Not so long ago, the only decision you needed to make regarding your resume was whether to mail it, fax it or hand it to a contact. As long as it arrived, it really didn't matter how it got there. Today, you have to make decisions about:

• Which resume format to use (Word, ASCII or HTML)
• How to make your electronic resume stand out
• How keywords can increase your chances of an employer locating your electronic resume
• What resume to use when employers use automated resume management systems
• How to submit (mail, fax, e-mail, upload to the employer's Web site or hand deliver)

Going paperless – the advantages

Emailing your resume or applying online are becoming the preferred methods for employers and search firms to receive resumes today for many reasons:

• It’s faster than paper processing
  Not only does a paper resume take time, but it may also take several days to be converted to electronic format if there’s a backlog in scanning.
  
  
• Faxed resumes are hard to scan accurately
  It could be uploaded with errors that prevent the resume from being retrieved.
  
  
• It’s cheaper
  Not only is the cost of mailing increasing, but it also costs the employers to convert the resume to electronic format.
  
  
• Distribution is easier
  HR recruiters can quickly review the contents of an emailed resume and forward it to the relevant hiring managers. E-mail speeds distribution within the organization.
  
  
• Immediately searchable
  When e-mailed or uploaded directly to the organization's resume database, it's immediately available for any searches being performed.
  
  
• Displays your skills
  Sending your resume electronically (whether by uploading to the organization’s Web site or e-mailing) demonstrates PC skills. Conversely, sending a resume via "snail mail" suggests (whether fairly or not) that you are PC illiterate.