Computer Hope
Microsoft => Microsoft Windows => Windows XP => Topic started by: sonofagun on February 03, 2010, 02:11:04 AM
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Been trying for years do this, now I come here for some outside help. I wrote some nice neat resumés, all laid out nice with headings and spaces etc, in wordpad. I click on file and then on 'save as', then I click on rtf and put it in my documents. When I try to print or attach the file to an online job application it comes out all over the page, lines start on the right or in the middle, and spread out across the page, hard to read and make sense of. I know this because I emailed them as attachments to my wifes computer, and thats what happens. Thanks people.
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Try a more stable format than .rtf. Use .doc format (MS Word) or a free alternative (http://www.reviewsaurus.com/online-office/offline-online-microsoft-word-alternatives/)
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Thanks Allan, that looks good, but before I download one I just want to ask if it is like microsoft works word processor. I have that on my computer and I once tried sending a resume I made in it, but the recipient couldn't open it because he needed the same program. If I use OOo for instance, am I likely to encounter the same problem?, that they will need OOo in their computer to open it? Thanks for your time, Steve.
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Open Office can be configured to save files in .doc format (MS Word compatible). See this: http://www.mydigitallife.info/2007/01/25/configure-change-or-set-openofficeorg-to-default-save-files-in-microsoft-office-formats/
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rtf is a stable format...
what was being used to open them on the other side?
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Please believe me when I tell you this is a subject with which I am VERY familiar. Resumes should be sent in .doc format whenever possible. I'm not saying .rtf isn't acceptable, but if the OP is having problems with it then he should use .doc and everyone will be happy.
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It sounds like you have MS Works. It tries to save files as .wps which is not compatible with anything except Works. I have no idea why MS did something this stupid. When you save a file you need to change it to a .doc file so anybody can read it. There is a drop down menu on the save as dialog box where you can change the file extension.
It's a nuisance, but it works. As best as I can tell, there is no easy way to change the default settings for what kind of file it automatically saves.
Wordpad would be my last choice for a resume.
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Please believe me when I tell you this is a subject with which I am VERY familiar. Resumes should be sent in .doc format whenever possible. I'm not saying .rtf isn't acceptable, but if the OP is having problems with it then he should use .doc and everyone will be happy.
Oh ok, with regards to the context yes, that makes sense.
wordpad can save in word format as well, but open Office would be a far better choice.
hmm... ok I lied, Wordpad can't save in Word format anymore... Seems the version that came with Windows 2000 was the last version that had that capability.
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It sounds like you have MS Works. It tries to save files as .wps which is not compatible with anything except Works. I have no idea why MS did something this stupid. When you save a file you need to change it to a .doc file so anybody can read it.
the MSWord .doc format is no less proprietary then the .wps format. it is more ubiquitous though since most other programs can read it. Also I imagine the original limitation with works having it's own format is because when it was originally released there wasn't a Microsoft Word to emulate :P.
Anyway, Microsoft works is hardly the only program to have a "unique" file format; .doc, .xls, etc, were all proprietary MS formats until quite recently; Photoshops "psd" format is only ubiquitous because Photoshop is a popular graphics application, not because the format is intuitive or obvious; same with Paint Shop Pro's PSP format. The only reason no other program can read wps files is not a limitation on the part of Microsoft but simply because no other programs developer thought it was worth the trouble.
Wordpad would be my last choice for a resume.
Yeah, wordpad is pretty crappy for anything but maybe a few memos or something you paste on doors, like "OUT OF ORDER" signs, heh.
I know somebody who *shudder* actually uses wordpad to edit text files.
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With my wordpad resumes, if I click on the restore down button, that has the same effect as sending it or printing it, spreads it out all across the page and stuff I had listed on top of each other go beside each other with big gaps. So I am convinced I should try OOo, I will download it now. Good on you all.
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Why not save as a pdf?
http://www.primopdf.com/download.aspx
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the MSWord .doc format ... is more ubiquitous though since most other programs can read it.
