better to keep things simple and concentrate on creating a resume that highlighted my strengths. Instead, I tried hiding my lack of experience.
A simple electronic resume can help. You’re for to focus on your skills when you have to submit a plain-text, no-frills version of your CV. It would be best if you concentrate on the skills you have and what you can do in a new position.
Follow instructions and demonstrate your ability to do so.
You can be sure that Microsoft Word Docs resumes are thrown out if a job application requests a plain-text version.
Employers are looking for candidates who can show that they pay attention to detail and follow instructions.
Your resume is your first impression of a potential employer. Your electronic submission can help you stand out from the crowd and kick off your interview on a positive foot.
How to Create an Electronic Resume
In order to demonstrate how to create an electronic resume, let’s make one for myself based on a particular job listing.
Here is a job posting for a content author at Orchard which aligns with my experience and skills:
This is how I would create my electronic resume to apply for the position.
Begin with your contact details.
Start with the basics. Include your name, your location (you may list it as “remote” if you are only interested in remote positions), and email. Include your phone number.
The key to creating a successful electronic resume is to keep the design and formatting elements to a minimum. This is how I would format my contact info on my electronic CV (this isn’t my actual contact information, but it’s a good example).
Mention the education you have.
Mention your education if applicable. This section includes your school name, degree type, and any other achievements that you achieved while you were in school.
This is how I would format my education section for an electronic CV:
Choose your keywords carefully.
Use keywords from the job description to catch the attention and interest of the ATS.
The ATS scans for these keywords, so if you don’t include any of them in your resume, it will be automatically discarded.
If we look at Orchard’s job posting for a content writer, we will see keywords such as “real estate,” SEO best practices,” and “content strategies.”