Send Resume As PDF Or Word: Making the Right Choice

In the fast-paced world of job hunting, the importance of a well-crafted resume cannot be
overstated. It serves as your personal marketing tool, showcasing your skills, experience, and
qualifications to potential employers. However, one often-overlooked aspect is the format in which
you send your resume.

When it comes to submitting your resume online, the debate between sending it as a PDF or a Word
document is a common dilemma. Each format has its own set of advantages and considerations, and
choosing the right one can significantly impact your chances of making a positive impression. Let's
delve into the pros and cons of both PDF and Word formats to help you make an informed decision.

Sending Your Resume as a PDF:

Pros:

1. Consistency: PDFs maintain consistent formatting across different devices and platforms,
ensuring your resume looks as intended.
2. Security: PDFs are less susceptible to formatting errors or alterations, providing a secure and
professional presentation.
3. Universal Compatibility: Almost every device and operating system can open PDF files,
ensuring that your resume is accessible to a broad audience.

Cons:

1. Limited Editing: While this is an advantage for security, it can be a drawback if the
employer wants to make quick edits to customize the resume.

Sending Your Resume as a Word Document:

Pros:

1. Editability: Word documents allow easy editing, which can be beneficial if the employer
wants to make changes or add notes.
2. ATS Friendliness: Some Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) prefer Word documents, making
it easier for automated systems to parse and analyze the content.

Cons:

1. Formatting Challenges: Word documents may appear differently on various devices due to
formatting inconsistencies, potentially affecting the overall presentation.
2. Security Concerns: Word documents are more susceptible to alterations, posing a risk to the
document's integrity.

In conclusion, the decision to send your resume as a PDF or Word document depends on the specific
circumstances and preferences of the employer. To maximize your chances of success, it's advisable
to tailor your approach based on the company's application guidelines.

