Electronic resumes file formats

Other employers that accept electronic resumes request that the documents be created and saved in a specific file format, such as Microsoft Word, Rich Text Format, or ASCII. When creating an electronic resume, adhere exactly to the formatting specifications provided by the employer or career-related website. 

When your resume is in an electronic file, it can be e-mailed to an employer, posted on a website, added to an online database, and imported into applicant-tracking software used by potential employers. Although you won t have to deal with issues like choosing resume paper, picking the perfect font or ink color, or formatting your resume to look perfect on the printed page, there are other issues to contend with when creating an electronic resume. If you created your printed resume on a PC, you already have an electronic file with which to work. If you had someone prepare your printed resume and don t have access to or can t use the electronic file, you will have to create your electronic resume from scratch. 

Many companies accept electronic resumes in Microsoft Word or WordPerfect file formats. When creating your electronic resume using one of these software packages, pay careful attention to what format the finished document needs to be saved in before sending it to an employer. The majority of employers prefer to receive resumes in ASCII or Rich Text Format. Once you save your resume in a file format other than the program s proprietary format, you will probably have to further edit it in order to fix lost formatting (such as indentation or italics). 

Another method is to complete an online-based resume form while visiting an employer s website or a career-related site. In order to keep incoming resumes consistent in terms of formatting, many websites designed for recruiting insist that all electronic resumes be created using a predefined template, or provide a detailed form that requests all pertinent resume information. The website then formats the information automatically to meet the employer s requirements. This information is kept on the company s server and you won t have a file to submit via e-mail. 

The employer you re submitting your resume to— Employers typically have specific guidelines for resume submissions. For example, some only accept traditional printed resumes, whereas others prefer to receive an electronic file in a particular format (such as Microsoft Word,... 

When you create your resume on a computer, using a word processor or resume-creation software, save that document file, just as you would any other document. A traditional resume (one that is to be printed and then sent to potential employers), which you save on your computer s hard disk as a Microsoft Word document, for example, is different from an electronic (digital) resume that will be formatted differently, will take advantage of keywords, and will ultimately be e-mailed (not printed on paper and sent) to a potential employer. 

Some employers give applicants the option to compete an online resume form or send an electronic file via e-mail. Unless your work history and other information fits nicely into the format the online form follows, opt to send your own electronic file via e-mail. This will allow you to more easily customize the format you use so you can best highlight your skills and abilities. 

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