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Creating a résumé was much simpler 20 years ago than it is today. Today’s standards not only require keyword strength and a flattering layout, but the writer must also know the audience along with the job seeker’s intended submission process (snail mail, e-mail or online form submission). It is not uncommon for a job seeker to possess several résumé versions.
Versions include ASCII, recruiter, targeted or standard, HTML and a portable document format (PDF). The document should also possess numerous industry-related keywords, just in case it is scanned and read for identifying characters for keyword searches; yet, another version!
Catering to each style can be mind-boggling not to mention time-consuming. A job seeker will spend countless hours identifying and determining the requirements for each style required before designing the document’s content.
I. ASCII FORMAT
An ASCII (pronounced as٠kç) format is commonly referred to as the “ugly” version. If a job seeker intends to submit their document online within a submission form or e-mail, an ASCII version is required. This layout strips the résumé of all formatting, such as horizontal and vertical lines, bold, italics, bullets, page justifications, indentions and spaces. Also, the right margin is typically widened to accommodate transmission via e-mail or online form.
Still confused about the process? View this BEFORE and AFTER summary example:
BEFORE:
SUMMARY
ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT PROFESSIONAL
Excellent Communication / Strong Organizational Skills / Problem Solver
Articulate administrative assistant with a keen sense of office procedures supplying emphasis upon document management, recordkeeping, and basic operations. Conduct and train front office operations within a highly respected medical facility.
- Strong customer service skills, proving a true asset to any professional business.
- Experienced working within several different office environments.
- Office management team player emphasizing upon information collection, system tracking, analysis, and statistical database maintenance.
AFTER:
SUMMARY
ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT PROFESSIONAL
Excellent Communication / Strong Organizational Skills / Problem Solver
Articulate administrative assistant with a keen sense of office procedures supplying emphasis upon document management, recordkeeping, and basic operations. Conduct and train front office operations within a highly respected medical facility.
~ Strong customer service skills, proving a true asset to any professional business.
~ Experienced working within several different office environments.
~ Office management team player emphasizing upon information collection, system tracking, analysis, and statistical database maintenance.
When preparing to send a document within ASCII format, you should do a test run before officially submitting it to a hiring agent or manager. If you intend to include within the body of an e-mail, simply send the document to yourself, review the layout, and adjust discrepancies accordingly. The problems that appear within the test e-mail will most likely be the same problems experienced when submitting this data within an online form.
II. RECRUITER FORMAT
This format can be the most difficult of all! Variations include:
- One rather than two pages
- Including or withholding an objective, summary, or profile section
- Accept simple chronological format only
- Contain industry-related experience / accomplishments ONLY (formatted with experience under the header and accomplishments set off with bullet points)
Recruiters are barraged daily with hundreds of résumés. Unfortunately, because they need to sift through the piles to see who might fit a specific opportunity, they don't even have time to tell you how to best submit. You can't expect them to have something right here and right now that would fit you...so you want to be loaded; and prepared to enter their database with the greatest of ease. Submitting a chronological, bullet-pointed and keyword-loaded résumé outlining your job functions, skills, responsibilities, titles, and major accomplishments BY E-MAIL ONLY is the best way to give them what they need to help you.
Recruiters can be a vital part of any job search campaign, so catering to them can mean the difference between staying unemployed one month versus six months. Take the first step by asking them SPECIFICALLY what they want. Inquire about résumé samples showing their accepted layout along with specific questions relating to accepted categories and page length, to the tiniest of details: font, pica, and margins. This will save you and the recruiters time.
BEFORE
OFFICE ASSISTANT, 1999 – present
Independent Health Services, City, State
Conduct highly confidential database / records maintenance in conjunction with various administrative responsibilities – document preparation, complex system tracking, data analysis, and postal processing.
- Recognized for continued training relating to in-house system upgrades; hand picked to train 55 staff members and designed a 122-page hands-on training manual.
- Coordinate staff meetings allowing in-house brainstorming shedding light upon problem areas.
- Reduced task administration by 25% and eliminated two administrative positions saving $25,00 per year in overhead.
AFTER
(Font change: 12 pica - Times New Roman)
OFFICE ASSISTANT, 06/1999 – present
Independent Health Services, City, State
(A $14 million health care service provider for elderly and disabled patients.)
Responsibilities:
- Conduct highly confidential database / records maintenance in conjunction with various administrative responsibilities – document preparation, complex system tracking, data analysis, and postal processing.
Accomplishments:
- Recognized for continued training relating to in-house system upgrades; hand picked to train 55 staff members and designed a 122-page hands-on training manual.
- Coordinate staff meetings allowing in-house brainstorming shedding light upon problem areas.
- Reduced task administration by 25% and eliminated two administrative positions saving $25,00 per year in overhead.
III. STANDARD / TARGETED FORMAT
The standard and targeted format are grouped together because they go hand-in-hand in today’s job force. A résumé should always appear to meet and exceed the hiring company’s wants and needs. This may require you to research the company and relating positions/industries.
Typical objectives, such as – “Seeking a position within a marketing field that will utilize ten years of experience,” are now seen as bland statements. The following example is to the point and keyword oriented:
MARKETING – ADVERTISING, DESIGN & PLANNING PROFESSIONAL
Media Exposure / Event Planning / Marketing Material Design & Layout
Highly-skilled marketing professional wishes to re-enter into a position utilizing numerous years of market analysis, product / service positioning, and business development experience. Recognized for identifying new money streams and increasing a client base through direct mailing campaigns. Skills overview:
Business Development Campaign Management Market Analysis / Positioning
Direct Mail Marketing Strategic Advertising Public Relations
Charity Coordination Event Logistics Trade Show Organization
Getting a resume noticed - during a 10 to 20 second glance - can be difficult to achieve. Strategically placing relevant skills and qualifications can significantly increase the number of interviews a candidate receives.
IV. HTML (WEB PAGE) FORMAT
This version is intimidating and avoided by a portion of the job-seeking community. The general population doesn’t know how to set one up, and they are afraid of the information, contained within the document, being used against them.
A web page is virtually safe while listed on the WWW. Unless the individual posts the résumé’s URL within a search engine, directory, link page, or another web site, the online population doesn’t know it exists. Precautionary tools, such as a non-index script, will ensure the document is not spidered or indexed by search engines or directories.
With various web site building tools available to consumers, creating a résumé web site (or any other type) can be cheaply acquired; $150 for software; $110 for hosting; $15 URL registration.
Aggressive résumé marketers have found that possessing a résumé web site has revolutionized the way they job search. A URL can be easily included within online correspondence, provided within a phone conversation, or listed within an e-mail signature file. With recruiters, placement agencies, and hiring managers combing the web for qualified candidates, a résumé web site can be practical next step for any career-hunting campaign.
V. PDF Format
A portable document format (PDF) allows a person to take a completed document and take “a picture of it.” This type of file ensures the recipient sees the résumé within its intended layout without software discrepancies.
By taking a picture of the completed document, formatting problems faced by ASCII and HTML formats are no longer an issue. For example:
~ Horizontal / Vertical Lines
~ Select Fonts / Pica
~ Bullets*
~ Centering or indented text *
* Not a problem with HTML conversion
Since a large portion of the computing community owns a PDF reader, this format is widely accepted.
VI. Final Thoughts
In general, job seekers possess several options not available to individuals 20 years ago. Each of these résumé styles is designed to optimize your job search and bring it blazing into the 21st century. A résumé contains many faces, and each can take your résumé-marketing campaign further than you ever imagined! | 
