October 27, 2010

Should I send my resume as a PDF or Word document?

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By Kristen Fife
NWjobs

Q: How do employers/recruiters feel about PDF resumes versus Word?
-EH, Spokane

Kristen says: In the last two or three years, the databases that recruiters use to store and search resumes have improved greatly. In the past, Word was preferred because the font characters on the document scanned exactly as they looked. PDF documents do not translate the same way; the technology saw “pictures” instead of actual letters and could not translate them properly. Nowadays, most systems have evolved so that the actual document you upload is what recruiters see on a computer screen, so either format is acceptable.

However, if you are working with employment agencies, they definitely prefer Word. Employment agencies send resumes to their clients using their own templates. These templates allow them to highlight the specific skills for each position and to make sure your personal information isn’t shared with clients. It is much easier for the agency to transfer your resume information to their company templates if you use Word instead of an Adobe PDF.

One note of caution: Employment agencies are paid only if someone is hired. Once they have your information in their templates, they will want to send your professional information to many potential employers (either for full-time or contract work). They may assume that if you are OK with them submitting you to one position, you are open to them submitting you to any opening. I suggest you request that your agencies give you written assurance that they will not submit you to any positions unless you give them specific prior approval.

One last thought: Microsoft is one of the larger private employers in this area, and most businesses in Seattle use Microsoft Office as a software standard.

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Recruiter's Inbox, resumes, technology

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