Should you have an ASCII (text only) copy of your cover letter? Pronounced as-kee, ASCII simply means the document has been stripped of all beautification features such as bold, italics, decorative lines, bullets, and fancy fonts. An ASCII cover letter is typically pasted within the body of an e-mail, or submitted within an online form. By simplifying the document, you’re enabling management systems to “read” your submission. If not transformed into this version, the document will ultimately end up at its destination with extra characters or gibberish, and therefore, makes your cover letter look less than professional. Companies have long been accepting basic, ASCII cover letters, so don’t worry when you finally see the Plain-Jane version of your cover letter.
This tip is excerpted with permission from Designing a Cover Letter to “Wow” Hiring Personnel, an e-book by Teena Rose. For more cover-letter tips, visit Teena’s Bookstore to download your copy for $27.77. You can also download a free 19-page excerpt.
