ResumeOptimizerPro Editorial Team
Updated May 23, 2024
Your resume is your ticket to the interview room. Crafting a standout resume is crucial, but equally important is the format you choose to present it in. While many candidates opt for PDF format, believing it offers a polished appearance, evidence shows that PDFs may not be the best choice after all. In fact, PDF resumes can pose significant challenges, especially when it comes to parsing by recruiting software. This blog post explores why PDF is not the ideal format for electronic resumes and why candidates should consider submitting their resumes in MS Word format instead.
PDF (Portable Document Format) is known for its ability to preserve the visual integrity of documents across various devices and platforms. It's often used for sharing documents that need to look the same regardless of where they are viewed. This characteristic has led many job seekers to believe that PDFs are the ideal format for their resumes. After all, your resume should look perfect, right?
The problem with PDF resumes lies in how they are processed by recruiting software, commonly known as Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS). ATSs are used by employers to scan and evaluate resumes quickly. When it comes to parsing the content of a resume, PDFs can be a headache for several reasons:
In contrast, MS Word format (typically .doc or .docx) offers several advantages when it comes to electronic resumes:
You can use ResumeOptimizerPro to convert your PDF profile into and ATS-friendly resume. Simply drag-and-drop your PDF into our dashboard and our service will transform it for you in a manner of seconds. Your recruiter will also thank you for this!
While PDFs may be suitable for many document-sharing scenarios, they are not the best choice for electronic resumes, especially when ATS parsing is involved. To increase your chances of getting noticed by employers and passing through the initial screening process, consider submitting your resume in MS Word format. By making this simple change, you can ensure that your qualifications are accurately captured, keyword matching is effective, and your application stands a better chance of reaching human eyes. Remember, in the world of job applications, clarity and compatibility matter, and MS Word offers both in abundance.