Word vs Pdf Format CVs

Aongus Von Heisenberg

Hi all,

I have noticed that some job applications specify that CVs should be in Word format only.

Meanwhile in discussions on poor practices by recruiters, such as advertising non-existent roles to harvest CVs, some people on this forum have referred to only sending CVs in Pdf format.

What is the rationale for some recruiters favouring Word and some applicants favouring Pdf?
If I am applying for roles myself what do people recommend?

Monife

No idea on the rationale but I always thought PDF was more suitable in this day and age and when my husband sent PDF CVs to recruiters, they asked him to send in Word instead...

BailMeOut

They want to import the content of your CV into some system which is easier from word than from PDF.

Speedwell

If it's to a recruiter rather than to the employer, then the recruiter wants to easily edit your CV (to take out personal identifying information, or to correct simple errors like spelling or punctuation).

Aongus Von Heisenberg

Thanks for the replies.

So should Pdf be favoured by the applicant or is Word more appropriate for applications to Recruiters?

Speedwell

Aongus Von Heisenberg wrote: »

Thanks for the replies.

So should Pdf be favoured by the applicant or is Word more appropriate for applications to Recruiters?

Don't second-guess the ad if it specifies a specific format. With so many applicants, they won't waste time on someone who doesn't follow directions.

Tiddlypeeps

It totally depends on who you are sending the CV too. I had one case where an employer ask for a CV in word format because their email system literally won't accept PDF's, so it's not always just the recruiters.

I personally default to PDF format because it will maintain the format I intended regardless of what software is used to view it, but I keep a word doc on hand for when it's requested.

Aongus Von Heisenberg

Grand so, PDF as default, Word whenever specified or requested.

Slydice

My guess is that they want it in word cos it's easier to copy and paste from.

I wouldn't want to make it harder on someone who has input into me getting a job.

Stheno

Slydice wrote: »

My guess is that they want it in word cos it's easier to copy and paste from.

I wouldn't want to make it harder on someone who has input into me getting a job.

Yeah a lot of companies now have specific software they use to manage applications, so they import the likes of word documents into them, or copy and paste.

Pdf just makes that harder.