Resume as PDF or Word: which is right?

A PDF usually keeps type, spacing, and page breaks stable across different devices. That helps when the finished document should be readable exactly as you checked it. Make sure text is selectable and links work; a pure image of the resume can be impractical.

Use a clear name such as Firstname_Lastname_Resume.pdf. Open the file after export, not only the preview in the editing program.

Some companies or staffing firms require an editable document. Then a file in DOCX format is the right fit. Before you send it, check whether fonts, tables, and breaks stay stable on other devices. Do not use unusual layout tricks that can shift when the file is opened.

If a portal accepts certain file types, stick to that. Do not upload an extra format as well when only one file is required.

Portals can take content from uploaded files. After that, check every transferred field: job title, dates, employer, and contact details. No file format and no template guarantee perfect processing in every system. The entries in the form and the uploaded document have to match in the end.

1. Open the file outside the editor.
2. Check first and last page, breaks, and special characters.
3. Select and copy text as a test.
4. Check links and file names.
5. After upload, check the preview or the transferred fields.