Use the file type requested by the employer. When both PDF and DOCX are accepted, a text-based PDF can preserve presentation and DOCX can be a useful editable alternative. Neither extension alone makes a resume ATS-friendly; a scanned image inside a PDF is still an image.
Decide from the application instructions
Check the accepted formats and size limit before uploading. If a portal requires DOCX, submit DOCX even if your PDF looks better. If the recruiter asks for a PDF by email, send a clean PDF rather than a link that requires login. Keep both versions generated from the same current master.
Perform a quick extraction check
In the exported PDF, select a sentence and copy it into a text editor. Verify that words, job titles and dates remain intelligible. In Word, inspect the document without editing marks and confirm that essential details are not embedded only in shapes. This check identifies obvious issues; it does not reproduce every employer's parser.
Finish with an upload check
Use a filename such as 'Alex-Morgan-Data-Analyst-Resume.pdf'. Remove password protection unless the recipient specifically requires it. Review the portal's preview and autofilled fields before the final submission. Keep sensitive identity documents separate, and retain the submitted version so you know what the interviewer received.
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Chanuka Jeewantha
Founder-led CV, resume and LinkedIn writer focused on clear career storytelling, ATS-friendly structure and international applications.
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