A perfect Resume

E-MAILING your resume to an employer or recruitment consultant is fast, inexpensive and shows your ability to handle this form of technology, so use it as often as you can. But there are do’s and don’ts that apply specifically when sending your resume electronically.

Do keep it simple

Your resume should always only be a summary or your relevant skills, abilities and qualifications, and this is particularly true when e-mailing your resume. The person reading your resume may have less time, patience and computer power to read reams of information on their screen.

Don’t use fancy font styles

The recipients’ computer may not have the decorative fonts installed or the large and colorful screen that you’re used to. As a result, your resume may look quite different when it is received. The fancy fonts you have spent time creating may be removed or even worse become distorted, giving your resume a very unprofessional look.

Do use simple margins and proper page breaks

With systems and printers varying from one workplace to another, your resume may not appear as it is supposed to when printed. To reduce the chances of this, keep tabs and margin changes to a minimum and insert proper page breaks.

Don’t cut and paste your resume into the E-mail message

Unless requested, only include your resume as an attachment. A cut and pasted resume often looks distorted, is unformatted and can be difficult to read.

Do include all relevant information in one attachment

Many e-mail addresses displayed in job advertisements belong to support staff who print your resume and pass it on to the person who has the power to put you on the shortlist. Your actual e-mail and other attachments such as covering letters may not be passed on and simply deleted. So make it easy for them and increase your chance of success by including your covering letter, your resume and any other relevant information in the one attachment.

Do check your attachments for computer viruses

If your resume is found to contain a computer virus, the recipients’ virus checking system may delete your entire resume, or worse, you may be remembered as the candidate who corrupted the organizations’ computer system.

Tradition

Many employers and recruitment consultants will print your resume and still use it in the traditional sense. It is important that your e-mailed version contains the same factual rather than subjective information and includes positive language in a succinct and concise manner, just as your traditional. Be careful with spelling and present it professionally within the guidelines set above.