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Get Your Resume Analysis Thanks for subscribing! Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.PDF resumes have long been the standard. But recently, Word resumes have gained more popularity, sparking plenty of passionate debates and strong opinions. It begs the question: Should you submit your resume as a PDF or Word document?
The stakes feel high. Get your resume format wrong and you risk jumbled formatting or, even worse, a document that’s completely inaccessible and illegible.
That’s why there’s no shortage of hot takes on resume format. However, there are also plenty of myths about resume file formats that are due for some busting (yes, an applicant tracking system can scan a PDF format). Case in point, this recent DM from a misinformed job seeker to a Teal employee:
If you're struggling to know whether to send your resume as a PDF or Word doc, this guide breaks down what to consider when choosing between the two options.
Not sure which format to choose? Use Teal to make a free resume that's ATS-friendly and easily export it today.
It’s easier to make a more informed choice about your resume file format if you understand a little about each of the most common file types: PDF documents and Word documents.
PDF is an abbreviation that stands for portable document format. This format was developed by Adobe to ensure documents are displayed consistently across a variety of platforms and devices.
That’s one of the biggest benefits of PDFs: they preserve the layout and formatting of a document, regardless of the different devices, software, or operating systems used to view them. While it’s possible to create an editable PDF file, most PDF documents are read-only—meaning the content is locked so people can view the document but not edit it directly.
A Microsoft Word document (colloquially referred to as a “Word doc”) is a file type created using Microsoft Word. It’s saved as either a .doc or .docx file and it’s not as static as a PDF. Formatting of Word documents can vary depending on the device or version of the software the recipient is using, causing the text and images to move around the page.
Unlike PDF format, Word documents are typically meant to be shared and edited. That means they’re not read-only by default and viewers can edit the document directly. However, converting files within Microsoft Word is simple, so you can easily export your resume created in Word as a PDF.
Word documents and PDF files share similarities, but there are also distinct differences in terms of their edibility and security. Here’s a quick comparison of the two:
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Pros and cons of using PDF for resumes
Now for the big question: What’s the best file format for your resume?
The short answer is that, in most cases, you should default to a PDF version of your resume. However, it’s also worth checking the job description for any specific instructions about what file type you should choose before you upload your resume. You should be reviewing the job posting carefully anyway as you tailor your resume.
If you don’t see anything mentioned, here’s a breakdown of the pros and cons of each type to help you make an informed decision.
When thinking about file types, PDFs are the best resume format for a few reasons:
That said, there are a few drawbacks to sending a PDF version of your resume:
Pro Tip: To get around the editing drawbacks of PDF, you can import your PDF resume into Teal’s Resume Builder, edit it there, and save different versions.
While a PDF format usually reigns supreme in this resume debate, it’s smart to do your due diligence and also consider the perks and pitfalls of saving your resume in a Word format.
Pro Tip: Teal’s Resume Builder can help you easily manage all of the different versions of your resume and then export a PDF with the click of a button.
If you have your sights set on using Word, check out these Microsoft Word templates to navigate around the limitations and pull together a polished and professional document.
You might’ve heard about applicant tracking systems (ATS) before. They’re usually positioned as some sort of mysterious and ominous threat to your success while job searching. But dig a little deeper and you’ll realize that this tool isn’t all that sinister.
An ATS is a type of software hiring teams use to quickly evaluate job applicants. From reporting to sourcing, there’s a lot it can do. However, when job seekers talk about it, they’re usually referring to its resume parsing ability.
Resume parsing is how resumes are standardized and sections are separated by an ATS to evaluate candidates. When a resume is submitted, the ATS scans through the document to pull out relevant information the employer is looking for and create a profile for each applicant. Essentially, think of this software as the first filter—it checks each resume and application and selects the ones that meet the criteria specified by the employer.
With an ATS, actual human recruiters end up with a smaller pile to look through, which is why this software has become increasingly popular. An impressive 70% of large companies use an ATS and 94% of recruiters agree that it’s had a positive impact on hiring processes.
As an applicant, you want to make it past the ATS and get in front of a real person. That’s why creating an ATS-friendly resume is so important. So, what’s better for most application tracking systems? A PDF or Word resume?
According to longtime recruiter and current Director of Recruiting at Teal, Mike Peditto says either format can work, but neither is outright wrong (unless the job application specifies a file type):
"You can find people who argue both sides of this as the only correct side. It doesn’t matter in almost any system, if it does they will tell you to submit a certain type. That said, PDF is generally safer because formatting won’t get messed up but sometimes Word looks different in different versions.”
In the vast majority of cases, either one will work. While some people claim that PDFs are unreadable by this software, that’s no longer the case—most modern tools have no trouble reading either file type. For that reason, defaulting to a PDF is your best bet to appeal to ATS while also reaping the other benefits of this format.
At the end of the day, choosing a certain file type shouldn’t be what makes or breaks your job search. As long as it’s legible and your formatting doesn’t become a major mess, your file format won’t be the determining factor in whether your resume lands you in the recycling bin or an interview seat.
While it’s not the most important factor in your job search, it’s still worth careful consideration. If you’re struggling to make your choice, here are a few other aspects to think through so you can send your resume with confidence:
Does the job post include directions for submitting your resume?
Do you need someone else to be able to edit your resume?
Do you need the formatting to stay consistent?
Do you need your document to be ATS-friendly?
If you’re still stressing over resume formats, Teal’s Resume Builder can ease your worries with options to easily convert your Word resume, PDF resume, or even LinkedIn profile.
See how well your resume matches a job description by attaching a saved job and then making strategic changes to boost your chances of getting past ATS. Then analyze your resume to find areas you can improve and refer to the expert guidance and suggestions to make your document even stronger.
When you’re ready, you can export a PDF of your resume with a click of a button. If you need to revisit a past resume, it’s easy to find with all versions of your resume saved directly in the platform and linked to the related job posting.
Tackle your job search with confidence using a resume builder that makes resume editing and exporting easy. Get started with Teal for free today.
