Word or PDF for resume attachment

[wuneyej]

When sending a resume by email attachment in response to a job posting, is it more appropriate to send the resume in Word or PDF format? I'm getting inconsistent advice from my peers.

Thanks,
JP

 

[trollacious]

I use RTF format. That avoids any problems or questions due filtering for Word viruses, and it's a lot smaller than a PDF. It's also viewable with any word processor, including the minimal Wordpad that comes with Windows. I remember one place I submitted my resume to several times in Word's DOC format, at their request, and each time it got filtered out (even though there was no virus in it) because their email was set to delete all .doc file attachments. It went through fine as an RTF.

Lee

 

[Dollie]

Having received thousands of resumes in e-mail, I would recommend using PDF as a universal format. Some companies do not accept Word attachments because of potential macro viruses, even though the .doc format is near universal. On one hand, RTF files can be large and bulky but they can also be opened even if all the recipient has is WordPad. On the other hand, PDF files can become large and cumbersome if you include a lot of graphics, fonts or colors. If you keep your resume simple, the resulting PDF file shouldn't exceed 100kb for a 3 page resume.

 

[wuneyej]

Lee & Dollie,
Thanks for the replies. I think I'll go the PDF route, since the file is only 45KB in that format. Thanks nonetheless for the RTF info, good to know.

JP

 

[kHz]

Most companies will indicate which format they prefer. I have mine in Word (.doc) and am going to also do it in .pdf and html.

This will give them their choice and get around the filtering mentioned above.

 

[alexhu]

The last company I sent a CV to preferred paper format

Alex

 

[LNBruno]

It's always a good practice to ASK what format the recipient wants. Even if they say "Word" you need to confirm which version. Besides, each resume you send out should be tailored to each specific company's requirements.

kHz has a good point - it's not a bad idea to have your resume "template" in several different formats. Word (whatever version you have or save as an version or two back - backward compatibility works), PDF, HTML, RTF...and don't forget plain TXT for pasting into websites.

< M!ke >

 

[chiph]

If the company is using an applicant tracking system, they will prefer plain text. This is because the ATS will be able to index a text resume for later searching. There are ATS systems which can read Word files, but you have no way of telling.

If you have a lot of fancy formatting, go ahead and send a .pdf or .doc file as an attachment, but your primary focus should be on getting it looking good in plain old text.

Chip H.


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[wuneyej]

Good advice. Thanks everyone.

JP

 

[willir]

Glad you got your answer. From my persepctive, use PDF because...
- small size
- can not be accidentally edited
- PDF is very portable and an accepted standard in just about any business
- not prone to viruses
- should print consistently as designed. Word processing documents will reformat to accomodate the printer. So your page 2 on your inkjet printer can be page 3 on the corporate laser printer.