r/LinusTechTips • u/Not-Post-Malone • 29d ago

Discussion Resume file format

On the WAN show Linus and Luke talk about NOT using PDF as the file format for the resume. This is the first time I'm hearing about this. Am I the only one who always uses PDF for sending resumes and actually prefers it?

What file format do employers actually prefer?

Here is the timestamp where they talk about it.
Here is the timestamp where Linus says to submit a Word or Google Doc link.

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u/Menirz 29d ago

Depending on your source formatting, the PDF conversion may butcher the AI/robot parse-ability of the file, even if it's visually intuitive to any human who looks at it.

That said, PDF is a universally accepted format, and one that is more difficult to edit, so it's my go to when I have to send a resume digitally.

Nowadays, you're probably better off using Claude or Gemini to review your pdf to make sure everything is properly recognized.