For professional assistance in crafting a compelling resume that aligns with industry standards,
consider leveraging the expertise of BestResumeHelp.com . Our dedicated team of resume writers
understands the nuances of both PDF and Word formats, ensuring that your resume stands out in the
competitive job market. Order now on BestResumeHelp.com and take the next step towards
securing your dream job.
Finally, when you make it past the final round and the company asks for references, make sure your
references match the format and templates you chose for your resume and cover letter. The ability to
customize the font, color, sections, and every other aspect of your resume. Not the overly popular
“Dear Sir or Madam.” You want to show your future boss that you did your research and are really
passionate about working with their team. What made a “good” bullet good and what made a “bad”
bullet bad. But then, before you can send your application and call it a day, you remember that the
job ad requires a cover letter. Most Important: Follow the Directions Research the Company and read
the job description carefully. Job postings may state how the resume is to be sent and in which
format. On average, your cover letter should be from 250 to 400 words long. The hiring manager a
couple of things; Source: resumegenius.com Be direct and to the point. Our carefully selected list of
resume templates is designed to help you with that. It could be cryptocurrency, cooking, World War
2, World of Warcraft, or how Google's bet on segmenting their company under the Alphabet is going
to impact the technology sector over the next 5 years. When asked, recruiters from Google and
Barclay's both said multiple page resumes “are the bane of their existence.” Solution: Increase your
margins, decrease your font, and cut down your experience to highlight the most relevant pieces for
the role. Austin you are just awesome I don’t read so long content but while I was in your blog, I
couldn’t stay away as each point is precise and to the point well explained. Save a Google Doc as a
Word Document If you don't have Microsoft Word, you can save a Word (.docx) version of a
Google Doc. The cover letter will thus present a candidate’s intentions, availability, and
qualifications to a prospective employer. Connect on LinkedIn Follow me on Medium Follow me on
Instagram Austin Belcak Austin is the founder of Cultivated Culture where he helps people land jobs
without connections, without traditional experience, and without applying online. Use this template
Nanica This resume template is a perfect fit for seasoned professionals in traditional industries. Over
the past five years, I've personally applied to hundreds of companies and coached hundreds of
people through the job search process. Add a subject to the email message before you start writing it.
Make sure you avoid the most common resume mistakes and read these tips to write a successful
resume. I spent the next few years working to develop a formula for great resume bullets to help
solve that. Create your resume now Our customers have been hired by: Resume templates Cover
letter templates CV templates Recommended All Use this template Cascade This professional
resume template is the most popular one. Use this template Career Change Resume Time for a
change. Use this template Medical Assistant Resume Prove your match to the position with a
medical assistant resume template that balances duties and measurable achievements. But applying
your bullets to that formula still takes some work. Editorial Guidelines Learn how our experts create
our content Media Mentions Discover where our work has been featured in Press Page Read original
data insights to boost your reporting. This means that the cover letter here will be a guiding
document to know whether the employer will take further interest in checking out your complete
resume. When recruiters scan a resume, the first thing they look for are mistakes. For example, if you
release a product, how did that product impact sales, increase efficiency, or drive retention. If your
deck has better ratings and feedback than previous decks, add that in.
For example, Garamond has a very small x height and Bookman or Arial have a large x height. If
your resume is going to be processed by ATS, keep it simple. This article is definitely a great place to
start, I’d also recommend checking out this resume builder. Running a resume through tools like
Hemingway app or Grammarly is an easy way to make sure yours passes that check. Create a CV
Cover Letter Cover Letter Builder Create a cover letter in 5 minutes. So, open up the job ad and
identify which of the responsibilities are the most critical. CV Help Improve your CV with help
from expert guides. So, make sure to do a lot of research and come up with good reasons why you're
applying. Why? So that the filtering system doesn't reject your resume as not meeting requirements
and so that it's easy to find and categorize (maybe the e-mail address you're sending your resume to
accepts applications for more than one position in the company). Minimalist resume templates
—Created for those whose experience speaks for themselves, these templates offer a clean and
professional look. Write your cover letter in your email body and enclose only your resume. 1 Open
Your Email Cover Letter with a Strong Subject Line The University Writing Center Your cover letter
should follow a professional business letter format. Create a resume now CV CV Builder Create a
CV in 5 minutes. This is a set industry standard, and any “page and a half” resumes are often treated
with skepticism. Leverage our ready-to-use content, written by Certified Professional Resume
Writers for every job title that exists. Greet the recipient by name in the email and inform them who
you are and why you're sending them your cv. Each paragraph should only be one to three sentences
long. This is typically leveraged by candidates who want to highlight major projects and
