The Advantages (and Disadvantages) Of Your Resume Format

When it comes to how your resume should look, it almost seems that there are no rules. This isn’t strictly true. Whilst there is very much conflicting opinion on layout, length and style, the general consensus is that different resumes fit different people and industries, skill levels. So it’s all about finding your right fit resume and making sure it fits the expectations of those within your particular profession.

Aside from the basic rules of length. It’s important to remember that your resume will not simply be printed off and handed around in a physical, paper format only. It will be emailed; it could also be copied and pasted onto standard online application forms.

Depending on the length and style of your resume, there won’t be a generic style that fits all these options. It is most likely that you will need to edit your main ‘paper’ copy into suitable electronic versions and may well end up with a handful of these for various purposes.

Many of us will type our original résumé using a Microsoft Word style application. It’s most often that when emailing an resume as an attachment, a recruiter or employer will ask for a specific format, and it is likely to be this, the most universal. Also, it will look the same at the receiving end as when you styled it originally as the format is retained. It is most definitely the easiest way your resume can be forwarded, opened and printed.

You need to be very careful which version of Word is used however. Newer versions like to save in a .docx format whilst many organisations, including some global corporates have older versions of windows and can’t open such attachments. Some companies try not to encourage attachments due to virus issues also, so check their specific requirements carefully. It never looks good if it is obvious you haven’t read the ‘instructions’ right.

If you save your CV as a PDF, this means that the document will remain unchanged. If you are in the industry of design or marketing, it is likely that your résumé will have been laid out in a way to reflect this with graphics and imagery included. If this is the case, it is likely that the people you are mailing it to will have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on their own systems to be able to open it. The great thing with a PDF is that it can be opened with both Macs and PC’s, but the ‘regular jobseeker may knot have the software to create one, and there is no guarantee that the recipient will be able to open it either with the Adobe download.

Formatting your resume in Plain Text may not be a bad idea. A plain text resume has no special effects such as bold, italics, or centreing. It contains only characters that can be created from the standard keyboard. It is often the required format for posting a resume on a job board or pasting it into an online application. A text resume can be sent within the body of an e mail to companies that don’t accept e-mail attachments. Text also makes it easy for employers to place the resume into a searchable database, if they use one. So far so good, but the downside is that it makes your resume look, well, a bit dull really!

An absolute essential tip, no matter which electronic resume format you use, is to make sure you email it yourself before any body else. If you have taken all the necessary steps to make sure the recipient will be able to read it effectively, just double check by forwarding it to yourself before anyone else!

Good Luck!