E-mailing Resume as an attachment

[Superfreak]

Recently started searching for a job. My main source of job searching has been online job postings, I've applied to around 15 over the past few days.

 

I'm kind of freaked out because I've had two employers contact me and say that they couldn't open my attached resume document. One said that it just wouldn't open period when he clicked it, the other said that their email program said the file may have a virus and when they opened it it opened as incomprehensible text.

 

Needless to say I've run a virus scan of my computer to make sure nothings wrong on my machine. But I've sent files to other friends of mine and they havn't had problems opening and reading them.

 

I've been sending my resume as a Microsoft word 2003 document file: .doc , is there a better file format to be sending it as? The two that contacted me back saying they couldn't open the attachment I sent them another attachment as a .txt file and also copy/pasted my resume in the body of the email to make sure they could still read it in case they still couldn't open attachments.

 

Any recommendations on what the best method or file format to send a resume over email is?

[Lionel Hutz]

Sometimes there is no problem cutting and pasting it into the email. Some employers hate that though. I have trouble sending portfolio submissions since the files are so large. So what I did was set up a Flickr account and hosted them there. I also put up my cover letter and resume. Its basically hosting your resume on the web and all you've gotta do is send the link. No attachment no nothing. Ive had a good response doing this. Its like looking at someone's photobucket but it will have your resume. *I just got a good idea for a website.

[steelcitymstro]

I would send mine as a pdf. Much more accessible that way--you don't have to worry about them having the right operating system, software, blah blah blah.

 

Open your resume, go file, print, and then there should be a "PDF" tab in the dialogue box--there you can save your resume as a pdf to your desktop or wherever else.

 

Open up a free e-mail account and e-mail yourself your resume to make sure it's working.

 

Hope that helps!

[WickedSunrise]

PDFs are the way to go. Much more universal and compatible. I use a program called "Green Print" that adds a print to PDF option. Adds a "printer" that will save a new file that is a PDF. There are many other free programs that can print to PDFs.

[Anthropic]

Just use OpenOffice (free download) instead of Word and you can save to pdf.

[karvala]

Another vite for PDF here, because it will be regarded as relatively safe, it can be opened by just about anyone without them needing to buy any extra software, and most importantly, because it will preserve the formatting no matter what, so you know that your CV will look to them as it looks to you.

[joebloggs]

I would go with a PDF if you are applying directly to the organisation that has the vacancy.

 

If applying through an agency then use Word 2000 / 97 format to ensure that everybody will be able to open it. Many agencies like to remove your full name and contact details, they will not be able to do that with a PDF.

 

It may be worth blind carbon copying (BCC) to one of your own web based email accounts. At least then you can ensure the attachment has not become corrupt when you sent it. If it is OK in your web based account and not at the organisation you have applied to then it will be a problem on their firewall, email server or PC’s.

 

Hope that helps,

 

JB.

[Superfreak]

Thanks for the assistance everyone. I'm going to start e-mailing resume's as pdf's for the advantages that everyone already outlined. I'm also attaching them as .rtf files in addition to the pdf in case any employer wants access to a changeable text document.

 

So what I did was set up a Flickr account and hosted them there. I also put up my cover letter and resume. Its basically hosting your resume on the web and all you've gotta do is send the link. No attachment no nothing. Ive had a good response doing this. Its like looking at someone's photobucket but it will have your resume. *I just got a good idea for a website.

 

This is a really interesting idea I like it alot. I'm surprised there's not dedicated websites for this type of thing. I don't have any experience with Flickr but it's something I'll look in to. Thanks