Posting a "Text Only" Resume Online

One of the fastest ways to submit your resume to a recruiter is through a resume bank on the internet. In a matter of minutes, your resume can be deposited directly into a company's electronic hands.

When you apply directly to a company's web site, you are frequently asked to post (fill in an "e-form") or to "cut and paste" your resume. Almost all sites have the copy-and-paste option for getting your resume online -- this is the preferable method once you have created and saved your Internet Ready Resume.

HELPFUL HINTS AND PRECAUTIONS TO TAKE:

• If you are applying online, you should definitely set up a free web-based email account if you don't already have an email address. Click here to set up a free web-based email account.
• Do NOT send your resume as a file attachment unless the employer specifically requests that you do. Use the COPY AND PASTE option unless asked to do otherwise.
• Make sure your name and contact information (email address, phone number, etc.) is shown at the TOP of your resume.
• Do NOT put your Social Security Number on your resume.
• Putting a street address on your Internet Resume is OPTIONAL.
• Do not voluntarily post references -- wait to be asked for them. If you need to post References online, please make sure your references know that their name, address, and telephone number may be on the internet. PROTECT YOUR PRIVACY AND THE PRIVACY OF OTHERS.

PREPARING YOUR RESUME FOR ONLINE POSTING:

Before you begin, click here to view an example of a Text-Only Resume.

• Open MS Word and pull up the document that contains your original resume.
  
  
• Click on FILE in your toolbar and select SAVE AS:
  
  
• Under "File Name," type in a new name for this document (example: Karen's Text-Only Internet Resume).
  
  
• Under "Save as Type," click on the down arrow to the right and highlight TEXT ONLY.
  
  
• Click on the SAVE button to the right.
  
  
• Now go back to your toolbar and click on FILE and then CLOSE. (**Do not close MS Word.)
  
  
• Click again on your toolbar on FILE and OPEN. Now open the text file that you just named/saved. (**Make sure you open your text document while in MS Word.) You have just completed the initial converting of your resume to a text format. Notice that there is no longer anything fancy on your resume -- it has been stripped of fancy formatting such as bullets, bold, etc. This IS what it is supposed to look like. "It is now fixin' time!"
  
  
• Make sure you cursor is at the very beginning of your document (go to top left and click on left mouse). Click on FILE on your top toolbar. Click on PAGE SET UP. Change your Left and Right Margins to 1.5 inches and then click the OK Tab in the same box.
  
  
• Click on an icon below your tool bar that looks like a backwards "P" (it may already be turned on). You want to be able to see all the spaces, tabs, etc. in the edit mode. Delete all the TABS (little arrows pointing to the right) and replace them with spaces.
  
  
• Avoid trying to indent or center text using the spacebar. Keep all lines left justified against the page.
  
  
• If your resume is more than one page -- delete any page breaks or wording such as "Page 2" or "Continued." Technically, you are making your resume appear as one continuous electronic document.
  
  
• Use ALL CAPS for words that need special emphasis. Since "Text Only" stripped your resume of all bolds, bullets, etc. used for highlighting words, use capitalized letters to draw attention to important words, phrases, and headings. For best overall effect, use all caps sparingly.
  
  
• Replace each bullet point with a standard keyboard symbol. Bullets, triangles, arrows, etc. do not transfer well electronically. Suggested replacements are Asterisks (*), Double Asterisks (**), Dashes (-), and Plus signs (+). Use a Space Bar to place a single space immediately after each symbol (and before the words). DO NOT USE THE TAB KEY FOR SPACING. Also, allow lines to wrap naturally to the next line -- don't force a hard return using the Enter Key.
  
  
• If you are using any quotes (""......."") on your resume, they are probably Curly Quotes. These type of quotes will not transfer accurately and may appear as little rectangles. Because changing these quotes through the AutoFormat in MS Word will reformat your document, go through and delete all your quotes.
  
  
• Type the word "Key Words:" at the bottom of your resume and type in key words (preferably nouns)--separated by three spaces (Space Bar) -- that may not currently be listed on your resume but that you may want a company database to pick up if resumes are stored this way.
  
  
• You want to make one last adjustment. Each line should not be longer than 65 characters across in length. To check this, Click and block out one of the longest lines on resume (make sure that only ONE line is blocked out). Now click on TOOLS and WORD COUNT. Read what is says for "characters with spaces." The number should read 65 or below. If it is a higher number, move the last word on that line to the next line (Return Key) and make visual adjustments to your resume. Repeat this same step for any lines that look like they might be longer than 65 characters. All lines should line up around the same place near the right margin.
  
  
• Lastly, click on FILE on the toolbar above and PRINT PREVIEW. View your text and click on CLOSE. Rearrange your text as needed. Do a line-by-line review of your document to make sure there are no odd-looking wraps, extra spaces, or words scrunched together in the body. This may include inserting commas between items that were once in columns.
  
  
• You have now created a Text-Only resume.

COPYING AND PASTING YOUR INTERNET RESUME ONLINE:

Now that you've prepared your resume, it's time to post it online.

• Bring up the web site that you will be posting your resume to and scroll down to the box where you are supposed to cut and paste your resume.
  
  
• MINIMIZE INTERNET. In the upper right hand corner, click on Minimize Box (the third box over with the dash in it). This will keep your web page but place it in a small box listed at the bottom of your computer screen.
  
  
• Bring up MS Word and/or open your Internet Ready Resume.
  
  
• Move the cursor with your mouse to the very beginning of your document. Click and hold down the left side of your mouse and drag it until your entire document is blocked out (dark color).
  
  
• Click on EDIT on the toolbar listed above and then click on COPY.
  
  
• MINIMIZE MS WORD. In the upper right hand corner, click on Minimize Box (the third box over with the dash in it). This will now minimize MS Word and place it at the bottom alongside the small box holding your internet document.
  
  
• Click on the small box minimized at the bottom holding your Internet document. This will bring back the web site to which you will be posting your resume.
  
  
• Move your cursor to the box where you are supposed to copy your resume and click the left side of the mouse.
  
  
• Click on EDIT on the toolbar above and then PASTE.
  
  
• Now click SEND or SUBMIT (or whatever the web site lists to send the document).
  
  
• Congratulations! You have successfully posted your resume to the internet!

POSTING A COVER LETTER

Some web sites offer an optional field for a cover letter. Adding a cover letter is another one of those things that can give you an extra "edge" over another candidate. This also gives you the chance to create a personable introduction to your resume.

When composing your cover letter, follow these guidelines:

• Keep your letter short (a few brief paragraphs) and easy to read.
• Just INTRODUCE your resume -- do not summarize it or repeat information
• Let the letter show your professional personality.

Draft your cover letter in MS Word. Make it a text-ready letter and follow the same steps to do this as listed above for your online resume. Cut and paste it (same as above) into the cover letter box listed on the web page.