How to Save Your CV or Resume as a PDF (and Get It Right)

By the PDFToolkitX team · Published October 25, 2026 · 6 min read

A CV sent as a PDF looks the same on every computer and phone, which is exactly what you want when a recruiter opens it. But a careless export can still create problems: a scanned-looking file, a blank second page, or a name like "Document1.pdf". Here is how to do it properly.

Export from the program you wrote it in

Microsoft Word: File → Save As (or Save a Copy), then choose PDF as the file type. On Mac, File → Save As and choose PDF in the file format menu.
Google Docs: File → Download → PDF Document (.pdf).
LibreOffice Writer: File → Export as PDF.
Pages (Mac): File → Export To → PDF.
Online CV builders and design tools: use their download option and choose the standard PDF format.

Exporting keeps your text as real text. Avoid printing your CV and scanning it, or taking a screenshot: that turns it into an image that software cannot read.

Make it readable by applicant tracking systems

Many employers use software to read and sort CVs. To help it:

Use a simple layout with clear headings such as "Experience" and "Education".
Keep important text out of images, text boxes and complex graphics.
Use common fonts.
Check that you can select and copy the text in the PDF. If you can, software can usually read it. You can test with PDF to Text: if your CV comes out as readable text, you are in good shape.

Name the file professionally

Recruiters download dozens of CVs. Make yours easy to find: Firstname-Lastname-CV.pdf, or add the role, such as Sara-Alami-CV-Frontend-Developer.pdf. Avoid "CV final v3.pdf".

Check before sending

Page count: a stray empty paragraph can create a blank last page. Remove it in the original document, or remove the page with Split PDF.
Links: click your email, LinkedIn and portfolio links in the PDF to confirm they work.
Fonts and layout: open the PDF on your phone too, since many recruiters read on mobile.
File size: a text CV should be well under 1 MB. A large photo or graphics can make it heavier than necessary.

CV and cover letter in one file?

Follow the instructions in the job posting. If it asks for a single document, combine your cover letter and CV with Merge PDF, with the cover letter first. If there are separate upload fields, use them.

When to send Word instead

Some recruiters and agencies ask for a Word file so they can adapt the format. If the posting asks for .docx, send that. Otherwise, PDF is the safest default. Our article PDF or Word? covers this decision.

Summary

Export your CV directly to PDF, keep the layout simple, name the file clearly and check pages and links before sending. A clean PDF makes a good first impression before anyone reads a word.