We're living in an electronic world, which means it's pretty important that when it comes to resumes you learn to be an electronic girl – or boy. There are a high percentage of companies that prefer that job candidates submit applications and resumes online. So if you don't know how to do so, you may find yourself left behind your technologically advanced competition.

The good news is that it's not difficult to understand the basics of electronic resumes. If you know how to type basic documents and send emails then this process shouldn't be challenging for you. To get you started, however, let's take a look at the world of electronic resumes, as well as some basic tips for how to make them work for you.

Electronic resumes are resumes that are submitted electronically, whether via email, a website or database, or through scanning. It's very common to be asked to submit a resume electronically because doing so makes organization on the company's end simple. Most companies now require that someone scan paper resumes into a computer for filing and sorting, so if it is already submitting electronically, this step is eliminated.

As a result, you may find yourself submitting a resume via a website that allows you to cut and paste a text version or browse and submit a .Doc or .PDF version. Some companies may ask for you to submit yours via email. If you are beginning a job search and are unfamiliar with any of these technologies, it's good to brush up on them as soon as possible. This way, you won't feel lost if you're required to submit via an electronic format.

With electronic resumes, especially those that are submitted through a website format, it is a good idea to consider incorporating strategic keywords. What are keywords? They are specific words found throughout the resume that help the hiring manager determine how closely matched your skills are to the industry and job position you're applying for.

They are important when submitting electronic resumes because many companies use specific software to pinpoint these keywords. So if you want to tackle this head-on, it's good to find words that define your industry and the job you're applying for then strategically place them throughout your electronic resume.

While companies have made the process of submitting resumes much simpler (and cheaper) by allowing us to submit them electronically, it's still a good idea to incorporate the traditional resume into your process. In other words, even if a company asks that job applicants submit resumes via a website or email, if you're really serious about the job then it doesn't hurt to also follow up with a hard copy of your resume that you send via U.S. mail. Yeah, it's true; this means you'll still need to buy resume paper. But to go through this extra step can keep your name in the hiring manager's mouth – a definite bonus.

Electronic resumes are the wave of the future. So if you want to increase your chances of being hired, learning how to make them work for you is something you should strongly consider.