Job Application Tips

Sometimes you may be asked to fill out a job application directly on a company's website and need to convert your resume from a Word document to a plain text.

Below are the steps to convert your MS Word document to Plain Text: 

• Open your existing Word resume document.
• Using the main toolbar “File” menu, scroll down and select “Save As”
• Using the “Save As” box, proceed as follows:
  • In the “Save In” window, select the location where you want to store the new file (suggestion: “Desktop”).
  • In the “File Name” window, assign the new file a name (suggestion: “Plain Text Resume”).
  • In the “Save as Type” window, scroll down and select “Text Only” or “Plain Text”.
  • Click on “Save” to save the new plain text file to your Desktop.
• A screen may appear advising you that the “file you are about to save may contain features that are not compatible with a text only format.  Do you want to save the document in this format?”  If this occurs, click “Yes”.  You may also see a File Conversion box.  If so, accept the default settings and click OK to continue.
• Close the original Word file and open the new file on your Desktop.
• Now to polish your Plain Text resume.
• Align your text to the left, keeping each line to no more than 60 letters.
• The tab key won’t work and don’t bother trying to center anything.
• Use asterisk to replace bullets or the hyphen to make separations.
• Utilize all capitalizing, underlining with hyphens, and making the most of the white space.

Partial sample:

Robin Rambler

123 State Street

Chicago, IL  60611

(312)456-7890

robinrambler@luc.edu

OBJECTIVE

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To obtain a position in finance.

EDUCATION

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Loyola University Chicago

*Bachelor of Business Administration

**anticipated May 2008

***major: Finance

EXPERIENCE

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ROCKWOOD INSURANCE, Chicago, IL

Financial Analyst, 10/2004-present

+Developed new financial structure for analyzing vendors.

+Maintained financial records of various clients.