Resume In Word Vs PDF: Which Format Is Best for You?

When it comes to creating a professional resume, choosing the right format is crucial. The two most
common formats are Microsoft Word (.doc or .docx) and Portable Document Format (PDF). Each
format has its own advantages and considerations, making it essential for job seekers to understand
the differences.

Microsoft Word (.doc or .docx) Resumes:

1. Editable and Customizable: Word documents allow easy editing, making it simple to tailor
your resume for different job applications.
2. ATS-Friendly: Many Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) prefer Word documents, ensuring
your resume is parsed accurately.
3. Widely Accepted: Most employers are familiar with Word documents, and it's a standard
format for sharing documents in professional settings.

PDF Resumes:

1. Preserves Formatting: PDFs maintain the original formatting, ensuring your resume looks
the same across different devices and operating systems.
2. Professional Appearance: PDFs are often perceived as more polished and professional,
presenting a clean and consistent layout.
3. Security: PDFs are less susceptible to unintentional changes, ensuring that your resume
retains its integrity when shared.

Considerations When Choosing:

1. Job Application Requirements: Some employers specify the preferred format in job listings.
Follow their instructions to make a positive impression.
2. Compatibility: Ensure the recipient can open and view the chosen format without any issues.
3. Content Security: If you're concerned about your resume being edited or modified, a PDF
may provide an added layer of security.