accomplishments because of their relevance to the position, while showcasing their extensive work
history. You got it Derek! With companies receiving hundreds, if not thousands, of resumes the
easiest way for them to slim it down is by looking for mistakes. How to Write a Resume Learn how
to make a resume that gets interviews. For more information, please visit our Cookies Policy and
Privacy Policy. A professional-looking resume highlights your relevant experience and qualifications
for the job, uses bullet points to organize information, and skips any elements that shouldn’t be
included on a resume. Someone is leveraging your work or paying attention to it and saying “it’s
worth keeping Ankit around.” You need to find those people, figure out what results they’ve seen
from your work, and add those in. This could be an interactive website like Robby Leondari's, a
mock up of the company's website like Philippe's, or a video like Mark's: When it comes to choosing
a resume layout, there is no “best” option for everyone. In the final paragraph, you want to: Wrap up
any points you couldn't in the previous paragraphs. Did you avoid generic reasons for explaining
your interest in the company. Should you pick an MS Word doc or the PDF resume format. Save a
lot of time Your time is better spent forging a career, not working on a resume. Thank you Austin for
such wonderful article for job-winning resume templates. Save preferences This site uses cookies to
ensure you get the best experience on our website. What is a PDF file? A PDF, or Portable
Document Format, is a type of document that looks the same regardless of the application you use to
view it.
If you use only the spacing commands in your styles, you can make very fine adjustments to the
spacing if you need pull one or two words or a paragraph back onto a page. While there's no
guaranteed way to beat the online application process, this will definitely help improve your chances
of getting your foot in the door. She's even worked on her skill set to prepare her for this change in
profession. It's best for creative roles like graphic design or video editing. You probably don’t have a
lot of work experience to show off in this section. Contact Our customer service team is ready to
help. Follow our blog to stay up to date with the industry-leading advice. We accomplish this by
creating thousands of videos, articles, and interactive coding lessons - all freely available to the
public. For example, Garamond has a very small x height and Bookman or Arial have a large x
height. How To Write Highly Effective Resume Bullets At the beginning of this article, I talked
about conflicting advice that you see all the time when you're ready to write a resume. She likes to
watch netflix and is definitely a cat person. I'd love to further discuss how my previous success at
XYZ Inc. Unless specifically stated otherwise, such references are not intended to imply any
affiliation or association with Zety. How To Combine a Cover Letter and Resume Into One
Document 1. Designed to simplify the resume creation process, they're not just easy-to-use, but also
loaded with features: 18 different resume templates to match your needs and style. Your resume will
appear the same despite which download option you choose, with the exception of the TXT file. In
small and medium-sized companies, a recruiter may open every resume but in corporations, those
documents go through a system that works like a filter first - if the file does not meet the formal
requirements (doesn't have specific keywords), it gets rejected. You can simply pick one of our hand-
picked cover letter templates, and you’ll be all set in a jiffy. Best, Taylor Hey Taylor, sounds like
you’re doing really important work. List industry keywords used there and make sure to incorporate
them into the content of your resume. Financial matters. This has widened my perspective and has
given me a sense of. The fact is, some companies can receive up to 250 resumes on average in
response to a single job opening. Spell check should be covered if you're using Microsoft Word or
Google Docs to create your resume. It should not have any charts, graphs, boxes, or special
formatting; Recruiters will specify in the job posting which file format you should send your resume;
If they didn’t, or they gave you a free choice, always go with PDF; Avoid sending both Doc and
PDF, as this will overwhelm the hiring manager process. We got you covered. You can see our
Resume Templates and choose the one that fits you best. For other employers, you'll apply online or
via a job board. Build your Enhancv resume Get an ATS-optimized resume that’s an extension of
yourself. This section should be done in bullets (not paragraph form) and it should contain 3-4
highlights of the most relevant experience you have for the role. You also can experiment with
various fonts that have larger x-heights, which can make the type easier to read at small sizes.
Functional resumes are also great for people who have gaps in their employment.
Greet the recipient by name in the email and inform them who you are and why you're sending them
your cv. Sample Email Resume Cover Letter cpp.edu Details File Format PDF Size: 424 KB
Download Today, most cover letters are asked as email documents. Start your proper cover letter
with your name (formatted like it is at the top of your resume) along with your contact information.
Don't forget to create a cover letter, too—it significantly increases the likelihood of your resume
being read. Log into your Cultivated Culture account using one of the options below: Forgot your
password. I saw you recruit in the xyz industry here in chicago.”. It looks like this: That gave me a
starting point for structuring my bullets and it made a HUGE difference. Proof of capabilities speaks
volumes and is a great way to get noticed. It's common for a cover letter to use left-aligned
paragraphs with equal breaks between them and double spacing between the paragraphs. Past
