One of the most common questions people ask me is “what is an ASCII resume and why do I need one?”
ASCII (American Standard Code for Information Interchange, pronounced ask-ee) is a universal language that works across all computers and software platforms. Many resumes these days are read by automated tracking systems (a computer program that ranks your resume based on pre-selected criteria) and you want your resume to be in the simplest possible language for the program to read. You also want your resume easily accessible to the hiring manager, even if he is using a prehistoric computer.
So…needless to say, you DO need an ASCII text resume for uploading.
You might also be wondering why you just can’t use Microsoft Word? MS Word doesn’t always open properly and you need to be sure that you maintain the integrity of your original document. The automated tracking system can be confused by complicated formatting and if you really want the job, you do not want to confuse the computers.
The beauty of ASCII is that it stays just the same, no matter who opens it!
Krista Morris is the founder of Virtuoso Resumes and a two-time TORI Award winner who has helped more than 3,000 professionals land jobs faster with strategic, high-impact resumes. Known for bold storytelling and interview-based information gathering, she blends recruiting insight with clear positioning to turn complex careers into compelling brands. Before launching Virtuoso, she spent nearly a decade in workforce development with the State of Arizona and Maximus, helping job seekers move from unemployed to unstoppable. Today, her four-writer team serves clients across the United States and supports career transitions at every level.