How to Email a Text Resume
by Kim Isaacs, Monster Resume Expert
How does your resume look after you hit the “Send” button? While the truth might hurt, it can help explain why your job search isn’t exactly humming along as planned. Just ask Amy Fields. When she emailed her resume to 50 employers, she thought she should have been called for at least a few job interviews. But the phone never rang.
Amy’s resume was discarded because of the garbled mess that appeared on her recipients’ computer screens. Amy had been pasting her MS Word resume into her email program, causing some features to morph into indecipherable computer code and making it cumbersome to read. After Amy learned how to properly email her resume, she started receiving calls.
Here are guidelines for emailing your resume so you can make the best impression and maximize your resume’s response rate:
Create an ASCII/Plain Text Resume and Cover Letter
Your ASCII resume will be stripped of formatting enhancements such as bold and underline, so it won’t be as attractive as your word-processed resume. However, it will be universally compatible, allowing you to control its appearance. The ASCII file should contain manual line breaks at 65 characters or less.
Test the File
Open the text file, copy and paste it into your email message box and send it to yourself and a few friends (preferably ones who use different email programs) to ensure the text transfers as intended.
Select an Email Address to Be Used Throughout Your Job Search
Use a personal email address, not one associated with your office, and pick a name that sounds professional.
Create the Email Message
Some employers provide instructions for emailing a resume — follow these precisely. If no instructions are given, follow these steps:
- Open your email program and set your message format to plain text, not HTML. Enter the recipient’s address and write a subject line that sells your value and references the opening or your career objective.
- Open your ASCII resume and cover letter file. Customize your letter to suit the company and job opening. If you normally use a long cover letter, edit it so it is no more than a couple of paragraphs long. Rename the file for your records. When you are finished editing your letter, copy the text of your resume and cover letter to your clipboard.
- In the body of the email message, paste your ASCII cover letter and resume.
- Unless the employer has requested no attachments, attach your virus-free Word resume (.doc or .rtf file). This will accommodate hiring managers who prefer to see a traditional resume. Review your documents to ensure perfection and send your message.
This article was written by Kim Isaacs, director of ResumePower.com and author of The Career Change Resume book. Visit ResumePower.com to learn more about resume services to jump-start your career.
Copyright 2011 – Monster Worldwide, Inc. All Rights Reserved. You may not copy, reproduce or distribute this article without the prior written permission of Monster Worldwide. This article first appeared on Monster, the leading online global network for careers. To see other career-related articles visit http://content.monster.com.