Edited: March 15th, 2019.

Share your resume in PDF format, unless the chore post or recruiter yous are responding to specifically asks for a different format. Resumes in PDF format are preferable considering they are compatible with most systems and will alter in appearance from one computer to some other.

Should I send my resume as PDF or Doc?

PDF vs DOC vs DOCX

Some companies utilise an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) which are programs used to automatically scan for specific words within resumes. When this method is used, merely the resumes that brand it through this first automated step are reviewed by an actual person, unremarkably the 60 minutes representative. In the past, these systems could not procedure PDF files, and so the full general wisdom was to submit a .doctor file instead. However, this is no longer the case.

First, consider that simply very large companies use these systems. Most small and medium-sized businesses practise not automate the beginning stage of vetting of your resume, making such precautions unnecessary. In case a company does use a organization that can't procedure PDF files, they will probably include a note in the chore post – ane more than reason to read those posts advisedly.

Present chore applicants besides share a lot of information on sites such every bit Glassdoor or Reddit. It's always a practiced thought to research a company thoroughly before applying to a position; you lot might find useful tidbits about resume' formatting in your search.

If a friend or acquaintance works or used to work at the company you are applying to, enquire them whether they know what format the Hr department prefers for resumes.

Lastly, consider paying for LinkedIn Premium and emailing company representatives directly if y'all're still in doubtfulness. LinkedIn Premium gives y'all the power to send a set number of emails to people outside of your network, lets yous come across who posted available jobs, how many people are applying, and a wealth of other data.

Equally mentioned in a higher place,PDF should exist your format of pick. If y'all detect that it's not accustomed at a specific company, then apply the .doc format, just avoid .docx. Although .docx has been the default format for Word documents since 2007, some people may nonetheless be using older versions of Word or other software that will not read this relatively newer format.

WORD to PDF and PDF to WORD

Always write and design your PDF in Give-and-take, or a like program. Fifty-fifty if you are in a artistic field, such as web or graphic design, you'll want your resume to be legible by ATS. If yous design your resume in Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, or another graphic design program, yous will terminate up with an image file that tin be converted into a PDF file merely will not pass a machine scan for specific words. Utilise Give-and-take to write your resume and use your creative skills to build your portfolio. Your portfolio won't exist auto scanned, merely nevertheless convert all JPG to PDFs if you're going to share your portfolio as an attachment or every bit downloadable files, every bit PDF files are more accessible. You can merge PDF documents and also compress PDF files (fifty-fifty compress multiple PDF files at the same time) to create one PDF presentation.

One time you take your resume ready in Word, you can easily convert it to PDF format using the FoxyUtils Word to PDF tool. Maybe you're not starting from scratch and have an older resume you'd like to update, but it'southward just in PDF course. Simply convert it from PDF to Word, edit it, and so covert it to PDF format once again. Brand sure to bank check the PDF file after the last conversion. There may be a few things that appear slightly unlike that you'll want to become back and tweak in the original .doctor file before converting information technology again.

In some cases, a recruiter might ask you lot to submit a Word certificate so they can edit it for yous. While recruiters tin be very helpful and they are probably merely going the extra mile to help you lot get the task of your dreams, ask her to share the final edited copy with yous before she submits it. In the end, you are the i responsible for the way your job history is communicated in your resume.

UPLOADING YOUR RESUME vs. EMAIL ATTACHMENTS

There are two primary means to submit your resume when applying for a job: through an online portal, or by email. Either manner, never skip the comprehend letter of the alphabet!

I often find that in that location is no good place to write a cover letter of the alphabet when applying to a job through an online portal: words cannot be hyperlinked in the box provided, the formatting of each paragraph is weird, or there isn't even a box provided to write a encompass letter of the alphabet! Regardless of whether a cover letter is required or optional, y'all should always submit ane. Repeat afterward me: I volition always submit a cover alphabetic character! When applying through a web portal, if the site provides a space to write the embrace letter in plain text, copy and paste your encompass letter and include hyperlinks in parentheses. Also, e'er too upload a hyperlinked PDF version of your embrace alphabetic character. Some web portals volition prompt you to upload a cover alphabetic character and provide a divide prompt/box to upload your resume.In that case, prepare two PDF files (a one-page encompass letter and a i-folio resume) and submit both separately inside the same application.

If the web portal doesn't have a split up upload box for your cover letter, merge the two PDF files (Larn how to combine PDF files past reading this article), your embrace letter and your resume, to create a ii-page PDF document. Then upload that certificate to the resume field.

If you are applying for a job by email, the aforementioned rule applies: e'er submit a cover alphabetic character with your resume. If y'all are responding to an email, or emailing an employer or recruiter awaiting your application, I recommend copying and pasting the cover letter in the body of the email and so your encompass alphabetic character essentially becomes the email itself, with a few tweaks. Include all hyperlinks, then adhere your 1-page resume to the e-mail in PDF format. Include a line at the beginning of your email that says you lot attached your resume and make sure the attachment sends successfully.

If you are responding to a job post by electronic mail, copy and paste both cover letter and resume in the body of the email. You'll have to work on your resume'due south look and feel. I recommend sending a test email to a few friends who use different computers and programs to make certain your resume transfers correctly. As well attach a 2-page PDF file that includes your cover letter and resume. Include a line in the e-mail that mentions that y'all have attached the PDF files. If you cannot make your resume look "skillful" by copying and pasting information technology in the electronic mail, I suggest using the same arroyo every bit in the previous scenario: use your cover letter as the torso of your email and adhere your ane-page resume in PDF format.

If yous have two PDF files, y'all can use Merge PDF to merge them into one document. Remember to shrink the PDF likewise, so it isn't as well big, specially when sending information technology past email. If you find yourself needing to ship 2 smaller carve up files, apply Divide PDF instead. Don't forget that if yous are a FoxyPremium subscriber, or on your free trial, you can take reward of Workflows to seamlessly merge and shrink your files. As a back-up, it's always a good idea to upload all of your resume files to Dropbox or Google Bulldoze, that way you can always admission and upload them to FoxyUtils, no matter what computer y'all happen to be using.

NAMING YOUR FILES

One terminal note: the way you name your files matters! A adept format is: Name_LastName_CoverLetter_Resume or a variation of this, due east.m. FirstNameInitial_LastName_Resume_Company. Make information technology very like shooting fish in a barrel for your potential employer or recruiter to detect your files and to know what they are. You should tailor each resume and embrace letter of the alphabet to the specific company and position y'all are applying to…merely that'due south some other topic for some other post.

Happy job hunting!