experience and skills and all that is great, but being able to showcase your talents and genius right
there in the resume itself is something that only a few people can do well. Did you participate in, or
complete, any major academic projects that would demonstrate the practical application of skills and
knowledge. How do you do this? Well, as a start, you want to do some research about the company.
So that i want to say that you should spare some time for it and write it manually. Job Search Learn
how to find the right job and get it. Basic knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint,
Tally. But how do you put an unfinished degree on your resume. It's easy to save your documents in
the file format requested by an employer. Save a Google Doc as a Word Document If you don't have
Microsoft Word, you can save a Word (.docx) version of a Google Doc. A PDF resume is readable
by ATS and also keeps your formatting and illustrations in place. Following a few guidelines can
help you write an effective cover letter. How to open a PDF file So let's say you want to open your
new PDF. This ends up costing the company a ton of money, up to 50% of the employee’s annual
salary. Formatting is something that can easily mess with the presentation of your entire document.
Once you have a clean resume, you can start to focus on more advanced tactics that will really make
you stand out. Use this template Data Analyst Resume This data analyst resume template will
provide the algorithm for a perfect job application that lands interviews. Many PCs and laptops
nowadays use alternative software and also people do not have the same Word versions and use
different file types (such as.doc or.docx). These inconsistencies can seriously disrupt the formatting.
So, to make sure this doesn’t happen, it’s essential to know how to write a convincing cover letter.
You’ll gain full access to resume designs created by HR experts. Why? So that the filtering system
doesn't reject your resume as not meeting requirements and so that it's easy to find and categorize
(maybe the e-mail address you're sending your resume to accepts applications for more than one
position in the company). These are the formats most commonly preferred by employers, and it's easy
to save the documents and add them as attachments to your email message.
It’s the place where you highlight what you’re great at. The example below is the exact resume that I
used to land interviews and offers at Microsoft, Google, and Twitter. However, there are plenty of
rules you must follow to ensure your resume is ATS-compatible and looks professional for hiring
managers. First, save your resume file as a word document (.doc,.docx) or pdf (.pdf) file format.
Then, include your phone number, email and linkedin. The headings are a san-serif font with a ruling
line below. So, your choices are to send a cover letter attachment or to use the email message as your
cover letter. On the other hand, if you ARE trying to land a job that involves creativity, this might be
the best option of them all. It could still benefit you to add it to your resume. Browse cover letters
by job title for inspiration. ( Get more cover letter tips and advice ). This file type ensures your
resume stays intact across all devices and operating systems. However, some employers may
specifically request a different format, so always check what the job description says. It has helped
me with almost any problem I encountered during my job search. Greet the recipient by name in the
email and inform them who you are and why you're sending them your cv. Job postings may state
how the resume is to be sent and in which format. As I mentioned earlier, hiring managers scan
resumes for an average of 6 seconds. Why users choose our resume templates: Trustpilot Resume
Resources How to write a resume using a resume template. Have you ever filled out an application
online and then attached your resume separately. For a more detailed look into cover letters, check
out my guide on Writing A Cover Letter That Actually Gets You Hired. If you're sending a hard
copy, use heavy, quality paper rather than the standard printer paper. Click here to start building a
job-winning resume for free. Do you convince the hiring manager that you’re passionate about the
company you’re applying to. Source: resumegenius.com Sure, the subject line is just a tiny part of
the whole email. In the sample shown below, the resume is formatted using a font called Plantin, but
you might use any serif font. Should you pick an MS Word doc or the PDF resume format. As a
bonus, our AI will even give you suggestions on how to improve your cover letter on the go. It'll
bring you to a list of your files, screenshots, and so on. Here's an infographic illustrating the emotions
that each of these font families evoke in the reader: When it comes to the “best” font for your
resume, the safest bet is to use something simple and easy to read. Make sure you understand how to
write a resume and be sure to include a cover letter if needed. Work experience that shows your
successes Educational background A list of key skills, mixing hard and soft skills You might also
want to add extra sections like licenses certifications, foreign languages, personal interests, or
publications. If you have a LinkedIn profile, include it in your signature. Solution: Summaries are
highly effective, but they should be in bullet form and showcase your most relevant experience for
the role.
If we're not relying on design, this hook needs to come from the Summary section at the top of your
resume. Underneath your name in your cover letter header, list the following contact information:
Email address Phone number Mailing address (optional) Linkedin profile link (optional) Portfolio or
website (optional) Pronouns (optional) 2. If you don't know what consistently works, you can't lay
out a system to get there. When to use a PDF file Let's say you're creating a really cool example of
