E-Mail Format - Plain Text or Formatted Text?

I am having a heck of a time with format of my cover letter.

When I send out my plain text cover letter by e-mail, different e-mail programs (Outlook, Thunderbird) read the fonts differently. Sometimes the font looks too large or too small. Sometimes it would go to two pages.

How to get the font to stay the same for all the e-mail programs?

Find more posts tagged with

Save $250 on 2025 certification boot camps from Infosec!

Book now with code EOY2025

Button

Comments

garv221

Unless otherwise specified, always send a pdf.

mog27

I always just put it in the body of the email and attach my resume in word-format. Is this wrong?

garv221

mog27 wrote:

I always just put it in the body of the email and attach my resume in word-format. Is this wrong?

Nothing is wrong, Sh*t you can go to an interview with no pants on if you like. My preference is just a pdf, its simple stupid and business class universal.

JDMurray

Unless an employer or recruiter requests a specific document format (Word seem to be the most requested because it can be easily edited), always send your resume as a PDF. PDF files are also not as likely to be eaten by spam filters as other file formats are, which is a *BIG* concern these days when seeking employment via email.

sprkymrk

garv221 wrote:

[you can go to an interview with no pants on if you like.

Maybe a phone interview!

Gundamtdk

For the body of the e-mail should it be plain text or rich text format?

sir_creamy_

garv221 wrote:

mog27 wrote:

I always just put it in the body of the email and attach my resume in word-format. Is this wrong?

Nothing is wrong, Sh*t you can go to an interview with no pants on if you like. My preference is just a pdf, its simple stupid and business class universal.

That's right. The "no pants" approach is usually deemed risky and is often frowned upon by the uneducated masses. However, those who have had extensive experience with interviewing know that the best way to exude confidence is with a clearly visible (and clearly shorn) scrotum.

WanBoy67

Tesl

If your really in doubt, I'd recommend plain text. That way there is no chance they are going to have problems reading it, even if they use Mutt to read their email!

I think its possible to worry about these things too much though. As long as your email is void of obvious errors and is in a fairly common format, you will be fine.

felicia barnes

Your resume can only be sent in plain text format for best results. Many employers and recruiters do not accept attachments due to the large file size and also because attachments can contain viruses.

felicia barnes

After reading this from one of the companies I was seeking employment, I think it depends on the company. The was sent to me months ago from a recruiter.

First, send your resume as an attachment. The most popular word processors are Word and WordPerfect. If your resume is in one of these 2 formats, you should have no trouble.

But, because attachments can contain viruses, a growing number of employers prefer that you send the resume in the body of your email.

To do this, just copy and paste the text into your email message.