How to transmit your resume via the Internet

Morris County Library > Reference > E-resumes

About online job applications

There is no "standard" online job application.
Forms, options, and instructions vary with job database and company. The three most popular options are e-mail attachment, copy & paste, and registering with the HR resume database.
Whenever possible, avoid applying via the Internet.
Most companies offer several options. Best way to apply? Have someone in the company hand the hiring manager your resume. Mine your network! Apply via fax or snail mail. Neatly handwritten envelopes get the most attention.
Whenever possible, avoid the middleman.
Apply directly to the company rather than through employment agencies or resume databases.
Never skip the cover letter!
Corollary: e-mail subject lines should clearly reflect the job you are applying for [Re: Food chemist position]

Identity theft & job scams

RULE NUMBER ONE: NO NUMBERS
NEVER GIVE OUT YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER, LICENSE NUMBERS, BANK ACCOUNT INFO etc. Employers don't need this until after you are hired.

Rule number two: if they insist on numbers...
Make sure the site is secure/encrypted (https; padlock icon).

Limit your personal information to the bare minimum.
Online resumes/job applications: provide name and e-mail only. Cell phone okay; home phone not.

Check all solicitations for your resume/personal very information carefully.
Does this company exist? Is this executive search firm listed in Kennedy's Directory of Executive Recruiters? Better Business Bureau reports are online.
Red flags
"Employment opportunities" asking you to accept money/transfer funds, reveal bank accounts/financial information, provide past addresses, and personal data (names of family members, maiden name, etc.). If it looks like a credit card application, it's probably bogus. Many of these solicitations are written with bad spelling and awkward grammar.

Five ways to put your resume on the Internet

Enter it in a job database
Most major job Webs and large corporations offer resume databases where you can submit your employment history for employers to search. Registration is required and password-protected. This means your resume cannot be "Googled" or changed by someone else. Resume databases are easy to use: simply fill out a pre-formatted questionnaire. Many larger job Webs (Monster, CareerBuilder, etc.) also offer personal search agents or job scouts, a service that stores your search criteria and notifies you of new openings via e-mail. America's Job Exchange lets you store up to 5 different resumes and cover letters for free!
Copy and paste
Many employers offer the option to "copy and paste" your resume in plain text/ASCII format to their online job application. Plain text/ASCII (files that end in .txt) is standard protocol for Web document transmission. Rich Text Format (.rtf) retains your formatting and are sometimes accepted by copy and paste employment applications. NOTE: every application is different, including the size of the box provided for copy and paste. If your resume looks messy, take the time to make it readable. That's one of the reasons many job seekers create a separate plain-text resume...it saves time!
E-mail attachment
The advantage of the e-mail attachment is that it retains your resume's original format. NOTE: Some employers will not accept e-mail attachments (fear of virus transmission). It is best to find out before you send the resume.
In-line attachment
This method enables you to transmit your resume within the body of your e-mail. Type your resume into your own e-mail and send it to yourself. Create a folder called "resume" and save it there. Whenever you need to send your resume simply forward a copy (as inline attachment) with your cover letter. Send a copy of your resume to yourself to make sure it is readable before you send it off to an employer.
Personal Web page/PDF document/Blog
This option works best for consultants and freelancers. It is an easy way for potential clients to find your company/services and review your credentials. NOTE: these pages are "Googleable." Which means? Anyone typing in your name can find your resume, including your present employer and neighbors. Limit personal information to avoid identity theft.

How to create a plain-text/ASCII format resume

Plain text eliminates ALL formatting (bold/italics/underlines, fonts/font size, creative margins). This makes it readable to the resume databases.

You have two options for creating a plain-text resume:

Type your resume into notepad or wordpad
...Excellent opportunity to skinny down your resume and emphasize your skills with keywords. Online resumes are typically shorter, punchier versions of their print counterparts.

Convert your print resume to plain-text format
...Plain text is a standard "save as" feature on word processing software.

Open your original resume
Select "save as" plain text or ASCII DOS TEXT
RENAME your resume to resume.txt
Close the file
Open resume.txt document (It will probably look very messy...that's okay!)
Tweak your resume to make it readable.

General guidelines for plain-text readability:

maximum line length is 65 characters (resize margins)
USE CAPITAL LETTERS FOR EMPHASIS
use space for clarity
use commas instead of colons, semicolons, hyphens etc.
use +, -, * instead of bullets (leave space between the mark and your first word). Better yet? skip these altogether.
Spelling kounts! Especially your keywords.

Sample plain-text resume

John M. Rice
johnrice@hotmail.com
JOB OBJECTIVE: DISTRICT SALES MANAGER
HIGHLIGHTS OF QUALIFICATIONS
Increased sales by 50 percent in three years
Expanded sales territory from 10 to 28 states
Managed sales force of 100 agents
Created sales associate training program
Responsible for 10 million dollar budget
SKILLS AND ABILITIES
Sales management, inventory control, Powerpoint, Excel
EMPLOYMENT HISTORY
Mega Sales Company, 1995-present
America's Best Widgets, 1991-1995
Joe's Super Food Products, 1989-1991
EDUCATION AND AWARDS
Gold Sales Award, Mega Sales Company, 2002
American Management Association, Sales Leader Certificate, 1995
University of Pennsylvania, BS Business Administration, 1989

[NOTE: we are not suggesting you skinny down your resume to the bare bone! This sample illustrates format only.]

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Prepared by Lynne Olver

Career Resource Seminars..... Career counseling services.....Search for jobs.....Internet job search tips