How to Select a Resume File Name

How to Select a Resume File NameHow to Select a Resume File NameWhats the best file name to use for your resume or CV document when you save it to apply for jobs?When youre saving your resume, its important to select a file name for your resume that includes your own name. When you apply for jobs, hiring managers will know whose resume it is, and it will be easier for them to track your job application and share it with colleagues involved in the hiring process. If you schmelzglas your resume to an employer, the document name will be the first thing he or she will see. Once the employer opens the document, the first thing he or she looks at is the heading. Thus, the title and document name are critical to getting your resume a second glance. How to Select a Resume File Name Dont name your resume resume.doc. There will be no way to distinguish it from all the other resumes with the same file name. Instead, use your name as the file name. The employer will know whose resume it is a t a glance, i.e., johndoeresume.doc or JohnDoeResume.docx, for example. Name your cover letter the same way, i.e., johndoecoverletter.doc or JobDoeCoverLetter.doc. Options for Saving Your Resume Unless an employer specifies otherwise, itsimportant to send or upload your resume as a portable document format or a Word document. This way,the receiver will get a copy of your resume and cover letter in the original format. In many cases, the employer will tell you how they want to receive your resume so be sure to follow the instructions and provide what is requested. If you dont follow the instructions in the job posting, you may not be considered for the job. Before you save your resume, you may want to create a new file folder so all your job application materials are in one place. This will help you keep track of different versions of your resume, your cover letter, and when you have used them to apply for jobs. To save your resume as a Word document click on File, Save As, and t ype in the file name you are giving your resume i.e., JohnDoeResume.doc. Select the folder youve chosen to save it in. To save your documents as a PDF, depending on your word processing software program,you may be able to File, Print to Adobe PDF. If not, there are free programs you can use to convert a file to a PDF. Select a folder to save the PDF version of your resume in. If youre applying by email, follow behauptung directions for attaching your documents to an email message. Tips for Choosing a Resume Name Don Fornes, CEO of Software Advice, shares his adviceon how to name your resume, how to save your resume, and other resume tips. Dont Name Your Resume Resume. About a third of applicants name their resume documents, resume.doc. Resume may make sense on your computer, where you know its your resume. However, on my computer, its one of many, many resumes with the same name. By using such a generic file name, the applicant misses a great opportunity to brand him or herself (e.g. John Doe - Quota Crusher). If youre qualified enough to sell or market for us, you wont miss the opportunity to at least use your name in the file name. You Dont Have to Use All Lower Case Im not sure where this trend originated. Is it some text messaging thing? Its so easy to capitalize properly on a keyboard, and its appropriate to do so. Proofread Your ResumeIts unbelievable the number of spelling, grammar, and punctuation mistakes I see in resumes. Again, this is a blaring clue telling the hiring manager that you dont check your work and you dont pay attention to detail. Heres a?checklist to use to proofread your resume. Save Your Resume as a PDF Not everyone uses the same operating system and word processor that you do. I use a Mac. I dont have Word - and I dont want it. My ATS cant handle .docx files. A lot of the resumes I see come through horribly garbled. So much for that nice formatting you did (Did you?).PDF, or portable document format, is a simple solution. Heres how to select a file format for your resume. Remember or jot down the location where you saved the document, so its easy to find it and attach it to an email message or upload. Its a good idea to create a new folder for all your job search correspondence. Another option is to email a copy to yourself, so you always have the latest version in your inbox.