Upload CV as a pdf or Word doc?

[Undirection]

I was just speaking to a friend, also on the job front, who was told that the systems which locate CVs on the major websites (essentially like Google for CVs) read Word documents better than they read pdfs. Does anyone know if this true. I suspect not but I don't know for sure...

[marshalla]

If the PDF is produced properly (i.e. printed/saved to PDF rather than through a scanner which converts it into JPGs embedded in PDF), there shouldn't be any difference.

[Guvernator]

I was recently advised to change my CV to pdf as it's easier to print out as the formatting isn't changed depending on what printer you use as can sometimes happen with Word and it also means unscrupulous recruitment agents can't edit\mess around with it too easily (apparently happens quite a bit).

However no sooner had I done this then I got a flood of emails from said agents asking if I could provide them with a copy in Word format instead as "their system doesn't like pdf", not sure why this would.

[marshalla]

Guvernator said:

However no sooner had I done this then I got a flood of emails from said agents asking if I could provide them with a copy in Word format instead as "their system doesn't like pdf", not sure why this would.

Harder for them to remove identifiers (so they can prevent the clients contacting you directly).

[wombleh]

PDF is far better for consistent rendering but I'd never send CV in anything other than Word format as agents do edit them. CVs always arrive at clients with agency headings on, sometimes contact details removed and sometimes even embelished a little (e.g. "studying for CCIE" becomes just "CCIE") depending on scruples of those involved.

[rog007]

There's no standard so I'd advise to manage this on a case by case basis. Both formats have their advantages, but personally I'd lean towards PDF unless there was a clear reason why not to. The point about standardising format is very important as I see many CVs not coming out on the screen or printer as the author had intended.

[Jakg]

I go for PDF because it ensures my CV doesn't get butchered and look rubbish at the other end.

Also bear in mind not all CVs are written in Word - mines in LaTeX and looks much better for it.

[Whitean3]

Jakg said:

I go for PDF because it ensures my CV doesn't get butchered and look rubbish at the other end.

Also bear in mind not all CVs are written in Word - mines in LaTeX and looks much better for it.

I'd also go with PDF- it can't be manipulated anywhere like as easily, will print out as intended etc. And my CV is not done in MS Word either- I use Powerpoint, which makes things really easy to mess around with layouts, styles etc.

[ColinM50]

Whitean3 said:

Jakg said:

I go for PDF because it ensures my CV doesn't get butchered and look rubbish at the other end.

Also bear in mind not all CVs are written in Word - mines in LaTeX and looks much better for it.

I'd also go with PDF- it can't be manipulated anywhere like as easily, will print out as intended etc. And my CV is not done in MS Word either- I use Powerpoint, which makes things really easy to mess around with layouts, styles etc.

You seem to think that you know better than the agency how to present a CV. Most recruiters have trained to do their job properly and will present a CV to a client in an agreed format. For example I had several clients who wanted experience listed latest first and others who wanted it the other way round, i.e. from school to now. Some clients want to know what O and A levels and subjects studied at higher level, others just want the highest qual. So we need CV's in a format we can adapt to our client's needs.

If I got a pdf CV I'd go back to the candidate, ask for a Word version and wait a week then dump the candidate's details in the bin. There's too much to do to mess around with candidates that know best.

And you'd be stunned at the amount of poor spelling and grammar on CV's which needs cleaning up before presentation. We want to do the best job we can for you, the candidate. We don't get paid for effort, only for finding the right candidate and for them to accept a job offer, so it's in our interest to make the process as straightforward and painless as possible and that all starts with your CV in a format we can work productively with

[marshalla]

ColinM50 said:

If I got a pdf CV I'd go back to the candidate, ask for a Word version and wait a week then dump the candidate's details in the bin. There's too much to do to mess around with candidates that know best.

You'd rather sacrifice a candidate, and possibly a client, than spend a bit of time learning how to copy & paste text from a PDF ? Bizarre.

[anonymous-user]

I would never send a CV in word format. If that cost me a job interview then so be it.

Someone above mentioned agents editing CVs. I would also NEVER let that happen. n

PDF all the way. Any arguments about PDF not working for them are spurious and not to be trusted IMO.

[wombleh]

marshalla said:

ColinM50 said:

If I got a pdf CV I'd go back to the candidate, ask for a Word version and wait a week then dump the candidate's details in the bin. There's too much to do to mess around with candidates that know best.

You'd rather sacrifice a candidate, and possibly a client, than spend a bit of time learning how to copy & paste text from a PDF ? Bizarre.

That is standard practice in my industry (IT), I'm not an agent but dealt with plenty over the years.

Interesting thread, why are people concerned about their CVs being edited?