the perfect resume that you want to share with your friends who are job hunting. This allows us to
improve our Site and our services. Sign up for our Unlimited plan to get instance unlimited access to
all of our jon search tools for one low price. The strategy to getting past the software is the same in
almost every case: Your resume needs to match the job description. It would be tragic for an
employer to open a messy CV instead of your well-produced one. You may also see Sample Cover
Letter For Resumes Who Needs A Cover Letter. Thanks a lot. Right on! That’s the whole goal, glad
to hear it sparked a few ideas. The x height is the height of the letter x in relation to the upper case
letters. This heading technique is called a “hanging indent.” For the body text, first you create a new
style called ResumeBodyText. I believe that since I’m super creative, I’d be a good fit for the
company. Use words like “sincerely” or “faithfully” to add a professional touch to the email. Your
email message must include a subject line, and it should explain to the reader who you are and what
job you are applying for. That could be industry-related skills, experience, or tools. However, when
somebody opens it on another computer and resolution, it may break. In this guide, we’re going to
teach you how to write a cover letter that gets you the job you deserve. Include your full name, your
email address, and your phone number in your email signature, so the hiring manager can see, at a
glance, how to contact you. There are five main font categories in existence today: Serif, Sans Serif,
Monospace, Fantasy, and Cursive. Do you have any certifications that improve your knowledge.
Cover Letter Format Pick the right format for your situation. I hope I can help Company X make the
most out of their Facebook marketing initiatives. How to Write a Winning Cover Letter for Your
Resume Make sure the format and layout are consistent, neat, and easy to read; use the same font,
size, and color as your resume. They also also identified gaps in processes and recommended
solutions. Your Subject Line Should State Why You Are Sending The Email And Also Include The
Job Title And Your Name. The real reason it's so tough to write a resume is because most of the
advice out there hasn't been proven against the actual end goal of getting a job. And if you don’t yet
have any professional experience, check out our dedicated guide on how to make a resume with no
experience. For example, essential cookies include: cookies dropped to provide the service, maintain
your account, provide builder access, payment pages, create IDs for your documents and store your
consents. Search and apply for jobs with your resume sent directly from the builder.
Find your dream job Our customers have done more than just revamp their resumes—they've
transformed their lives. Work experience that shows your successes Educational background A list of
key skills, mixing hard and soft skills You might also want to add extra sections like licenses
certifications, foreign languages, personal interests, or publications. ResyMatch is free so you can
scan your resume and track your progress as you make your updates. Or if you fixed a bug, how did
that improve satisfaction or usability. After that, you can copy and paste it to any kind of text
processor and edit it. And if one of those people is you, then hey, go for it. Each offers a different
way of presentation to make a strong impression with the employer. If either one is weak, your entire
application is for naught. Use this template Muse A clean resume template that uses accent colors to
underline important sections. That will ensure that you’re using them to illustrate and drive value.
Austin you are just awesome I don’t read so long content but while I was in your blog, I couldn’t
stay away as each point is precise and to the point well explained. See more templates Free Google
Docs Resume Templates Elevate your job search with these free resume templates tailored for
Google Docs users. Close the email by saying that you are eager to take things forward. And if you
use Zety’s resume builder, you’ll even get ready-made content to add to your template. Will someone
micro-manage your work, or will you have autonomy on how you get things done. Supporting
Strategies Net at Work Beacon Financial Strategies CliftonLarsonAllen (CLA) If your company is
interested in partnering with NCACPA, please contact Director of Communications, Lorrie Gold.
Most Important: Follow the Directions Where can I find PDF resume templates Takeaways: Resume
in Word or PDF. Use our reliable student resume template to get hired. This is one of the most
common questions I get from people who are planning to write a resume. Adding Your Signature To
the Email It is important to include an email signature with your contact information, so it's easy for
hiring managers and recruiters to get in touch with you. Here’s what you need to take away from this
article: Sometimes an ATS scans your resume before it goes to the Recruiter, so you need to make it
easily readable by the systems. The best format for your resume at the moment is a PDF. For other
employers, you'll apply online or via a job board. That could be industry-related skills, experience, or
tools. I like how you said that when recruiters scan a resume, the first thing they look for are
mistakes. Before we get to the unconventional strategies that will help set you apart, we need to first
make sure our foundational bases are covered. Upload and Refresh Your Old Resume Got an
outdated resume. How to Write a Cover Letter Learn how to make a cover letter that gets
interviews. Cover Letter Help Boost your chances of having your resume read with our help. This
means that anyone, on any type of computer with any programs installed, will be able to open and
view that document. Skill-based resume templates —Ideal for those undergoing a career change or
with employment gaps, these templates effectively highlight your skills and abilities.