Your CV as a PDF: 5 Mistakes That Get It Skipped

You write a great CV, hit send, and hear nothing. Often the problem isn't what's in it, it's the file. Recruiters and applicant tracking systems (ATS) sort hundreds of applications, and a badly prepared PDF is the first to go.

1. Send a PDF, not a Word file

A DOCX looks different on every computer: fonts shift and two pages turn into three. A PDF keeps the layout exactly as you see it. In Word, go to File → Save As → PDF and the fonts get embedded automatically.

2. Text, not a scan

A photographed or scanned CV is just an image to an ATS. It can't even read your name. Always export from your editor. If all you have is a scan (a certificate, say), run it through OCR so the text becomes searchable.

3. Keep it under 2 MB

Job portals often cap uploads at 2–5 MB, and big attachments land in spam. The usual culprit is a full-resolution headshot. Shrink the photo or compress the whole PDF.

4. A file name that makes sense

Not `CV_final2.pdf` but `Jane-Smith-CV-2026.pdf`. The recruiter saves it and can still find it a month later.

5. One file instead of five

Merge your CV, cover letter and certificates into a single PDF, in that order. Fewer clicks means a better chance someone actually sees your certificates.

Done in a few minutes

Word to PDF, compression, OCR and merging all work free in your browser at FileTools. No sign-up, nothing to install. Good luck with the interview!