Looking for a job or just putting out feelers? Times have changed, and so have the rules about resumes. Marie Raperto, president of the Cantor Concern, a New York executive search firm, offers tips for job candidates in the digital age:
Use caution online. Think before you post your resume in cyberspace. "Once you put it out there, you can't take it back, and you don't know who's seeing it," she says. Also, not all career sites are diligent about removing old job postings. "You could be responding to a posting that's six months old."
Avoid colored or textured paper stock. Use white paper and leave lots of white space. It doesn't have to be one page. It just has to be scanner-friendly. Many larger employers now scan resumes for keywords before dedicating human eyeballs to the selection process.
Email only if you're design-savvy. If you plan to send your resume electronically, make sure your format and tabs will hold on screen. Otherwise, send it the old-fashioned way - by snail mail or fax.
Use buzzwords. Employers (and their scanning software) want to see phrases like "media relations, employee communications and public affairs." Don't bury your strengths in five paragraphs worth of flowery copy.
(The Cantor Concern, 212/333-3000)