Quintessential Careers Press: Surefire Resumes for New Graduates and Other Entry-Level Candidates Chapter 7: Strive for Readability Page 65 A similar trick applies to using HTML commands called meta tags in creating a Web-based resume. The "description" command, for example, gives you up to 150 characters to provide a description of your document. Make sure you use words that highlight your experience and skills. The "keywords" command gives you limited space to enter critical keywords. Be sure to use keywords that you think employers and recruiters might use in searching for the position you are seeking -- and make sure those keywords are also listed at least once (perhaps in a "key accomplishments" section) in your resume. Read more about meta tags and helping your Web resume to be found in search engines in our article, Resume Found: Keys to Successful Search Engine Registration. Do some test runs of the formatted print resume you intend to send to employers as an attachment by sending it to the computers of a few friends to see if the formatting is consistent from computer to computer. Try to find testers who each have different versions of Windows (2000, XP, Vista), as well as a tester or two using Mac OS. It's best to include your cover letter in the body of your e-mail rather than as an additional attachment because some systems can't handle multiple attachments. More about e-mailing cover letters later in this chapter. Use a specific subject line in your e-mail when transmitting your e-resume, suggest Kendall and Whitcomb. The subject line might include the reference number for the job, your name, the name of the position, and a concise keyword-oriented selling point about you. Previous Page Next Page Back to Surefire Resumes for New Graduates and Other Entry-Level Candidates Index Page