Why Not Attach Resumes to Emails?
Many Internet users think they should send their individual resumes as attachments to their email messages. They assume that formatted documents that are attached will arrive intact and be easily opened at the other end. This isn't always the case. Here are some reasons why you should not send your resume as an attached file:
- Attached files are known to carry viruses, so employers may choose not to open them.
- Your ISP (Internet Service Provider) may not be compatible with the employer's ISP, making your attachment impossible to open on the receiving end.
- You and the potential employer may be on different computer platforms (e.g., Windows, UNIX, or Macintosh) making the attached files unable to be received.
- You and the employer may have different word processing software programs or versions, making attached files unopenable; or if opened, they may appear as unreadable gobbledygook.
Don't count on the employer going to any extra effort to convert and open your attached file. Chances are, he will delete your email entirely.
Note: If a job posting specifically asks that your resume be sent as an attachment, follow the directions provided and assume the employer is capable of opening and reading it.
Use of this Guide
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