What file format should you use for your resume? According to employer surveys, 99% of employers want either a .doc or .pdf file of your resume.
The file format may vary based on the company's applicant tracking system and how you are submitting your resume - posting online or emailing. If you are posting your resume online, there will instructions on which file format to use and how to upload your resume.
When you are sending your resume as attachment, follow the employer's instructions on how to submit your cover letter and resume. The employer may want your resume attached to the email message and sent in specific format, most employers want a Microsoft Word (.doc) file or a PDF (.pdf) file.
It's important to follow the instructions in the job posting. Don't send a different file format or your resume may not be viewable and/or may not even be reviewed.
Be careful about saving your resume as a .docx file, which is the default in the latest versions of Microsoft Word. Not all applicant tracking systems can read them and your resume may be garbled. Instead, save your resume as a .doc file, using your name as the file name.
To save your resume as a Word (.doc) document click on File, Save As, and type in the file name you are giving your resume i.e. JaneDoeResume.doc. Be sure to use your name as the file name, not just resume. Here's more on how to name your resume.
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