Every job seeker needs three files of their resume, each for
different purposes. There are many different hiring procedures used by
companies looking to add staff. Some are manual systems. Some are fully
automated. Some are a mix of the two. They may ask you to submit a particular
file type (*.doc, *.txt, or other type), they may ask you to attach it to an
email, copy/paste it in the body of an email, or copy/paste it into their online
application form.
Why should that be important to you? It’s important because
you have to submit it in a manner that is compatible with whatever system the
hiring company uses. In fully automated systems a human won’t see your resume
unless ATS parsing software grades you into a ‘high’ fit. Many automated
systems are fussy about what file format they will read. So if you aren’t
careful about the file format you submit, you might get overlooked. But that’s
not all. There are also some companies that utilize OCR readers to read your
resume and upload it to a server. In that case not only is the file format
important but also font size and a multitude of other things.
As hiring processes have evolved to include more technology,
document creation that is compatible with the technology has become more
complex, requiring additional knowledge and expertise. If you are in doubt
about how to make your resume and cover letter technologically robust it is
advisable to get help.
Let’s look at some hiring processes:
Automated hiring procedures typically use Applicant Tracking
System (ATS) software, usually accompanied by parsing software. Some parsing
software can ‘read’ many different file formats. Others can only read a limited
number of file formats. All can read *.doc (Word 97-2003) and *.txt files. Not
all parsing software can handle *.wps, *.pdf, (*.rtf sometimes) and others. So it
is prudent to err on the side of caution and keep a
*.doc and a *.txt file as a bare minimum.
If a manual system is used, meaning a human will
read the resume and not rely on automation software, usually any file format
can be used. But there are exceptions. If the
hiring process is a mix of manual and automated, sometimes the document will be
manually printed and then scanned by a Optical Character Reader (OCR) which
will load the document into a server for further processing by ATS and parsing
software. Please be aware, some companies have not upgraded their word
processing software to the latest Word version, so they may not be able to open
your *.docx files.
Optical Character Readers (OCR scanner) have
limitations on what they can convert into ASCII text and load onto a server. When part or all of the document cannot be converted into ASCII text,
OCR will convert it as a bit mapped file such as a *.jpeg. But most parsing
software is looking for text, not jpegs and either won’t read the bit mapped
information or will abort the parsing process altogether. If either happens
your resume is doomed. This as one key reason you need to have a *.txt
document. (Another reason is the company may insist that you submit only a text
or ASCII text document (text and ASCII are the same thing).
So what is the third file format you need? That is the file that you might want to use FOR HANDOUT ONLY
to a warm, live person with eyes who can read and appreciates beauty.
The FHO file should never be used to apply to a job online, electronically.
Why? Because to make it beautiful will require you to utilize document creation
techniques that will usually cause ATS parsing issues! Because you will not
apply electronically with this file, it can be saved in any file format you
find convenient to use.
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Get more help on this and other job search tactics by emailing me at
kl@hoochresumes.com or by visiting http://www.hoochresumes.com.
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