TechWhirl (TECHWR-L) is a resource for technical writing and technical communications professionals of all experience levels and in all industries to share their experiences and acquire information.
For two decades, technical communicators have turned to TechWhirl to ask and answer questions about the always-changing world of technical communications, such as tools, skills, career paths, methodologies, and emerging industries. The TechWhirl Archives and magazine, created for, by and about technical writers, offer a wealth of knowledge to everyone with an interest in any aspect of technical communications.
Subject:Re: Advice on Resumes From:John Posada <john -at- TDANDW -dot- COM> Date:Sun, 14 Feb 1999 15:41:13 -0500
> > When sending a resume electronically (via email) do I send it as an attachment, in the body, as a pdf, a word file, frame file, or all of the above.
Regarding this discussion on how to send a resume.
First, what is the problem with asking how the recipient wants it? Everytime I have someone request a resume, I ask. I don't mind. Some of the input to
this thread seems to imply that there is some universal format that everyone should comply with without asking. That doesn't make sense.
Second, I keep my resume in several formats; Word 97 (which I can save down to version 6/95 upon request), html, ascii, and pdf. In fact, I use a service
that allows me to send an email to a fax machine phone number, attach a PDF to the email, and the service will print the email as fax pages, formatted
exactly as composed. They will keep trying over a 24 hour period, and when it goes through, give me a delivery receipt by email, all for $.15 per fax
anywhere in the world, charged directly to my credit card. I can also include as many email addresses in the one transmission and each one will get a copy
and it usualy takes about 3 minutes to arrive. Great for sending a copy while on the phone during a conversation.
If I am sending it to an address that I haven't spoken to first, I won't send the resume. I'll send a letter comparable to a cover letter; outlining why I
should send the resume. I'll then ask them what format they would like. However, regardless of why I'm sending it, I always ask what they want.
In addition, when I send it, I will include link to a web page with alternative PDF and html links as a backup.