That is the point here.
http://www.openoffice.org/
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or if you want, you can save as PDF file, if the recipient of the resume is ok with PDF files. This cute pdf software (http://www.cutepdf.com/Products/CutePDF/writer.asp) allows you to save as PDF format.
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Well its been downloading OOo for more than an hour now and it appears to be stuck on 118mb of 150mb, so I might have to press cancel and start again. Before I do, does 'cute pdf software' allow me to save my existing wordpad resumes to pdf? That may be easier for me.
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Cute PDF will allow ...
virtually any Windows applications (must be able to print) to create professional quality PDF documents - with just a push of a button!
So as long as you are able to print out the file, you should be able to make the PDF out of it.
I assume wordpad files should be fine, however, I've only used the cute PDF software with regular word documents (the .doc files) in the past and it did fine :)
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Well that didn't work, I followed the instructions and made it a PDF file, but when I went to print it the same thing happened, words scattered all over the page. I'll try downloading the OOo again. If that doesn't work I'll get a typewriter and some envelopes. ;)
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If you have trouble with the larger file size of Open Office 3.1 You may try...
Older versions of OOp
http://www.oldapps.com/openoffice.php?old_openoffice=3
List of portable versions. (USB Flash)
http://www.oldapps.com/openoffice.php?old_openoffice=3
Older versions are smaller downloads. But still MS Word compatible.
And they work on windows 98SE and Windows XP.
Linux versions also avoidable.
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Thanks, the big one was going to take more than 14 hours to download and use up a heap of my download allowance. I'm going to try the smallest one from 2003, that should use 1/3 as much and be 3 times quicker. You people are good.
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Well the small one just kept saying 'connecting'for ages and not doing it, so I tried a middle sized one which started downloading then got stuck on 6% for a long time so I cancelled. Maybe I have to take down the firewall?
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Maybe try abiword software (http://www.abisource.com/downloads/abiword/2.8.1/Windows/abiword-setup-2.8.1.exe). It's a word processor compatible with Microsoft Office, and the most current version is only 7.9mb.
I have downloaded the software myself to see that the website is working and there is no problem :)
Hopefully something works for you.
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the problem here has nothing to do with the program being used or how it's being sent through e-mail, but rather because "sonofagun" is literally manually formatting the entire document based entirely on the size of the wordpad window, rather then simply allowing wordpad to repaginate as necessary.
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If you are sending your resumes to search firms and potential employers, .doc is the preferred format. You may use .pdf, but be advised that some companies will simply discard such resumes without even trying to open them. Again, use .doc for resumes whenever possible.
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There may be some resume writing freeware worth looking at. Here's one: OctopusCity Resume Writer (http://www.topshareware.com/OctopusCity-Resume-Writer-download-66154.htm). It was one of the programs listed on http://www.topshareware.com/winway-resume-deluxe/downloads/1.htm.
One advantage of resume software is that it can make the process of creating a resume easier. I have an old version of Winway Resume. It's really easier to use for a resume than Word because it's designed specifically to create resumes.
This, and some other freeware or shareware resume programs will save to .rtf format since they are not capable of saving in .doc format. That should really be no problem. rtf is not inherently unstable; your problem seems to be due to the way you're WordPad to create a resume, as mentioned by BC_Programmer. .rtf is recognized by Word, so any recruiter should be able to open it.
For a lightweight word processor that recognizes .doc format, I second 2x3i5x's suggestion re: AbiWord.
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If you are sending your resumes to search firms and potential employers, .doc is the preferred format. You may use .pdf, but be advised that some companies will simply discard such resumes without even trying to open them. Again, use .doc for resumes whenever possible.
Probably want to ask the company you are applying to what format they would like. It won't hurt your chances of getting in anyway :)
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Probably want to ask the company you are applying to what format they would like. It won't hurt your chances of getting in anyway :)
ABSOLUTELY NOT. Companies receive thousands of resumes a week right now. The last thing you want to do is bother them with a phone call asking what format to send it in. I assure you the proper format is .doc.
