CV format - Word vs PDF

GoneShootin

I find that many recruitment agencies and recruitment websites prefer Word format for receiving CV's.

On the employer front, is there information to suggest that they would dislike using a format other than Word? I say this because I like to use PDF's to make sure that the document will always be displayed as I intend it to be displayed.

Fight the .doc power!

Eoin

GoneShootin wrote:

I find that many recruitment agencies and recruitment websites prefer Word format for receiving CV's.

On the employer front, is there information to suggest that they would dislike using a format other than Word? I say this because I like to use PDF's to make sure that the document will always be displayed as I intend it to be displayed.

Fight the .doc power!

PDF viewers (e.g. Adobe Acrobat reader) are not always installed by default, so there is a chance that the recipient will not be able to open the file at all.
Also, it is possible that they may want to edit / copy & paste text from the document, and not all PDF files allow you to do that.

WRT to the formatting, if you use a nice clean layout, then it should display properly anyway - although it is annoying when custom words in your CV (e.g name, sports clubs, locations, company names etc) turn up as typos on someone elses computer and the whole thing has that red underlining in it.

I just wouldn't be in a rush to potentially cause annoyance when applying for a job.

Chalk

ive sent in cvs to agenices in pdf before and they didnt even know what the format was.
since then i always use word,
but have been considering html for my next one.

Zillah

PDFs are far less common than doc. It only makes sense to use doc to ensure everyone will be able to use it. Really, doc is better too. All pdf does it display the information, doc does the same and then lots more.

damnyanks

Ideally it should be RTF. Not everyone uses MS Word. But its quite ok to use the .doc format from what I've seen. Bear in mind each version of office differs a good bit (All different dev teams) and open office changes a lot of things.

Just try and keep your CV using basic enough features in whatever editor you use.

BC

Stick with word, a lot of poeple don't even know what a PDF is. Even if they do know, they may not have access rights to download the viewer so they'll never bother looking at your CV.

the_syco

Word, for a few simple reasons:

• A few agencies I've dealth with use a program which automatically copies the stuff from the CV to their database.
• As stated above, adobe is not installed anywhere by default. Word is always there.
• "displayed as I intend" most people hate the fancy crap, and want it plain text only.

GoneShootin

I wouldnt call a few tables and some use of BOLD text "fancy". I still say the PDF is the way to go, but your are all correct, doc is what I'm forced to use.

Sleepy

I've always just sent both.

leeroybrown

I always send a PDF unless otherwise requested. The original is an RTF. I prefer to send in a read only format whose appearance I have full control over.

Agencies probably receive a lot of their CV's as Word documents so it makes sense to them to standardise on that format on that. Also, I sometimes think that they like to have an editable document...

Kobie

Another reason is that most agencies cut out your phone number & email address before sending the CV to the client so that they can't contact you directly. They'll invariably stick in their logo somewhere too.

I always bring a few copies of the CV along to the interview since the ones the client have will usually be all over the place.

Alun

leeroybrown wrote:

I always send a PDF unless otherwise requested. The original is an RTF. I prefer to send in a read only format whose appearance I have full control over.

Agencies probably receive a lot of their CV's as Word documents so it makes sense to them to standardise on that format on that. Also, I sometimes think that they like to have an editable document...

These are the best reasons I know to stick with PDF. I had an argument with an agency once where they insisted on MS Word format so that they could "edit" my CV before sending it off to potential employers. When I asked them whether I would be able to check their "edited" version before sending it off, they said no. Bye, Bye agency !!!!

Anyway, I'm in the IT industry, and any IT company that can't read PDF's .......

Eoin

Alun wrote:

Anyway, I'm in the IT industry, and any IT company that can't read PDF's .......

Yeah, but the agency who are getting the CV are not in the IT industry, they are in the HR industry. Also, the HR person reading the CV may work in the IT industry, but may her/himself not be "technical". Is there also not a chance that you may be doing IT work for a non-IT company?

When applying for a job, I would hesitate to create any problems or appear to be awkward. I would prefer that the content, not the format, of my CV is what is different.

steviec

I sent mine to an agency in RTF format before, thinking "they can read that no matter what they're using!"

I got a reply back from a hr person saying they were unable to open the file.. So stick to word since then.

monkeyfudge

I'd be pretty impressed if I ever got a CV in .PDF format. It's never happened though. If it is going to be a Word type document I'd prefer an .RTF format.

I use OS X actually. It can open PDFs in it's built in Preview software without the need for Adobe Acrobat.

esperanza

I agree, send it as .rtf, and avoid tables in your CV, keep it smart and simple.

.rtf is better than .doc, I've never encountered problems opening .rtf.

The only danger is that someone can manipulate your CV if it isn't in .pdf format. But there's a way of protecting the document ... "Read Only"... in Word go to Tools, then Options, and then click on Security. Tick the box that gives you the option of opening the files as "Read Only". This should work!

leeroybrown wrote:

I always send a PDF unless otherwise requested. The original is an RTF. I prefer to send in a read only format whose appearance I have full control over.

Agencies probably receive a lot of their CV's as Word documents so it makes sense to them to standardise on that format on that. Also, I sometimes think that they like to have an editable document...

RicardoSmith

Using PDF is like insisting on using Betamax. Ity maybe be better, but only for the 1% of people using it. Use the appropriate tool for the job at hand. For CV's its RTF/DOC. Minimal formatting and no tables. Some places (usually graphics related) ask for PDF's. Thats the only time you should use PDF.

Why do you want to prevent people working on your CV? Your just making life hard for the HR people. That will do you no favours.

Talliesin

I use HTML but link to a word format copy.

yossarin

agencies always modify your CV:
they'll take off your contact details and add their logos to the start of the document. They all do this so the CV can't wander too far.

do you want them to promote you or not?