Resumés:
Converting a Word Document to a Text Only Document
Open up Microsoft Notepad [Start / (All) Programs / Accessories / Notepad].
Under Format, be sure that Word Wrap is unchecked.
Open your Word .doc résumé. Edit / Select All / Copy your Word résumé and Paste it into Notepad Text (.txt). Under Format, select a standard font, preferably Times New Roman or Arial, 10 points.
Make your contact information left-justified on 5 lines:
- Name
- Street Address
- City, State, Zipcode
- Phone(s)
- E-mail address
Delete any bullets and commas that may remain.
With the cursor blinking at the right end of your e-mail address:
- Hit Enter twice, then type in 60 dashes (-) or equals (=), and hit Enter again
- Key in enough Deletes to bring the next heading (usually Education) up even to the cursor
- Place the cursor at the end of the heading
- Hit Enter, then type in 60 dashes (-) or equals (=).
Your document should now look like this:
Now, the 60 dashes or equal signs act as a visual border. All copy that extends beyond the ends of the borders must be “returned” via the Enter key.
Place the cursor at the beginning of each word that extends beyond the border and Enter. Work through an entire sentence or paragraph until it is all left-justified.
You may need to add some additional spaces and covert some text to all caps to make it a bit easier to read, providing emphasis to right places. DO NOT USE TABS, use the space bar instead. If you have existing bullets, you can keep them but may need to do some respacing, again using the space bar.
Here are the BEFORE and AFTER views you can expect:
Once you have completed the conversion, Print it out to insure you haven’t missed any information, and then Save as… a text document (e.g. My Resume.txt).
When you need to Paste this into an e-mail or into an application form, simply open the Text Document and click on Edit / Select All / Copy and then and Paste it where you need it to go.
