How to Use Wordpad for Resumes

Basic doesn't mean bland. Writing a resume in certain word processing programs, such as Word, allows you to add embellishments and special formatting. With WordPad you only format in plain text, with basic formatting, but that doesn't have to mean boring. Plain text resumes are perfect for sending via email and for scanning. Making your resume stand out depends on the information contained within, rather than how pretty it looks. Knowing how to use WordPad effectively makes your resume stand out.

Click the Windows "Start" button, click "All Programs" and then "Accessories." Choose "WordPad" from the list of programs available to open it.

Begin your resume with your name and contact information at the top of the page, either centered or flush left. Add your website URL, if you have one, under the contact information.

Use all capital letters, bold or a larger font for your headings of "Objective," "Skills," "Experience" and "Education." Select an easy-to-read font style between 10 and 12 points for the information listed under these heading. Arial is the most commonly used font.

Focus your resume keywords based on the ads you read. Knowing what skills a company desires helps you customize your resume based on this information. The information listed in each section accurately describes your abilities to fit with the job description. When a recruiter scans your resume, these keywords help your resume get noticed.

Save your resume as a TXT file to a location you remember easily. Copy and paste this resume into the body of an email if the employer requests this method of contact.