You may think that just getting the right words and key phrases in your resume alone is a winning strategy. Once you get past the automated applicant tracking systems, however, your resume still has to pass the review of a very human hiring manager. While applicant tracking systems are fairly consistent in how they operate, every hiring manager is different. So what can you do to ensure your resume performs the best it can once you get it in the hands of a hiring manager?

Each hiring manager may have different tastes and preferences, but some things do remain true for most people. When looking at a resume, a hiring manager is trying to absorb a large amount of information in a short amount of time. Your resume has to not only grab their attention, but it should also communicate your skills very efficiently so a hiring manager doesn’t have to spend time searching for your qualifications. Crafting a “scannable” resume comes down to how you format your resume.

A scannable resume has distinct and well-labeled sections with information that is presented in an organized fashion. This way, when a hiring manager’s eye moves over your resume, they can very quickly find the information they’re looking for without having to pause. This also makes the information easier to absorb and come back to later on. A scannable resume is a memorable resume—and for the right reasons. Between two resumes with similar qualifications, a hiring manager will be more likely to come back to the one that made a better impression on them with clear formatting and organization.

Showing consideration for hiring managers by formatting clearly is also a great way to make a positive impression before you ever walk through the door for an interview. So make your resume work hard for you, not only by filling it with the preferred keywords but by formatting your resume to be scannable.

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