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I downloaded abiword and got one of my rtf resumes and saved it as a doc but it still happened wrong. BC programmer is probably right, its the way I put the words on the page in the first place, its real hard to get them where I want them by using space, backspace and tab, (tab is very tricky). I should try and write a new one in abiword and see what happens. Usually where it says attach your resume it says what formats, doc and rtf are always listed. I will have a look at soybeans ideas too, thanks.
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Reading back through your posts where you said it would take 14 hours to download Open Office, it dawned on me that you are on dial up and that's going to limit your choices.
Since you already have Works, I would give that a try, just remember to save it as a .doc file.
You should be able to take one of your resumes from Wordpad and open it Works. You will probably need to do some clean up with margins and headings, but once that's done you will have a good resume that anyone can read.
I've never used them but the resume programs Soybean recommended might also help.
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You may need some help with document formatting.
In general, sentence ends with a period but not never a line break.Unless it is the last line in a paragraph
A paragraph ends with a line break. Some recommend using two line breaks to make it look good.
Indenting a paragraph is optional. But in some case you need a list of things that have to have tab sets. Do not mix tabs and spaces.
Stick to one font. Use Bold and Italic were needed.
A word processor dopes a document. A document can be any length the the material you type will wrap and go on to the next line.
But or a single page you use a page layout, -the use of a template can help. A template is a sample document that already has tabs and formats that you need. You just put in the material.
Too bad you don't have a fester internet. There is lots of help you can get on line. Do you have a school or library nearby with fast internet? Will they let yuo download files? Can you use their printer? With Google you can do the resume on-line and store it on Google.
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Why not mail it to them ? ?
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I downloaded abiword and got one of my rtf resumes and saved it as a doc but it still happened wrong. BC programmer is probably right, its the way I put the words on the page in the first place, its real hard to get them where I want them by using space, backspace and tab, (tab is very tricky). I should try and write a new one in abiword and see what happens. Usually where it says attach your resume it says what formats, doc and rtf are always listed. I will have a look at soybeans ideas too, thanks.
AH HA! see, there's the issue: using spaces.
The key to working with alignment and spacing and so forth in wordpad is the Ruler shown at the top of the document:
(http://bc-programming.com/images/other/wordpadruler.png)
If you'll look at the leftmost side of the ruler, you'll see three things: two triangles, and a small box at the bottom.
The Top "triangle" is for indenting the first line of a paragraph. If you have a group of text selected, it will indent the first line of each paragraph to the position you place it. (note that paragraph is everything between two presses of return).
The bottom triangle sets the margin of the paragraph body. That is, you could indent the body of each paragraph to a lesser degree then the first line; or heck, even more then the first line if your feeling silly.
The bottom rectangle sets the left margin of the entire document.
Now, when it comes to laying out your information in something like a table, or lining up columns, that's where another feature of the ruler comes into play; the tab stops. Basically, lay out your data using a single tab between each item; once you've done that, select it, and click on a position on the ruler. a small black "L" appears. create an "L" for each column of your data, and each subsequent tab will line up with the next tab stop. You could of course set of the tab stops before you enter the data, too, if you like, and this might even be easier since you can see the output as you go.
Wordpad is no exception; the ruler in Microsoft Word acts exactly the same (I believe the function is the same in other word processors as well, but cannot be certain).
Why not mail it to them ? ?
a good idea, but in order to do that they would need to print it, and since the output from cutePDF was messed up one can only assume the same would occur with a printer.
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Why not mail it to them ? ?
It depends on the position he is applying for. If it is something that needs computer skills of any kind I would guess they will expect that he should be able to either email or post a resume on-line.
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The jobs I'm going for are in the outback fixing oil and gas plants, I'm a metalworker, no computer skill required. They dont have addresses, everything is done online these days. I havent had time to do anymore experimenting with abiword or anything yet, I will study BC programmers post again later and try that. I dont have a return button on this keyboard, and not familiar with terms like 'line break',índent' and to me the tab button just moves the cursor or words around to random positions which you adjust using space and backspace. I have a sattelite dish on my roof for broadband as I'm a long way from anywhere, when I've used my monthly allowance it goes slow. Thanks again.
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the return key is the same as the enter key.
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the return key is the same as the enter key.
