Convert your CV to PDF

Why send your CV as a PDF

A Word file can move around on someone else's computer. A missing font or a different version of Word can push a heading onto page 3 or break your columns.

A PDF can't be changed by accident and opens on phones, tablets and computers without Word. Unless a job advert asks for a Word file, PDF is the safer choice.

Checklist before converting

• Remove comments and accept or reject all tracked changes in Word.
• Use a standard font such as Calibri, Arial or Garamond.
• Keep it to two pages unless your industry expects more.
• Make sure your email address and phone number are typed as text, not inside an image.
• Save the Word file before uploading so the PDF has your latest edits.

Applicant tracking systems

Many employers run CVs through software that reads the text. A PDF made from Word keeps real, selectable text, which these systems can read. A scanned or photographed CV can't be read the same way, so always convert from the original file.

Avoid putting key information in headers, footers, text boxes or tables, because some systems skip them.

Name the file properly

Use your name and the document type, for example Jane-Smith-CV.pdf. A file called CV-final-v3.pdf is easy to lose in a recruiter's downloads folder.

Will my CV look exactly the same?

Standard fonts and layouts convert cleanly. Open the PDF and check every page before you send it.

Can I edit the PDF later?

Edit the Word version and convert it again. That is much easier than editing a PDF.