| These days, many companies expect you to send an | | | | remove bold or italicized headings because those can |
| electronic resume and cover letter instead of mailing | | | | appear blurry or faint to the reader. Plain text |
| them. It's faster and easier for both the employer | | | | versions should be composed in MS Word or other |
| and the employee. While this is done for several | | | | word processing program so you can check for |
| reasons, the main reason is that the number of | | | | grammar and spelling errors. You can easily cut and |
| resumes, especially for virtual positions, is usually very | | | | paste your finished resume into MS notepad or other |
| high. In order to cut down on the time it takes to | | | | plain text program. You can use this version when |
| process each applicant's resume, companies have | | | | uploading your resume into a company database. |
| resorted to using online resume databases or | | | | Sending Your Virtual Resume |
| instructing applicants to email resumes to one person | | | | Always follow the company's instructions when it |
| in the office in order to save time and find the right | | | | comes to sending a resume. If the company wants |
| person for the position as quickly as possible. | | | | you to send the resume in an email instead of an |
| Creating a Virtual Resume | | | | attachment to the email, make sure you do so. As a |
| Creating a virtual resume is similar to creating a | | | | potential virtual employee, you need to show |
| traditional resume. While you should include all the | | | | employers that you can follow directions. |
| basic sections in an electronic resume, you may need | | | | Always include a cover letter in your email. This |
| to format it differently so the document isn't a | | | | should be your standard cover letter. It is considered |
| jumbled mess when the hiring manager receives it. | | | | unprofessional not to send a cover letter. |
| When creating your resume, you should create four | | | | Before sending the email, check to make sure you |
| different versions of it - a standard print version, an | | | | are using the correct email address. If the company |
| e-mail version, a scan-friendly version, and a plain text | | | | asks you to use specific words in the subject line, do |
| version. By creating different formats all at once, you | | | | so. If not, use the job title in the subject line. |
| will save yourself a lot of time when applying for | | | | When uploading your resume into a company's |
| virtual positions. | | | | database, make sure that you include keywords that |
| The standard print version can be used when | | | | are relevant to the job position within the body of |
| companies specifically ask you to send one to their | | | | the resume. Use words from the ad, the title of the |
| offices, or when you are turning in an application in | | | | position, or other words you feel are applicable. Don't |
| person. An e-mail resume is a simple version that | | | | allow your resume to become lost in the system, |
| does not include bold or italicized headings. It is more | | | | take the time to find keywords that will make your |
| straight-forward with simple headings that indicate a | | | | resume stand out. |
| new section. If sending an email resume, always | | | | Keep in mind that electronic resumes are much easier |
| check it first before sending it. If copying it from a | | | | to discard if they are not formatter properly. |
| word processing program like MS Word, you may | | | | Depending on the number of responses a hiring |
| need to alter it to fit the email program you're using. | | | | manager receives, they may discard all resumes that |
| Changing the font size, style, and making sentences | | | | are formatted incorrectly before reading them just |
| shorter are common ways to make an email resume | | | | to make their job easier. Make your resume stand |
| more appealing. | | | | out by sending a professional document that has |
| A scan-friendly version of your resume is also less | | | | been edited and formatted correctly. |
| complex than a standard print version. You should | | | | |