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BestResumeHelp.com offers expert resume writing services to help you stand out in a competitive
job market. Our professional writers understand the nuances of both Word and PDF formats,
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Word is the most compatible resume file format with the application tracking systems. So the
resumes in.doc or.docx file types could be easily screened by the ATS. When sending your resume
directly via email as it’s safer. Whatever we say in this article, there is one general exception to
consider when saving your resume. In most job advertisements the resume file type approved by the
employers lists as above and you can easily identify it by carefully reading the job description. She is
the author of all the CV templates and visual identification of the service. Both of these are very
good file formats for making resumes and are also the safest choices. This would mean that,
regrettably, your application would simply fall through the cracks and never make it to an actual
human. Enfold is a two-column resume template with a twist on our most popular template. Word
files, on the contrary, can change their formatting depending on the device and the Microsoft version
they use. See a selection of our PDF resume templates: Cascade CREATE MY RESUME NOW The
best there is. If there is someone who doesn’t have one, it is very rare to meet such people. Some
recruiters encourage candidates to submit both resumes and cover letters in the DOCX format, so
they can edit your document or apply personal feedback and comments to your application. But
before creating your resume through a notepad, be sure to read the job description carefully to get a
clear idea of the resume format required by the employer. This one-pager will help you land the
interview in a flash, thanks to the strategic placement of your resume profile and experience sections.
Plus, you’ll get ready-made content to add with one click. Key Takeaway Remember to keep these
points in mind as you plan to export your resume in PDF format: With the birth of Applicant
Tracking System software, it is now more crucial than ever to remember tiny details such as what file
format you save your resume. Reviewed Updated on August 4, 2023: How to Write a Resume for
Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS). Nanica CREATE MY RESUME NOW Not everything requires
fanfares and fireworks to attract attention. Most companies that request hard copy resumes don’t use
applicant tracking systems. The reason for this is that those companies do not get as many job
applications as other big companies. Now— Did you know that you can build a resume in our
builder and download a resume PDF without any fuss. Easy-to-use format. It offers a lot of resume
templates you can choose from. Job Search Learn how to find the right job and get it. Primo
CREATE MY RESUME NOW Can you imagine a better one? I can’t. So make sure you know what
you’re getting yourself into. If it is a small business with the owner having firsthand experience on
the selection process, then a targeted resume would work best. In addition, some information on
your resume may be intentionally or unintentionally altered or deleted by another party. Not only
does finding this information in the listing save you from having to choose between the two formats,
but you’ll also demonstrate that you’re great at following directions. The Applicant Tracking System
is the software that helps companies scan job applications and look for relevant information by
tracking keywords. It can be easily edited for hiring purposes (recruiting agency or HR manager can
polish your resume to increase your chances of being hired). Though there are advantages and
disadvantages of using both, you should generally send your resume as a PDF.
Different resume formats have different kinds of benefits and drawbacks. CV Help Improve your
CV with help from expert guides. Cover Letter Examples See perfect cover letter samples that get
jobs. They don’t need special programs to be opened and viewed, only Microsoft Word. Frequently
Asked Questions Get answers to frequently asked questions about resumes, Zety, and more. There’s
a perfect amount of whitespace for the recruiter to rest their eyes on, but at the same time, you still
have enough room for your accomplishments. Most companies that request hard copy resumes don’t
use applicant tracking systems. The reason for this is that those companies do not get as many job
applications as other big companies. This is where you can add information about your education,
work experience. There are many programs that can be used to open and view PDFs. When you send
the resume in PDF format, there never are links to external attachments. The format can change if
the file isn’t open in Microsoft Word but another program. It’s also extremely likely that they’ll be
sensitive to formatting issues (that’s how the human brain works, after all!), making PDF the ideal
format here. No matter which option you choose, your document will look professional and modern.
Cover Letter Templates Find the perfect cover letter template. Hiring managers then read those
resumes at the top of the ATS ranking to choose who they are going to interview. Attach a Word
document when a recruiter asks specifically for it. Customizing a template by yourself or having our
expert customize your CV template, you can avoid a one-size-fits-all solution and choose a template
designed for your situation. During some visits, we may use software tools to measure and collect
session information, including page response times, download errors, time spent on certain pages and
page interaction information. About About Find out more about Zety and its career experts. Most
Important: Follow the Directions Research the Company and read the job description carefully. Let’s
look at the stats for these two contenders and see how they apply to different job application
scenarios. Oh, and MS Word files are heavier than Adobe files. Although this is very rare, it happens,
especially in smaller businesses. If you are building your resume as a text file, there are some best
practices you should follow. However, that is not the only consideration since there are different
types of resume depending on how the data is presented. When listing work experience, use an
asterisk sign or hyphen mark instead of bullet points. The resume template will provide the space and
formatting necessary to impress the recruiters. Please enable JavaScript to view the comments
powered by Disqus. English Polski My Account You control your data We and our partners use
cookies to provide you with our services and, depending on your settings, gather analytics and
marketing data. The colored ribbons add a nice touch, and a skill rating scale will draw your
recruiter’s eyes to how capable you are.
You may freely give, refuse or withdraw your consent. They are Arial, Garamond, and Helvetica,
among others. If they ask for a Microsoft Word resume, send a Word resume, if they ask for a PDF
(or if they don’t specify), send a PDF resume. Therefore, you need to make sure your resume reflects
your professional persona. Plain text doesn’t display bold, italics, centering, and spacing. They retain
their format no matter where they are accessed from, including fonts, images, margins, and other
formatting settings. If there are a lot of applicants then it would work in your favor to use a
chronological resume to quickly highlight your previous jobs. In most job advertisements the resume
file type approved by the employers lists as above and you can easily identify it by carefully reading
the job description. This is where you can add information about your education, work experience.
High-quality content is what brings over 40 million readers to our site every year. In this case,
readability is crucial to give your resume the best chance of appearing in the recruiter’s search results,
which makes Word a safer bet. PDF File Format This is the most common resume file type and one
of the most safest. While this is usually up to you, you have to think about which format is better.
Frequently Asked Questions Get answers to frequently asked questions about resumes, Zety, and
more. After all, these postings often generate hundreds of applicants, and an ATS helps the recruiter
wade through unqualified applicants. Word is considered the standard format for resume
applications, as it is easy to forward or print as well. As a result, you must choose the optimum file
format in each scenario. Word files, on the contrary, can change their formatting depending on the
device and the Microsoft version they use. In these cases, follow the guidelines to the letter. Saving
your document as a PDF ensures that the formatting will not get messed up when a user opens it.
Most Important: Follow the Directions Where can I find PDF resume templates Takeaways: Resume
in Word or PDF. Not only does finding this information in the listing save you from having to
choose between the two formats, but you’ll also demonstrate that you’re great at following
directions. Because we all know that there are words, such as names and the like, that Word doesn’t
recognize and thinks they are wrong. Do you need information on how to format your resume to
highlight your skills and achievements. Both formats have advantages and disadvantages but it seems
that PDF is better than Word as it retains the original format, looks better, and it’s authentic (no
altered content). How to Write a Cover Letter Learn how to make a cover letter that gets interviews.
And you need nothing more to represent your growth and passion. Settings Accept Cookie settings
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See more resume examples here. Pro Tip: Some companies can receive up to 250 resumes on average
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