File format for emailing resumes

[plifter]

Is a PDF file an acceptable format to send a resume? It requires the Adobe Reader software to open. I would think that most businesses have this software already installed.

 

[chewyxrage]

They probably do, but using Word is probably the best idea.

 

[javaguru]

They usually request word.

 

[Lestat]

.txt is the safest way

 

[Sassy69]

They will request text or MS Word - Usually get a choice of text or Word if you upload your resume to an application site, some require text only. (Make sure it is formatted cleanly - i.e. look at it so it isn't one giant run-on sentence & your carriage returns aren't preserved).

For email they will usually request MS Word because they will probably be dumping it into a keyword database or just forwarding it around to people in the office - Word is probably the most widely used app to open documents in.

 

[UA_Iron]

.txt?

shit thats like 5 years ago.

PDF should be fine. If you have a question about it call them and ask them about it.

 

[Razorguns]

almost everyone uses word. Much easier for the person to modify their resume (which many do quite often) then just mail it.

i've never seen soemone send a pdf. i hate scrolling thru pdfs - they can be slow and clunky.

r

 

[UA_Iron]

almost everyone uses word. Much easier for the person to modify their resume (which many do quite often) then just mail it.

i've never seen soemone send a pdf. i hate scrolling thru pdfs - they can be slow and clunky.

r

I do it cause I dont want people to steal my format.

yeah, its that fucken good.

 

[Sassy69]

I do it cause I dont want people to steal my format.

yeah, its that fucken good.

Just speaking from experience, some don't care, some need it to be in Word or Text.

 

[Dial_tone]

some will require Word so they can scan it for keywords. Recruiters require it in case they need to edit something. Unless you are sending it directly to the person that will make the decision send it in Word; don't get cute. I get people all the time sending them in Wordperfect, Acrobat, Works. I want to bitchslap them all. Acrobat is okay if you're in some creative field like Advertising, Graphics, etc.

 

[Sassy69]

LOL @ Works. Man that sux moose genitalia.

 

[UA_Iron]

I guess they were telling the business majors to put keywords in the color white on their resume so they'll pop up if a search is done...

sneaky sneaky

I just sent two formats, PDF and word - shows them I know wtf I'm doing.

 

[chewyxrage]

good idea iron, lol

word is the standard for any online job database I've seen

 

[Razorguns]

Remember: hte other person is used to reading resumes on word all day.

And now you force him/her to read it in adobe. They won't be happy.

Not to mention most resume archival systems use word, and preview only word documents in their interfaces.

r

 

[Dial_tone]

I guess they were telling the business majors to put keywords in the color white on their resume so they'll pop up if a search is done...

sneaky sneaky

I just sent two formats, PDF and word - shows them I know wtf I'm doing.

Or it could show that you're insecure and afraid to make a decision.

I should mention I work for an executive recruiting firm. Our CRM software indexes resumes so we can search thru the database for people with casino gaming experience, for example. It doesn't index PDFs so those have to be converted to Word.
Most recruiters are not computer-savvy so when you send them a Wordperfect resume they have a conniption when they can't just doubleclick the lil attachment thingy from Outlook. No, they neither remember nor care that they can save the file first, open Word, change the 'files of type' to WPD then open the file.
They'll simply forward it to me, IT Guru Extraordinaire, so I can convert it for them...cussing the day your mother spat your lame ass out of her nether region because you were too cheap to buy a copy your own copy of MS Office b) too much of a pussy to steal a copy from work and c) too stupid to realize you can create/edit MS Office documents with a free download of OpenOffice.
No, we don't care that you've expertly embedded your head shot photo into your Acrobat resume, along with graphs showing how you've increased sales by 4% in 5 years.
You are only one step ahead of the ass hat who, after being asked to email their resume in Word format to be considered for the six-figure VP position, proceeded to send us a HANDWRITTEN resume via overnight mail because you STILL HAVEN'T LEARNED TO USE A COMPUTER!!!! (absolutely true story) Bitch, this ain't 1981. Get with the program.

 

[heatherrae]

Send it in both PDF and MS Word. PDF ensures it still looks exactly as it should, as far as formatting goes, and Word is the most requested. Lots of law firms still use Word Perfect for some weird reason, so ask if you are, by chance, sending it to a law firm.

 

[Razorguns]

Send it in both PDF and MS Word. PDF ensures it still looks exactly as it should, as far as formatting goes, and Word is the most requested. Lots of law firms still use Word Perfect for some weird reason, so ask if you are, by chance, sending it to a law firm.

read DT's post.

Recruiters have databases of thousands of resumes - all saved in word. The last thing they want is annoying people sending them all kinds of formats.

 

[heatherrae]

Well, if they don't want it, they don't have to save it. They have two to choose from in the same email. How fucking hard is that? Sheesh.