Sending your resume in a format the potential employer can’t open or read is a sure-fire way to land your resume in the “toss” pile. Put yours in a format appropriate for that particular employer. Below you’ll find a comparison of the following formats and when to use each:

• Word-processed
• ASCII (plain text)
• HTML

Word-processed format

• Key features:
  • Hard copy
  • Formatted
  • Has a .DOC file extension
  • Designed for human screening
  • Keyword searchable
• Send by:
  • Hand
  • Mail
  • Fax
  • E-mail–as an attachment only
• Tips:
  • Use this version when you know a person will be viewing your resume.
  • Do make it keyword searchable. You will not necessarily know when this version is stored electronically.
  • You may be asked to e-mail this version. Be sure to attach it to your e-mail message. Do not copy and paste this version to the body of your e-mail messages.
  • If you're asked not to attach your resume to an e-mail, send the ASCII version instead.
  • Do not copy and paste the contents of your Word-processed resume to a Web form. Use the plain text version instead.

ASCII (plain text)

• Key features:
  • Soft copy
  • Unformatted
  • Has a .TXT file extension
  • Designed for computer storage & retrieval and human screening
  • Keyword searchable
• Send only electronically:
  • As an attachment, and/or
  • Copied and pasted to the body of the e-mail message
  • Upload to public & private Internet resume banks
• Tips:
  • Most commonly requested alternative to a Word-processed resume. Use this version when you know your resume will be captured and stored electronically. It also needs to be designed for ease of "human screening."
  • Do add a keyword summary paragraph to maximize the chances for getting your resume retrieved. In some automated hiring systems, this might also make the difference in how high in the "electronic pile" your resume falls.
  • Can be copied and pasted to the body of an e-mail message or Web form when plain text is requested. Can also be attached to an e-mail message or Web form.
  • Employers may offer option to send a variety of formats (e.g. Word, rich text or plain text). If plain text is an option, always go with this one.

HTML

• Key features:
  • Soft copy
  • Formatted
  • Has a .HTML file extension
  • Designed for human screening
  • Keyword searchable
• Store on a Web site:
  • On its own URL
  • Uploaded to a resume bank that supports this format
• Tips:
  • This version is an optical version and should be designed for ease of human screening online. It also needs keywords.
  • Many options, ranging from simple to more sophisticated.
    • A Web page equivalent of your Word-processed version (with or without links)
    • Several pages with an index and links to different sections of your resume
    • A portfolio that contains work samples
  • Do include the URL on your resume, but don't assume that readers will visit your page/site
  • Do not e-mail this version of your resume
  • Do not upload to Internet resume banks unless you know that the site supports this format and never use it to apply online (as an .HTML file will be sent by e-mail and may not enter your company's resume bank successfully)