Job Discussion Forums

Lloyduss · Joined: 20 May 2012 Posts: 33

I know it's something trivial but what format did you guys use to send off your University/school applications (Photo, resume, certificates etc)? I'm intending to send mine off in a PDF format to keep all the files together, thanks in advance.

Non Sequitur · Joined: 23 May 2010 Posts: 4724 Location: China

I've only ever sent pdf files but a separate file per doc.
I felt it might be confusing for the FAO to run them together.
Accordingly I send one email with several pdf attachments labelled 'Passport' 'TESOL qual' 'personal pic' etc.

johntpartee · Joined: 02 Mar 2010 Posts: 3258

I send both. Never had a problem.

chinatimes · Joined: 27 May 2012 Posts: 478

For photos, send the photos. No need to make a .doc or .pdf file.

If you are giving a presentation or need to give something with both I recommend .pdf

It's not a trivial question at all. Not everyone knows the difference. A .pdf file is actually like a picture file but can also do text functions. Sometimes, this allows you to search the text while others might simply just be the image of the text and can't be searched. It depends on how the .pdf file was created. Usually, it's default to allow searching, but if you scan a textbook page it might not discern where the letters are. Also, the creator may have put some kind of security restrictions in place to prevent copying.

A .doc file is a more raw version of the file. If you want to continue working on the document at a later date, then you should always keep the .doc. The problem with sending people .doc files is that they might not use the same program you do. A .pdf reader will keep things the way they are, but a document editor will display things the way the program is set by default. The margins might be wider or narrower than what you set them as. So, a picture with text side by side will be switched with one being on top of the other.

Style fonts and text size might also be changed if the program is set at some default. Considering you might be sending to someone who will use an operating system not in English, there is a good chance their program is set up to view their native language. They won't have the defaults you do and for Chinese, they will be reading your document with a Chinese font.

If you set your font to arial and make a .pdf, then they will always read it as arial in .pdf. A picture can always be viewed side by side with text if it was intended to be that way.

You should keep a .doc version for yourself and if people can't read it, send them a .pdf version. Despite what I have said, I usually send only .doc because I keep my files simple with text only. I don't rearrange text that much. I send separate files if they are photos. You could also send them as a .zip file.

If you are going to create a sophisticated file with different fonts and different layouts, then I suggest sending the .pdf.

Some people make .ppt, powerpoint presentations, but again it doesn't always translate well on another person's computer. If you use Open Office, some of the actions are not compatible with Microsoft.

johntpartee · Joined: 02 Mar 2010 Posts: 3258

Now that we're on the subject, I've been seeing some "epub" files. I can't open them with my set-up. Anybody know anything 'em?

chinatimes · Joined: 27 May 2012 Posts: 478

johntpartee · Joined: 02 Mar 2010 Posts: 3258

Thank you.

jonpurdy · Joined: 15 Apr 2013 Posts: 2

If you want your resume and cover letter to print and look EXACTLY as you've formatted, send a PDF.

Word (and other programs that read .doc files) tend to mess up the formatting if it's not the exact same version or if there are different fonts installed.

As others have said, send photos as JPG.

Non Sequitur · Joined: 23 May 2010 Posts: 4724 Location: China

Ooops
I've just noticed that I said send your pic as pdf. That should of course have been jpeg as another poster has noted.

choudoufu · Joined: 25 May 2010 Posts: 3325 Location: Mao-berry, PRC

everything scanned (passport, diplomer, photos, visa, fec) goes as .jpg

resume is a .doc

cover letter? that's the text of the email.

doogsville · Joined: 17 Nov 2011 Posts: 924 Location: China

Lloyduss · Joined: 20 May 2012 Posts: 33

I've updated my application to coincide with your suggestions, thanks guys! Smile

DosEquisX · Joined: 09 Dec 2010 Posts: 361

Lloyduss · Joined: 20 May 2012 Posts: 33

This is what I decided to do thanks to the feedback received:

2x Photographs - One professional & one daily/hobby (PDF) *PDF was chosen so I could reduce the overall file size of both photographs while keeping the pictures image quality* Was 6Mb now > 791kb
Resume (PDF)
Covering letter (Email)
Degree Certificate (JPEG)
TEFL Certificates (JPEG)
Passport (JPEG)
References (JPEG)

Overall my email file size is - 2.3MB