Creating a plain-text resume is a smart move. You never know when you might need it for a job application. Follow our step-by-step guide to create a basic resume from the beginning. We've also included examples of plain-text resumes for you to use as inspiration.
What is a Plain Text Resume?
A plain text resume, or ASCII resume, is a resume made up only of text. It doesn't include any fancy graphics, special fonts, colors, borders, or tables—just the basic letters and characters found on a standard keyboard.
Plain Text Resume Example
Full Name
Pittsburgh, PA 15201
(555) 555-5555
example@example.com
PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY
Experienced Restaurant Manager with a proven track record of success in building and motivating strong restaurant teams. Capable of handling over 200 customers per hour, maintaining cleanliness, managing inventory, and reducing waste. Consistent history of improving operations, team building, and increasing revenue.
WORK HISTORY
Feb 2014 to Current
Outback Steakhouse – Pittsburgh, PA
Restaurant Manager
- Reduced labor costs by 17% while ensuring excellent service and profitability
- Managed a 7-person back-of-house team and an 8-person front-of-house team for a busy steakhouse
- Evaluated business operations to optimize workflows, increasing customer satisfaction by 80%
November 2010 to February 2014
TGI Fridays – Pittsburgh, PA
Assistant Restaurant Manager
- Reduced annual food and labor costs by 15% through budgeting, scheduling, and inventory management
- Followed hygiene and food safety rules at federal, state, and local levels for SEO-friendly content
- Coordinated kitchen stations with managers to reduce customer wait times by 50%
May 2007 to November 2010
BJ’s Restaurants, Inc – Pittsburgh, PA
Restaurant Team Leader
- Assisted customers with placing special orders for significant events.
- Recruited and hired over 10 employees for the restaurant team
- Helped host, waitstaff, and bussers during busy times such as dinner hour
SKILLS
Conflict resolution techniques
Performance improvement
Staff management
Service-oriented
Trained in performance and wage reviews
Business operations
Inventory control and record-keeping
Marketing and advertising
EDUCATION
Park Point University Pittsburgh, PA
Bachelor of Arts in Hospitality Management
The .txt or ASCII format is simple and lacks elaborate design elements, as illustrated in this example of a text resume.
You should use a plain text resume in the following situations
- Submitting your resume in an online form: When you're required to enter your resume on a form page on an employer's website, a plain text resume is ideal. It presents your credentials in an organized way.
- Submitting your resume in the body of an email: If you're sending your resume directly in the body of an email, using a plain text format ensures that hiring managers can easily read it, regardless of the browser or email app they use.
- Adding your resume to a job board: While some job boards are becoming more advanced in displaying different file formats, a plain text resume guarantees that your document will be readable every time. It ensures compatibility with various systems.
How to Format a Plain Text Resume
Follow these practical tips for formatting your text resume.
Use Fixed-Width Fonts
- Choose a fixed-width font (monospaced font) like Consolas, Courier, DejaVu Sans Mono, Lucida Console, Monaco, or Prestige Elite.
- Maintain a standard font size (10 or 12) for a professional appearance.
Avoid Italics, Bold, or Underlining
- Omit italics, bold fonts, or underlining as they may not display correctly in plain text.
- Use all caps for section titles (e.g., "WORK HISTORY") but keep the rest of the text plain.
Keep it Simple
- Skip bullet points or special symbols. Use standard characters like plus symbols (+), asterisks (*), or hyphens (-).
- Replace "smart" or curly quotes with straight quotes.
- Create dividers between sections using simple symbols like = or -, repeating them several times (e.g., ==================).
Aim for 60 Characters per Line
- Research suggests that 60 characters per line are optimal for readability.
- Create dividers that are 60 characters long and ensure each line of text stays within this limit.
- Check line length by opening the document in a text editor; adjust line breaks if needed.
Use Spaces and Hard Line Breaks
- Avoid using the tab key or "soft" line breaks (Shift + Enter) as they can disrupt formatting.
