Got another question regarding pdfs, "Would you please explain why you don't like pdfs? It is the only document format proven to be viewed exactly the same on any platform."
What's with this 'you don't like X' this week??? ;-)
I like PDFs fine. I just think your resume has no place being in one.
Why?
Because too many Applicant Tracking Systems, ATSs don't scan or read them properly. Which means that when our hard-working recruiting-types go a-searching, they miss your resume.
In this case, all that cognitively-based formatting, and that way-too-cool-for-school font are wasted.
So, if you want a job, put your resume in either Text format or a Microsoft Word format.
I do this because of the ATS issue... but the ATS and recruitment software out there is pathetic. There are free, open source libraries that index PDFs - there have been for a decade.
As a software pro, the recruitment software companies are using just makes me cringe it's so poorly done. But, at the end of the day, I want my resume read, so I play by their rules.
HR, though, seems to need a wakeup call regarding the tools they use. Given the stated emphasis companies put on hiring the right people it's shocking to see the tools used.
Posted by: rick | March 11, 2009 at 12:16 PM