Converting Word to ASCII Text Only

First, open up your resume or whatever existing Word file your resume is stored under.  Then click on File at the top of your menu bar.  A small drop down box will appear and you should then highlight or double click on Save As.  Another drop down box will appear.  Go to the field that reads, File Name and make sure to give your resume a new name.  Something that’ll make it easily distinguishable from your regular Word resume, e.g. My Text Only Resume, My ASCII Resume, Tina’s Text Resume, etc.  Now, go down to the Save As Type field.  Use the arrow to locate Text Only and then make sure to click on it and then click OK.

On your computer’s screen, you’ll notice that your document still looks the same.  In order to see your new changes, you have to close this document and open the new text only version.  Once you’ve opened up this newer document, you’ll notice that much of your original formatting has been erased.  If during the conversion process a period or two was removed or some unwanted space was added or deleted, go ahead and make necessary adjustments.  Insert your periods again, or remove any extra spaces you didn’t want, but otherwise try to leave this new text only version as much intact as possible. 

Now, the next time you get a request from a prospective employer to send your resume to them via email while also stressing that it must be scannable, you can conveniently send them your new and improved ASCII text only copy.

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