In this article for U.S. News and World Report, Alison Green explains, Everything You Need to Know About Submitting a Resume. 

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Job seekers are constantly asking questions about the mechanics of submitting a resume to an employer: What file format should a resume be in? Should the cover letter be attached to the email, or sent in the body of the email itself? Does it matter what the file is named?

These are all minor issues, but ones that job seekers nonetheless can find themselves agonizing over. So let’s get these questions answered once and for all and eliminate any anxiety over this portion of a job search.

But before we do, here’s a hopefully obvious caveat: If an employer’s instructions contradict any of the below, you should follow those instructions instead. Curious job seekers, here are some answers to your questions:

What format should my resume be in—PDF or Microsoft Word?

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This article from Lifehacker answers the question, How Can I Make Sure My Resume Gets Past Resume Robots and into a Human’s Hand?

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Dear Lifehacker,
I heard that a lot of companies use software to weed out “good” from “bad” resumes. How do those systems work, and is there anything I can do to improve my chances of my resume getting through the system and into the hands of a real person?

Thanks,
Resume Revamper

Dear RR,
It’s true: Employers and hiring managers are turning more than ever to resume screening software, thanks to the overwhelming number of job applications they get. It pays to know how these systems (called Applicant Tracking Systems or Automated Resume Screeners) work so you can make your resume more relevant to the job you’re applying for. Here’s a brief overview of how the software analyzes your resume and what you can do about it.

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LiveCareer reports, New report finds hiring of college graduates to remain steady through 2012.

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A new report by Michigan State University (MSU) has found that having a college degree on a resume may help more people find work next year.

According to the university’s 40th annual recruiting trends report, more businesses are expecting to hire recent college graduates through 2012. Hiring for those with a bachelor’s degree on their resume is expected to increase by 7%, while those who earn a doctorate will see hiring increases of up to 12%.

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In this Digits video from the Wall Street Journal, Leslie Kwoh explains how companies are looking to young employees for Social Media advice. (Click link below if video does not appear)

Young Workers Become Social- Media Mentors

In this article from U.S. News & World Report, Miriam Salpeter shows you How to Look and Feel Your Best for Holiday Networking.

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Some people believe this time of the year is not the ideal time to be in job search mode. Conventional wisdom suggests everyone is too busy delving into the holiday season to focus on identifying and securing new candidates. Whether or not you subscribe to the “holidays are slow for hiring” theory, there’s no doubt it is an opportune time to take advantage of networking. Parties and informal gatherings offer numerous chances to meet new people, and you may benefit from people feeling upbeat and generous at this time of the year.

It’s a good idea to prepare in advance so you will look and feel your best during this busy time of the year. Have you considered giving yourself the gift of an image update? Diana Jennings, president of California-based Brand You Image and a leader within the image profession works with professionals to teach them how to increase their visual influence. “By giving your image and the visual representation of your brand a boost, you’ll bring positive attention to yourself, while potentially making valuable contacts,” she says. Jennings reminds professionals not to lose sight of the fact that a networking event can actually be an informal interview.

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In this article from About.com, Alison Doyle explains How to Report a Scam.

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In her article for U.S. News & World Report, Lindsay Olson describes 8 Reasons to Continue Your Holiday Job Search.

Tips from this article include:

• Your competitor job seekers may not be looking
• Holiday networking opportunities are abound
• End-of-year budgets may provide hiring opportunities now rather than in January

In her article, What to Do When Networking Isn’t Working,  About.com Guide Alison Doyle explains how you can overcome a slow job search.

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