Plain Text Resume Writing Tips

What is a plain text resume and why might you need one? This is a question asked by many. Today, resumes are being submitted online more and more, as employers post jobs and applicants respond. With the increasing growth of technology, hardly anyone mails a resume or delivers it in person. The information below will explain how to create a plain text resume, and why it is essential in today’s business world.

ASCII (askee) and plain text resume

The ASCII and the plain text resume are one and the same. The reason you need a resume laid out in this format is that it is a simple one that does not use any formatting that is specific to a particular application, which means it can be opened and read by any software a potential employer may use; you can easily copy and paste into the online application as well.

Many employers specify in job listings to submit your resume in this format. When you choose to submit it some other way, your resume will likely be tossed or ignored, because it will appear to the potential employer that you are not very good at following directions. Always follow instructions to the letter to enhance your efforts of securing the position.

Create this Resume

Is creating a plain text resume difficult?

That’s one of the great things about this type of resume ‘ there are no special programs or software required. Most computers come with notepad, which is all you will need. If you have your resume already written, you simply open the file and copy then paste it in to notepad. It will take a little work to make it look good, but nothing is difficult about the process at all. This will also work with any word processing software you may have, just be sure to save it in .txt format instead of the default format.

If you are just beginning your resume, you can type it directly into notepad and save when completed.

Review your work

Often when you copy a document in to notepad, you will have to make a few adjustments. Sentences become misaligned, tabs and bullet points are lost ‘ but you can correct these nuisances easily. Go through your document, looking for gaps, extra spaces between words, etc. Where you had tabs, simply align your text at the left side of the page. If you had bullet points in your original document, you will have to use dashes or asterisks in notepad.

If you had certain items in bold or italicized print, or underlined, you will lose this as well in notepad. For items like name and headings, simply use all caps. Keep sentences to 80 characters or less for the most professional look.

A plain text resume simply makes it so that any potential employer can open and read your resume; it’s also convenient and easy for you, because you simply copy and paste your resume into the online application ‘ super easy!