Send a PDF unless the job post or recruiter asks for Word. A PDF looks the same on every screen, and modern applicant tracking systems read text-based PDFs well.
When to send PDF
- The post does not say, which is most of the time.
- You email a hiring manager directly.
- Your layout matters, such as for design or writing roles.
When to send Word (DOCX)
- The application form or post asks for .doc or .docx.
- A recruitment agency asks for it. Agencies often reformat CVs onto their own letterhead.
- You apply through an older system that warns it cannot read PDFs.
The PDF must be text-based
A PDF exported from Word, Google Docs or a resume builder contains real text. A PDF made by scanning paper or saving a screenshot contains a picture, and nothing in it can be read. Test yours: open it and select one line. Then copy the whole page into a plain text editor and check the order.
Name the file
First-Last-Role.pdf, such as Ana-Lopez-Product-Manager.pdf. Not resume_final_v3.pdf. The recruiter saves dozens of files into one folder.
Size
Keep it under 1 MB. Some upload forms cap at 2 MB, and large files usually mean embedded images.
Dossier Resume exports PDF only for now. Each template's PDF is read back by a parser in our tests, with results on the template pages. If an employer asks for Word, copy the text into a one-column Word document; the content carries over cleanly.
Questions people ask
- Is PDF or Word better for ATS?
- Both work with most modern systems if the PDF is text-based. Send Word only when the employer asks for it.
- Can ATS read PDF resumes?
- Most current systems read text-based PDFs. Scanned or image PDFs cannot be read.
- Should I send my resume as a Google Docs link?
- No. Download it as a PDF and attach the file. Links can break, ask for access, or be blocked by company email filters.