Embracing the Resume Reentry Game: Why You Need a Plain Text Resume

Applying for jobs online? I feel your pain. Every day.

Job Seeker Struggling with ATS

Online job applications can be rough. You upload your professionally written resume and think, “Okay, I’m making progress.” Then the next screen loads… and it’s chaos.

Your name, phone number, and email address might transfer over correctly. But the rest? Not so much.

Sometimes your job history gets scrambled. Your job title ends up under the wrong company. Your education section might be completely missing. And no matter how many times you include your address on your resume, it never seems to make it through. You end up retyping the same information again and again.

This is the part of the job search everyone is putting up with. The part where you're not just looking for a job and you end up managing a broken online application system. 

It’s tedious.  It’s annoying. 

And if you're applying to more than a few roles a week, it can start to wear you down fast.

Why You Need a Plain Text Resume

As someone who submitts hundreds of job applications on behalf of clients, I see firsthand how inconsistent applicant tracking systems (ATS) can be. Sometimes they process resumes perfectly. Other times, it’s a complete mess. 

Most applicant tracking systems were built to process large volumes of candidate data. That means the formatting on your beautifully designed resume might actually work against you.

When a resume contains columns, bullet points, or tables, those formatting elements often confuse the ATS. That’s when fields get skipped or scrambled. And suddenly, you’re left re-entering all your job experience, education, and skills from scratch.

This is where a plain text resume can be super helpful for ATS optimization and job application support.

A plain text resume is a simplified version of your resume saved as a .txt file. It removes all formatting, fonts, and design elements. It helps make your resume clean, scannable, and ATS-friendly. It’s easy to copy, paste, and apply.

In addition to saving you time, a plain text resume can help you in several practical ways:

• Use it when your job history shows up incorrectly in the ATS. Instead of starting over, you can copy clean data straight from your plain text resume.

• Use it when the application form asks you to paste your resume into a text box. With plain text, there’s no formatting to fix afterward.

• When uploading to job boards like Indeed, Monster, or ZipRecruiter, bots scan your resume to populate your profile. A plain text file increases parsing accuracy.

• Some employers specifically request a text-only resume. Having one prepared means you’re ready to apply immediately.

• International or government jobs may use outdated or strict submission portals. Plain text resumes reduce compatibility issues.

Recommended approach: When you're filling out a profile on a company's website, I recommend beginning a candidate profile setup by uploading a plain text resume. This will allow the applicant tracking system to auto-fill as much information from your resume as possible. I also include a well-formatted version of the resume as a separate attachment (if allowed) for human eyes.

How to Create a Plain Text Resume 

Creating your own plain text resume is straightforward, but there are a few important formatting rules to follow to make it effective for ATS and application form compatibility.

• Step 1: Start with your current resume. Open your resume in Google Docs, Word, or your preferred program. Save a copy as a .txt file.

• Step 2: Strip out formatting. Remove bold, italics, bullet points, tables, logos, and columns. Use symbols like asterisks or plus signs in place of bullets.

• Step 3: Make section headers easy to spot. Use all capital letters for headers like EXPERIENCE, EDUCATION, SKILLS, and CERTIFICATIONS.

• Step 4: Align all text to the left. Avoid tabs or indentations. Use the spacebar instead to keep everything in line.

• Step 5: Limit line length. Keep your lines under 65 characters wide. This prevents awkward line breaks when pasting your resume into online forms.

• Step 6: Use keyboard characters only. Avoid smart quotes, icons, emojis, or any characters that could turn into strange symbols.

• Step 7: Review in a plain text editor. Open the file in Notepad, TextEdit, or another basic editor to check formatting. Fix any odd spacing or breaks.

BONUS: Add your full address to the plain text resume to pre-populate the address feilds, or other fields, typically required by applicant systems. Save yourself another step!

This version of your resume is now fully optimized for job board uploads, ATS parsing, and fast form-filling. It might turn out looking something like this:

Plain Text (.txt) Resume

Always Attach a Formatted Resume for the Human Eye

Plain text resumes are ideal for ATS optimization and automated job application support, but they don’t replace a clean, polished resume designed for human readers.

Once you’ve filled out the application form using your plain text resume, make sure to attach your full formatted resume. This version helps recruiters and hiring managers understand your experience at a glance.

So remember: the plain text resume gets you into the system. The formatted resume helps you stand out once you’re in.

Conclusion: Save Time and Apply Smarter

Job searching is already a full-time job. You shouldn’t have to retype your resume every single time you apply. If you’re serious about your job search, resume optimization for ATS is essential.

Let’s make the application process work for you, not against you.

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Need help creating your plain text resume? Reach out to me directly or submit your resume here for assistance.