Should I submit my resume as PDF or Word?

Should I submit my resume as PDF or Word?

Follow the employer's requested format first. When both are accepted, a text-based PDF helps preserve the layout you checked, while a Word file may be appropriate when explicitly requested. The content must remain readable in whichever format you send.

What to do

• Read the job posting and upload instructions before exporting. Check the allowed extensions and file-size limit rather than assuming every portal accepts the same files.

• Open the actual exported file. Verify that headings, links, page breaks, and contact details survived the export, and inspect any fields populated by the application.

• Keep an editable source copy for later revisions. NamasteDev's Resume Reviewer accepts PDFs, so export a selectable-text PDF up to 5 MB for that specific tool.

Example

If an employer requests a DOCX file, provide that format even if you used a PDF for a separate resume review. Check both versions before sending.

File format and content quality are separate checks. A PDF containing only scanned images does not provide the same text access as an exported document.