PDF/HTML resumes?

May 29, 2009 11:36 AM

How OK are PDF resumes in the tech sector?

About to start applying for new jobs. I'm a Mac guy, no Windows, no MS Word, don't want any of it. Was thinking of putting together the resume in Pages (to make it prettier than Google Docs is capable of) and then bouncing that out in PDF and providing a URL to a HTML version as well as my LinkedIn profile. How do you think this will go over w/ hiring managers? I'll be mostly looking for a web dev lead position in a startup to mid-sized company.

posted by anonymous to work & money (30 comments total)

In the past I have never found much resistance to PDF resumes. If a Word resume is requested, I provide it by exporting the Pages document in Word format, but otherwise I default to PDF for the same reason as you.
posted by mkb at 11:40 AM on May 29

PDF/html is the way to go. Don't send anyone word documents unless you need them to edit it for you.

PDF is really the most professional way, especially since the formatting is so well preserved across platforms.
posted by special-k at 11:44 AM on May 29

PDF is well-received across the business world whether or not you're talking about resumes. We send out PDF versions of all our transaction documents (invoices, sales orders, etc.) and have no complaints.
posted by odinsdream at 11:49 AM on May 29

Agreed. PDF is ideal for resumes. Big companies may sometimes request plain text so they can index it, but no startup or mid-sized company will.
posted by doteatop at 11:51 AM on May 29

No one has ever batted an eye when I sent them PDF résumés. And it's never gotten in the way of an interview/offer.
posted by icebourg at 11:56 AM on May 29

Yup, I've always used PDF or paper. It would be a pain if I had to use Word, actually, as my résumé is done in OpenOffice. I'm an electrical engineer, if it matters. Web development may be a little different.

Obviously, a few companies will request a specific format, in which case you should try to honor it. But most places are more than happy with PDF. And it makes sure your formatting isn't destroyed by version issues, botched font embedding, cross-platform variations, etc.
posted by musicinmybrain at 12:03 PM on May 29

PDF and Word 97 are the two formats of choice, with Word 97 having the edge. TBH I'd be a little suprised if you don;t have anything that will produce Word 97.
posted by Artw at 12:06 PM on May 29

Don't send HTML - people will think you are a freak.
posted by Artw at 12:07 PM on May 29 [1 favorite]

...though linking to it is of course OK.

Also be aware that if you are going through agencies they'll often cut and paste material out of your resume and leave any fancy formating behind.
posted by Artw at 12:09 PM on May 29

I get a fair amount of resumes.

I hate hate hate Word resumes. They never format quite right machine to machine, OS to OS, version to version.
Plus, then I worry about viruses.

I love getting PDF resumes. Please send PDF resumes.
posted by j at 12:13 PM on May 29

given your target, PDF and a link to your linkedin profile is absolutely ok. I wouldn't bother with HTML.
posted by _dario at 12:15 PM on May 29

PDF should be the standard, but I've run into a lot of recruiters will insist on doc files anyway. And if you're sending it directly to a company in response to a job listing that explicitly asks for a Word document, it's best to follow that instruction to the letter. You can always produce them with OpenOffice.
posted by ignignokt at 12:17 PM on May 29

will = that
posted by ignignokt at 12:18 PM on May 29

PDF is pretty ubiquitous these days, especially in tech/IT/development circles. It's what I've always used, and I've never had a problem. If you won't do Word, the next best thing would be to link to an HTML page.
posted by joshrholloway at 12:26 PM on May 29

You can save the Pages file as a doc and alter that version (if the formattting gets too lost) to be palatable for places that insist on doc files.
posted by birdherder at 12:27 PM on May 29

PDF should be fine. Have a plaintext, totally unformatted version in case you have to apply through some company's annoying HR website, just in case.
posted by PhoBWanKenobi at 12:35 PM on May 29

Agreed... PDF
posted by LakesideOrion at 12:44 PM on May 29

If you run into someone who really wants word, and you have nothing that will save as Word 97, consider RTF.
posted by Artw at 12:46 PM on May 29

PDF works for me. One bit of advice is to check your PDF on a Windows machine to make sure you don't have any font issues.
posted by yerfatma at 1:04 PM on May 29

One more vote for PDF. One more vote against HTML. And if I had my druthers, a million votes against Word.
posted by Civil_Disobedient at 1:17 PM on May 29

In the tech world, consider very carefully whether you would want to work for a company that insists for resumes in Word format. You might not.
posted by gmarceau at 1:26 PM on May 29

PDF is always good. Also, put it up on your website so google et al can find it.
posted by jenkinsEar at 1:36 PM on May 29

Recruiters sometimes require word documents, because they like to edit the contact information out, so that the company can't go around behind their back and hire you without paying the recruiter any money.

If you're applying directly to a company, though, PDFs are great.

When last job-hunting, I maintained PDF, Word, and plain-text versions of my resume. If someone specifically requested one format, I would deliver in that format (don't fail to follow instructions for the very first interaction you have with them). Otherwise I would send the PDF.
posted by aubilenon at 1:48 PM on May 29

PDF, and in your specific instance I'd make a résumé-like sub-site as well. A sort of meta-portfolio if you will. Reference your site with an embeded link in your PDF version. Best of both worlds if done properly...
posted by Fezboy! at 2:51 PM on May 29

I send PDFs, laid out in LaTeX.

I'm a unix guy.
posted by Netzapper at 3:33 PM on May 29

If you are using Pages to export to Doc, be sure to preview in Word before sending it out.
posted by ejoey at 3:41 PM on May 29

This is probably not relevant to your particular job search/industry, but as a side note: I have found many journalists hate PDFs. Hate hate hate. I attended a panel last year where this was hammered home repeatedly by multiple writers, with claims that PDFs "automatically open up Acrobat Reader which crashes your computer". Eh.

(Not that this stopped me from using PDF resumes when applying for marketing jobs.)
posted by soleiluna at 5:02 PM on May 29

PDF? Bring it on. Doubly so since I helped write Acrobat 1.0. Triply so if you wrote the tools that generated it, because I will take it apart to inspect your handiwork.
posted by plinth at 5:21 PM on May 29 [1 favorite]

pdf Please!
I've gotten so irked with willy-nilly .docs that I've set it to open them in TextEdit by default.

What area of tech you're in? HTML could be good or bad, depending on what job you're looking for and how valid, elegant and dazzling your xhtml/css skills are. Then again, I'm the one who asks, "If you were a doctype, which would you be, and why?"

My favorite response so far has been "4.04." If you laughed, you just go to the next round--unlike the applicant who said it!
posted by mimi at 6:16 PM on May 29

Dammit, beaten by netzapper. My LaTeX has gotten comments, too - not that it's anything special, just "oh, you know LaTeX".
posted by spaceman_spiff at 6:23 PM on May 29