Step 6: Save the hardcopy version of your resume to earlier version of MS Word.
Most employers prefer an attached resume to be in MS Word (not WordPerfect or PDF). The number of employers using the latest version of MS Word (2007) is increasing every day; however, it's safe to say that not everyone is using MS Word 2007.

Why is this important? Because an MS Word document generated by the 2007 version has a different extension (.docx) than a document created by earlier MS Word versions, which has the .doc extension. MS Word 2007 folks can read .doc and .docx files, while MS Word 2003 and earlier users cannot read .docx files. Translation: If you send a resume created as an MS Word 2007 document (.docx) to an MS Word 2003 (or earlier) employer, the employer will not be able to read your resume. Oops! What should you do?

If you're an MS Word 2007 user, save your resume document to an earlier version. Here's how:

1. Click the Office button in the upper left corner of your MS Word window.
2. Select Save As.
3. From the Save As Type pull-down menu, select Word 97-2003 document.

That will convert the document to a .doc file, which can be opened and read by any employer, no matter which version of MS Word he uses.

If you use a version of MS Word that's earlier than 2007, you don't have to do any conversion. Just attach the .doc file of your resume to your email.

Don't count on the employer going to any extra effort to convert and open your attached file. If your resume doesn't open smoothly, chances are he'll delete your attachment.

Use of this Guide
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