The evolution of technology has changed the recruitment process significantly over the past decade. Today, many companies accept or request an electronic version of your resume. Resumes are sometimes sorted and stored quite differently by human resources departments, using databases that categorize and slot resumes into pre-organized files. There are 4 methods by which the electronic transfer of a resume takes place. The hiring or recruiting organization may enable you to:
E-mail your resume inside the body of an e-mail message.
Send an ASCII/Text file attachment of your resume.
Copy and paste your ASCII/text document into an electronic application form on the organization’s website.
If it is clearly stated that the employer will accept a MS Word document (or they requested it) you can send this file format as an attachment.
It is a worldwide standard that allows computers to exchange information files and documents. Regardless of what operating system one uses, ASCII/Text information can be transmitted and received. It is the standard used over the Internet and by e-mail software and it is the format employers have you build "online resumes" in.
Word process your resume
Select "Save As", then in the "As Type" box, choose "Text Only" and it will automatically convert your document
Keep a copy of your resume in ASCII as a separate file from your regular word processed copy
ASCII does not recognize special formatting features; therefore you must review text for errors and presentation style
Always copy from your ASCII formatted file when submitting your resume electronically because its layout is already established
You must ensure that your ASCII resume is presentable by proofreading and correcting it
ASCII automatically left justifies all the text, so you must ensure to indent using the space bar
Special bold, italics and fonts will not be recognized; therefore, special formatting is lost and the text layout may need to be re-written
Use dashes instead of horizontal lines to separate sections of your resume
Use capital letters for headings instead of bold or underlines to make them stand out
Replace bullets with asterisks (*) or plus signs (+)
Avoid trying to center text; it will not show up on most database systems
Use spacebars instead of tabs
Review your resume to ensure that it includes the key words that the employer is looking for; this will be helpful should a key word search of skills be conducted
In the subject line of your e-mail make sure you use the job title for the vacancy and be sure to include a job number or code if one is provided. This will assist the organization in sorting your resume.
To do this, click on "attachments" on your e-mail system
Then on the "go to" section, click "browse" (or "Look In")
Find the file where your plain text document is located
Click on this and then press "ok" or "attach"
Your file should show up on your e-mail
Add the subject line, and then compose a message to go along with your resume
This message should take the form of a cover letter stating your interest in the position, and why you are qualified
Some job postings require applicants to post their resume directly into the e-mail message. In this case, go into your text resume document, highlight the entire document, press copy and go into your e-mail message and paste it directly into the message area. You normally begin the e-mail with a "covering letter" unless requested not to do so by the employer.
Multimedia resumes are becoming more common with the advances in both hardware and software. If you choose this type, remember that some employers may not have the latest equipment to download your resume with sound and complex graphics quickly, or at all. Research the potential employer’s preferences and capability first. Be sure that this is appropriate for the industry you are seeking work in.
To continue with Step 4.2.8, click here.
