PDF vs. Word: Which Format is Best for Resumes?

The File Format Dilemma

You have polished your skills, perfected your summary, and proofread every line. But before you hit "Send," you face one final question: PDF or Word? The answer isn't always simple, but for 90% of job applications, one format wins.

Why PDF is Generally Beeter

• Locked Formatting: Your fonts, margins, and bullet points will look exactly the same on a recruiter's iPhone as they do on your laptop. Word docs can shift dangerously between versions.
• Virus Safety: PDFs are generally perceived as safer, whereas Word macros can carry risks, making some corporate firewalls block .docx files.
• Professionalism: A PDF looks like a finished product, not a draft.

When to Use Word (.docx)

Some older Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) struggle to parse text from PDFs, especially if they have fancy columns or graphics. If a job posting explicitly asks for a Word document, use good old .docx.

Best of Both Worlds

Create your master resume in Word for easy editing. Then, use our Word to PDF Converter to generate a fresh, clean PDF for every application. Keep the Word file for you, send the PDF to them.