Why I hate Microsoft Word documents

While searching for employment in 1999, I noticed that many, many recruiters stated explicitly that they preferred Microsoft Word documents. Some stated that they wouldn’t take PDF files. One especially stupid firm stated that résumés must be provided as Word documents, and that ASCII text files were not acceptable!

My preferred standard for distribution documents is Adobe PDF. PDF documents retain the precision formatting of the original, including fonts and all manner of graphics. The format is well-documented, and PDF files can be read on every major computer platform today (and even some minor ones!). While not designed for editing, PDF documents do contain text that can be cut-and-pasted into other documents, so the information can be copied to skills databases and other documents used by recruiters.

Compare this with Microsoft Word. First, the documents require a Windows-based PC or a Mac OS-based computer to read, since these are the only platforms MS Word is available for. This, and the fact that Microsoft refuses to publish the file structure specification, makes it proprietary format. Second, you will have to have the fonts I use in order to display my document as I intended. If I decide to use Garamond Condensed (one of my favorite fonts), and you don’t have it on your machine, you’re out of luck. Third, my printer layout may have differences that will change the formatting of the document for your printer, again raising the possibility of the document being improperly flowed. Finally, Microsoft Word is a notorious vehicle for propagating viruses. I don’t need other peoples’ computer diseases, and I’m sure you wouldn’t want mine, if I had any.