If you going to hunt and apply to jobs on the Internet, your will need to have your resume in more than just a word processing format.

Creating an ASCII Text Resume

ASCII Text is the simplest and the most versatile file format . You can attach it to an email, embed it within the body of an email message or use it to cut and paste text into an on-line form.

You can create an ASCII text resume using an text editor such as Windows NotePad. If you already have a resume in MS-Word format, the easiest way to create an ASCII text resume is to convert and edit it using Word. You can also create an ASCII text resume from scratch by starting at Step 4. The method outline below will produce a text-formatted resume that should look the same no matter which program is used to read it. Other word processing software may require modification to this method.

1. Open your resume document in Word.
   
   
2. Save the file as a text file using Save as, file type: Text only (*.txt). This will remove all the formatting not supported by a text file.
   
   
3. Close the file and reload it. This will ensure that what is displayed on the screen is exactly what is in the file. Generally, it will be formatted in Courier 10 pt, left justified, with automatic word wrap at 80 characters. Bolding and indents will be gone, and bullets will be replaced with asterisks.
   
   
4. Reset the font to Courier 12 pt and the margins to 1 inch. This will give you a 65-character line length and should eliminate unwanted line-wraps on most email settings and on-line forms.
   
   
5. Make sure that AutoFormat is turned off. On the menu bar, click Tools, then AutoCorrect to get to the Autoformat menu. Remember to turn the AutoFormat features back on when you are finished.
   
   
6. You can now start to format the text document. Use the following formatting guidelines:

• Do not use bold, italics or underlines.
• Use * + or - in place of the bullet symbol.
• Indent using spaces rather than tabs or the indent features of the word processor.
• Left justify everything.
• Put a hard return (¶) at the end of each line.
• Use Block Letters for section headings.
• Separate the sections with two line spaces
• Use an extra line space after each section heading, between jobs and anywhere else it improves the readablity.
• Place you name, address and phone number on separate lines.

Below is an example of what a resume could look like using these guidelines.

RESUME

John Q. Smith
1234 Main Street
Anytown, Ontario, L0O N1E
Tel: 905-416-1234
Email: jqsmith@someisp.ca


OBJECTIVE

Human resources generalist or labour relations specialist in a
manufacturing or high tech organization in Toronto or southern 
Ontario.


EXPERIENCE

Manager, Human Resource -- Anicorp Electronics -- 1995-98
* Managed all HR activities for this 350 employee digital widget
  manufacturing plant.
* Managed a recruiting drive that doubled the employee population
  in a six month period.
* Improved union/management relations by effectively handling
  grievances and advising supervisors on collective agreement
  administration.
* Successfully negotiated 2 collective agreements.
* Reduced loss time accidents by implementing safety training.

Recruiting Associate -- Anicorp Electronics -- 1993-95
* Provide corporate recruiting support for corporate and regional
  offices.
* Managed annual campus recruiting for engineers, technologists
  and business graduates at Universities and Community Colleges.
* Developed a new coprorate-wide employee orientation program.
* Implemented a computerized applicant tracking system.


EDUCATION

Bachelor, Business Administration -- Cannaught University -- 1992

Post-graduate Diploma in Human Resources -- Watt College -- 1993

Continuing education includes courses in ISO/QSO-9000, Health and
Safety Planning, Job Evaluation and Behavioral Interviewing.

7. Save the file as a text file.
   
   
8. Test your ASCII resume by opening it in Notepad or pasting it into an email message. Send an email to yourself to see how it will look at the receiving end.
   
   
9. If you need to re-edit the text file, you will need to reset the margins as noted above when you open it in Word.

Other Resume File Formats

Word Processing Formats: Most word processor can open or convert files created in other package, but the appearance may change. Even documents created in the same software may appear different when opened on a different computer because of different configurations. To avoid this keep the formating of your resume simple. Avoid they use of columns and tables -- if the file needs to be converted the results may change the layout. Avoid using multiple or unusual fonts -- the results can look strange when opened with a computer that does not have those fonts loaded.

Rich Text Format: When the instructions for submitting your resume call for a file format of a word processor different from the one you are using, RTF is the solution. Rich Text Format is a method of encoding formatted text and graphics for easy transfer between applications and operating systems. Most word processing packages support RTF, so it's simply a matter of saving it as an RTF file. Generally, the type of formatting found in a resume will translate without difficulty. However, some fancy formatting such as drop-caps, condensed spacing and some column settings do not look the same when opened in different software. The solution -- keep it simple.

Hyper Text Markup Language: HTML is the file format for the WWW. If you are going to set up your resume on your own web page you will need to create an HTML resume. Even if you're not, there a benefit to having an HTML resume. A number of the resume posting sites allow you to use HTML. This allows additional formating (bolding, bullets, indents) and produces a more appealing layout. For more on HTML resumes see the section on Your Web Page.

Sending Resumes Via Email

You can send a resume via email by embedding it within the text of the email, attaching it as a text file or attaching a word processing file.

Do yourself a favour, make it as easy as possible for the recruiter. Its frustrating to receive attachments called "resume.doc", files that are password protected and cannot be opened, or files in a format that required conversion and no indication of the file type. Any trouble opening or reading a resume will increase the probablility of it ending up in the reject pile.

Whatever method you use to forward your resume, make sure it works. Test it by sending it to a friend and by opening the resume in other word processing programs or on other computers.

If you send your resume as an email attachment:

• Use your name or a variation of it, i.e. "jsmith.doc" or "williams.txt", as your resume filename. There are still systems out there that truncate long filenames, so stick to the DOS 8.3 filename convention.

• Identify the file name, file format and version of the attached file in the body of the email.

• Use the email message in the same way as you would use a cover letter. Identify the job you are applying for and highlight your key qualifications for the job.

If you want to embed your resume within the email message, simply open your text resume and cut and paste it into the body of the message.