Both the keys do the same thing: on a Windows computer they will send a CR LF (carriage return and line feed) (or activate the defaulted/selected button) but if you don't have either key (quite strange if you don't) you can use the On-screen keyboard already added on your computer, or you can use another one downloaded off the Internet.
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Both the keys do the same thing: on a Windows computer they will send a CR LF (carriage return and line feed) (or activate the defaulted/selected button)
No. they physically are the same key.
physically. as in real.
older keyboards labelled the key "Return" because that was the label on typewriters. even modern keyboards bear a mark of this previous incarnation- while they are now labelled "enter", they almost all possess a small graphical array that strangely enough depicts the action of "returning" to the start of the next line.
This is literally the SAME key. the same one. no difference. the only difference is the keycap.
but if you don't have either key (quite strange if you don't) you can use the On-screen keyboard already added on your computer, or you can use another one downloaded off the Internet.
*censored*... if you don't have either key you don't have a keyboard that you can use.
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The jobs I'm going for are in the outback fixing oil and gas plants, I'm a metalworker, no computer skill required....nd to me the tab button just moves the cursor or words around to random positions which you adjust using space and backspace...
With due respect, you need to change your keyboard habits.
The space bar is only for putting a single space between words in a document. And after the period of a former sentence. s Avoid using two or more spaces. The tab key is for advance to the next tab stop. The backspace is for a correction. Or use the delete to remove letters to the right.To move the cursor you use the cursor control keys. In a template you ought to use the cursor keys to move around.
A proper DOC file will look good when you send it to a prospect. If you resort to using spaces and tabs together you will find that the document may not be stable if the recipient has a different default font type and size. This may be the reason you have had format problems.
Glad you hear you have a broadband. Now stop d-loading movies and get to work on your resume.
This university has some good pointers on doing a resume in a word processor.
http://kb.iu.edu/data/agst.html
Open Office has the same basic features as the MS and Corel products mentioned there.
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Well its been downloading OOo for more than an hour now and it appears to be stuck on 118mb of 150mb, so I might have to press cancel and start again. Before I do, does 'cute pdf software' allow me to save my existing wordpad resumes to pdf? That may be easier for me.
I think you are better off to get out of a niche and get into the mainstream with OOo.
Even if you don't use all the features, familiarity with it will go a long way towards giving you skills you can use on any job.
Try downloading again at a time when it's not internet primetime, or download from another server like CNET's download.com. Even if the version isn't the latest, OOo will offer to self-update.
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Yes!, I made progress. Just typed one out in abiword, using the enter button to go down a line and those arrows to go up and down and sideways, (never used before, always used mouse to start a new line and space or tab to move across). I saved it as microsoft word doc, and it remained the same when I went to look at it in my documents. I am optimistic now that it will travel well too. I'm thinking if I write in wordpad using those rules it may work there too. When I type my email address in abiword it doesn't go blue and clickable like it does in wordpad. More likely to get a reply if they can click on it. I'll leave that tab button alone till I work out tab stops and etc. ps Geek, I only use the computer for important stuff like this, its facebook and wife who use all the bytes. :-[
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your email doesn't become blue and clickable like it does in wordpad
It should not matter, companies are busy and if they find you are a good candidate worthy of hire and would like to offer you the job (or more likely, an interview for the job), they'll get ahold of you to tell you that
Hopefully you can get the resume looking good
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It should not matter, companies are busy and if they find you are a good candidate worthy of hire and would like to offer you the job (or more likely, an interview for the job), they'll get ahold of you to tell you that
Hopefully you can get the resume looking good
You have no idea what you are talking about.
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First I want to thank all of you for your suggestions. I've learned a lot, especially about the keyboard. Its the best thing I could have done, coming here. I have just successfully submitted the expert looking resume I wrote in wordpad today to the employer. They accept .doc, .docx, .rtf, .txt, .htm, .html, I used .rtf. They immediately sent a reply to my email. Now you can all get back to solving real computer mysteries. Good karma to you all, ;D
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Sound like they can really use your help if they got back to you that fast.
Mysteries like yours is why we are here! :D
Best wishes with your endeavors.