- Use individual spaces and hard breaks (press "Enter") for line breaks when organizing information.
Converting Your Word Resume to a Plain Text Resume
To convert your Word resume to a plain text format, you can use either of the following methods.
Save or Export as Text
- In your word processing app, click on "save as" or "export."
- Choose the text format (e.g., ".txt") as your saving option.
- Open the newly saved resume using a text editing app like Notepad or WordPad.
- Follow the formatting tips provided in the "How to Create a Plain Text Resume" section above to update and refine your text resume.
Copy and Paste
- Select the entire resume in your word-processing app.
- Copy the content.
- Open a text editing app (e.g., Notepad or WordPad).
- Paste the content into the text editor.
You may notice some formatting issues; follow the text resume formatting tips to clean up your document.
Plain Text Resume Writing Tips
Creating a plain text resume relies on the power of your words. Follow these resume writing tips to make a strong impression.
- Energize with Action Verbs: Use dynamic action verbs (e.g., managed, oversaw, executed, led) to showcase your accomplishments. Demonstrate your proactive and in-control attitude through powerful language.
- Choose the Best Resume Format: Tailor your resume format to highlight your strengths. If you're skillful but lack experience, use a functional format and place the skills section at the top. For a robust work history, opt for a chronological format. Ensure clear section headings with symbols and capitalization (e.g., Education or EDUCATION).
- Include Keywords from the Job Description: Use words strategically by incorporating key terms and phrases from the job description. If the job emphasizes "independent technical review of documentation," highlight your experience in that area in your resume summary. For essential qualities like "complaint resolution," include it in the list of your top skills.
Crafting a plain text resume allows your words to speak volumes. Use action-packed language, choose the right format, and integrate keywords to effectively communicate your qualifications.
Plain Text Resume FAQ
Are plain text resumes better?
It's recommended to have a copy of your resume in plain text format because some companies may prefer it for security reasons. Additionally, certain jobs may require you to submit your resume through a website form.
When should you make a plain text resume?
Create a plain text resume when submitting your resume in an online form, pasting it in the body of an email, or adding it to a job board. This format presents your skills and work experience in an organized manner, ensuring readability for hiring managers and recruiters across different browsers and email platforms.
How to Create a Plain Text Resume or Document?
- For PC: Go to your desktop screen > Right-click your mouse > Select "New" > "Text Document" > A blank text document will open, ready for input.
- For Mac: Find TextEdit in your Applications folder > Launch the program > Click the “Format” menu > Select “Make Plain Text” > Now, you're ready to create your plain text resume.
How To Make a Plain Text Resume in Word?
Open your Microsoft Word document. Go to "File" > "Save As." On the save screen, choose the “Plain Text (*.txt)” format. Open the new text document in a simple text editor like Notepad on a PC or TextEdit on a Mac.
Remember to adjust your text resume formatting:
- Check for symbols that changed during conversion.
- Replace tabs and bullet points with spaces and safe symbols (e.g., “+” and “-”).
- Use hard breaks between lines.
What is the Difference Between Plain Text and “Rich” Text?
Plain Text
- File format: .txt
- No formatting options like colors, bolding, or italics.
- Looks the same in any word processing app.
- Commonly used for simplicity and universal readability.
Rich Text Format (RTF)
- File format: .rtf
- Allows styling such as colors, bolding, and italics.
- Appearance may vary across different programs.
- More visually expressive but may not be universally compatible.
Avoiding Rich Text Mistakes
- Ensure you create a plain text document when requested by an employer.
- Double-check and convert to plain text if needed before submission.
How to Get Rid of Formatting in Word?
Open your Microsoft Word document. Highlight the text of your resume. Click "Edit" > "Clear" > "Clear Formatting." Now, you can edit and save the document as a plain text resume following the outlined guidelines. This process removes any styling and ensures your resume is in a plain text format.