Tips on Sending us your Resume

Here at PDSI Technical Services, we utilize a software package to maintain our database of resumes.  There are many benefits to Human Resource Information Systems (HRIS).  Probably the biggest advantage is that it enables us to access your resume in a speedier, more efficient manner.  Our system requires that all resumes are stored in an electronic format.  This means that once you send in your resume, changes may be made to the format of it in order to convert it to this electronic image.  Quite often, a scanner is used to assist with this conversion.

If You Are Going To E-Mail Your Resume:

Please submit it either as a Word Document or a text document (.txt).  We CANNOT accept .gif, tif, bmp, or .wps resumes.

If You Are Going To Fax Your Resume:

Please make sure that your fax machine is set to the highest possible resolution, to ensure the best quality transmission possible.

If You Are Going To Mail Your Resume In Via The U.S. Postal Service:

Or hand deliver one, please use white paper and black ink.  Do not insert any graphics, pictures or icons.

Here are a few recommendations that will help to make your resume "scanner friendly:"

• Don't underline or italicize words.
• Don't use script or other fancy typefaces.
• All letters should be of the same quality (no light or broken letters, no smudgy or filled-in letters, etc.).
• Don't hand write anything on your resume.
• If you're using a dot matrix or inkjet printer, utilize the best quality of type the printer provides (i.e. letter quality, dark copy, etc.).
• Avoid boxes or unusual configurations.
• Don't use columns
• Don’t use all capitals on your resume, likewise, don’t use all lower case.  Type your resume in utilizing normal capitalization rules.

Things you SHOULD do with your resume:

• Use 8-1/2" x 11" paper.

• Use 10 or 12 point type size

• Keep your page margins to a minimum of 1/2" or more (1" is best, 3/4" is also preferred to 1/2")

• Make your resume as legible as possible, using a non-serif type font (it is easier to scan) , such as Arial, Times New Roman, etc.

• Include a permanent contact, present address and phone number, and an email address (if you have one) near the top of the first page of your resume. That will enable us to contact you even after you have moved from your present address.

• Include your job discipline(s) near your name at the top of page one of your resume and a job title for each assignment.

• Include a summary paragraph near the top of your resume.

• Include pertinent education and/or training.

• List jobs in reverse chronological order (most current first).

• Include only necessary personal information

• Type "Under contract to" for any contract assignments you may have had.

• Include total number of year's experience.

• Give security status, if any. If your security clearance has expired, include the date of expiration.

• Write job descriptions in easy-to-understand terms. Be brief but be as complete as practical.

• Include your name and page number on each page of a multiple page resume (except no number on first page).

Things you should NOT do with your resume:

• Don't include hobbies or personal references.  References can be given out on a separate sheet of paper, usually at an interview.

• Don't include your Social Security Number.

• Don't exaggerate your experience.

• Don't show salary or pay information.

• Don't offer explanations for leaving prior employers.

• Don't use your photograph.

• Don't use abbreviations (except those that are acceptable in the engineering/technical fields, such as IBM, BSME, IE, E/M, etc.).

• Have it typed by a professional typesetter.

• Eliminate all extra spaces between lines (except between job assignments).

• Use narrower margins (but not less than 1/2 inch).

• Keep job descriptions to 3-5 sentences (older positions may be even shorter).

• If your "length" problem is due to an extensive number of job assignments, leave the oldest positions off and type the following at the bottom of the last page of your resume: "Prior experience available upon request." Then prepare a "complete" resume to furnish only to firms asking for it.

• It’s is perfectly fine to have a resume that is more than one page.  However, if it is longer than 3 or 4 pages, chances are that not all of it is going to be read.  Do your best to keep it at 4 pages or less.