Have you seen any job listing on the Internet? What have you noticed? Did it give an instruction to submit your resume in ASCII format?
If you don’t know what an ASCII resume is, then you’re on the right page. Read on to find out the exact type of resume that you need to submit to a hiring manager.
ASCII Resume Defined
ASCII stands for American Standard Code for Information Interchange. It is the “alphabet” used by most of the computers to “talk” and “understand” each other. In short, ASCII is the numerical equivalent of every letter or symbol you use in conversational English.
Does the given definition confuse you? Don’t worry. You don’t need to talk and think like a robot to write one. When companies instruct you to send your resume in ASCII format, they simply want you to submit a text-only or unformatted version of your piece. It means your summary should not contain tabs, bullets, italics, special fonts, lines, graphics, or any formatting styles.
Why ASCII Resume?
So why do many recruiters and even applicants prefer a resume in ASCII format? Here are the top four reasons:
1. It prevents compatibility issues.
Sending your document in ASCII can avoid issues related to compatibility. You do not have to worry about the MS Word version that your hiring manager is using. If you present one in ASCII format, then, it will be viewable to any type of word processing software.
2. It is ideal for job posting sites.
While some job sites allow you to attach formatted resumes online, others limit the files you can upload to simple texts. So, if you want to maximize these job online portals and have your document seen by hundreds of employers, then you should prepare a plain-text version of your career profile now.
3. It is easy to send via e-mail and post online.
An ASCII resume is easier to embed in an e-mail message. You do not need to attach and save a copy of it. Also, you can easily cut and paste it into online forms.
4. It helps improve your market value.
Sending your document in a text-only form is a good way for you to inform employers that you are computer savvy.
Ideally, you need to have a plain text version of your resume to meet the technical needs of various firms and industries. You need it to succeed in your online job search.
If you want to know more about ASCII resumes, you may seek help from our expert writers. We offer resume writing services that will surely take your career goals to the next level. For more info, contact us now!
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