Quick question about resumes (noticed there were a lot of experts here) - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Option84 · 07-10-2008, 01:22 AM

If I'm not able to hand in a hard copy, what do the majority of employers prefer in terms of file format? PDF or word? Or should I just attach both? Also, if I am sending a cover letter through the internet, should it be written in the actual email itself or attached as a separate document, ie word or pdf?

Flames0910 · 07-10-2008, 03:26 AM

cover letter in the email. a little shorter than one that would have been attached though (google email cover letter)
pdf will ensure that they can read it although word is standard enough too. i'd prob go with the pdf to play it safe, but you really can't go wrong either way here. (maybe leave it as .doc though and not .docx)

edn88 · 07-10-2008, 07:22 AM

Pdf

flamingreen · 07-10-2008, 07:31 AM

If they are looking for a cover letter and resume, I recommend combining both into a single word document. Title the document with your name and make sure it is saved in .doc format and not .docx because you never know if they are running the newest version of word or not. Attach the document to an email that thanks them for considering your application and away you go.

Ruttiger · 07-10-2008, 08:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flamingreen

If they are looking for a cover letter and resume, I recommend combining both into a single word document. Title the document with your name and make sure it is saved in .doc format and not .docx because you never know if they are running the newest version of word or not. Attach the document to an email that thanks them for considering your application and away you go.

x2

I work with university students in career counseling, resume critquing, etc. etc. and both saved in one document, attached to the email is the preferred way to go.

CaramonLS · 07-10-2008, 08:20 AM

1 file, pdf.

Buff · 07-10-2008, 08:31 AM

Do they specify a format they prefer? In the past I've applied for jobs that specified which format (usually word or pdf). Generally you can't go wrong with either format, but there are more cases where word just may not be the best.

fatso · 07-10-2008, 08:35 AM

I am not an expert at all, but I'd do a pdf document. Too many times i've organized something on Word then gone to print it off another computer, only to find the formatting all wonked... Plus, as a PDF attachment, you know the content can't be changed.

I'd maybe make two documents - a PDF of the letter and a PDF of the resume. But you can put them all into one PDF, just make sure there's no overhang of one document into the other.

I'd also alert them in the e-mail what precisely you're attaching, and if they want it re-sent, it doesn't print, they want it in another format, etc., you can send it back to them immediately.

Ayrahb · 07-10-2008, 08:54 AM

This was already mentioned, but you need to check job application instructions. They are not necessarily attached to the job ad itself -- some employers may have info about submitting job applications on their websites.

I received resumes that were scanned to PDF in the past and some of them looked like crap. If you end up sending a PDF file, make sure it looks presentable when printed out.

BlackArcher101 · 07-10-2008, 09:14 AM

If you able to, ask which they prefer. If you can't, send both formats. Some companies used to prefer word docs so their electronic systems would search through the database of resumes easily. I'd imagine these systems can now search through pdf's as well.

Make sure you create the pdf directly from the word doc. Don't print the resume then scan it into pdf. I prefer pdf over any format for all my documents.

CubicleGeek · 07-10-2008, 09:28 AM

My recent job hunting experience would suggest that Word 2003 is more welcome than PDF. Do not send Word 2007 (.docx), most organizations have not migrated and many have not installed the converters.