Are paper résumés a thing of the past? With so much correspondence conducted via e-mail or text message today, mailing an actual piece of paper seems passé.

There’s no doubt that advancing technology has made daily activities like paying bills, shopping and conducting research fast, easy and convenient. And with the plethora of online job search sites that let you e-mail or upload résumés, applying to jobs is no exception to this rule. When it comes to submitting applications, however, the most convenient method isn’t necessarily the best one.

According to Deborah Brown-Volkman, president of a New York-based career coaching company, paper résumés may be underutilized, but that doesn’t mean that they aren’t relevant in today’s increasingly high-tech world. If anything, paper résumés are more important than ever. “Any way you can stand out as a job seeker, you should do,” Brown-Volkman says. “If everyone is sending e-mail, then send paper.”

Robert Weiss, public relations manager for Robert Half International, agrees. He says that paper résumés offer job seekers benefits that résumés sent electronically lack. “[A paper résumé] is more portable,” he says. “Hiring managers don’t need to be in front of their computer to review it, and it also may be easier to read in some cases.” Furthermore, submitting a paper résumé eliminates formatting errors that can happen with e-mail. The best strategy for job seekers, Weiss says, is to send both paper and electronic versions of their résumés whenever applying to jobs.

Job seekers also need to be aware that some companies still prefer the “old-fashioned” way of finding applicants. Linda Finkle, CEO of Incedo Group, an organizational coaching and consulting company, says that if an applicant comes across a job listing that doesn’t provide an e-mail address, then paper is definitely the way to go. “There is a reason they didn’t provide an e-mail address,” she says. “They prefer to have it sent another way.”

To ensure the best possible impression when mailing a résumé, use the following general guidelines:

  • Use a standard, easy-to-read font like 11 point Times New Roman or Arial.
  • Always include a cover letter.
  • Print both cover letter and résumé on good quality paper. Look for paper that
    - has a watermark.
    - has a weight of between 16 lbs. and 25 lbs.
    - is at least 25 percent cotton fiber.
    - is in a traditional color such as white, off-white or ivory.
  • Use a laser printer, which will produce the best printing quality.
  • If you’re sending résumés that will be scanned, use plain white 8.5″ x 11″ computer paper with black ink.
  • Don’t staple the pages.
  • If you’re sending a one-page cover letter and one-page résumé, it is usually OK to fold them and send them in a No.10 envelope, but using a larger envelope that allows them to lay flat might make a better impression.
  • Don’t try to fold and stuff several pages into a smaller envelope. Use a larger, flat envelope if you’re sending samples, transcripts or other requested material along with your résumé and cover letter so they all arrive neat and unfolded.