Check the application instructions first
Look at the accepted extensions beside the upload field. Use PDF when requested or accepted; submit DOCX when the employer specifically asks for it. A PDF is not a guarantee that a recruitment system will parse your resume correctly.
For a French Mon Master application, the 2026 main-application guide sets a 2 MB maximum for the general CV (page 17). Do not apply that limit to every supporting document: read the current field and programme instructions. This is a 2026 reference, not confirmation that applications are open or that the same rule will apply in 2027.
Finish the editable resume before exporting
Keep your original DOCX. In a separate final copy, check the email address, phone number, dates and job title. Resolve comments and tracked changes deliberately; simply hiding their display does not mean the underlying edits have been resolved.
Use the page count required by the application. If the final line moves to an extra page, fix spacing or the page break in Word. Do not remove experience simply to make the exported file look smaller.
Export a PDF copy
Open PDFMinto Word to PDF and choose the final DOCX (up to 4 MB). Choosing a file does not upload it. Click Convert to upload it for server processing, then check the preview and download the PDF. Output is limited to 4 MB and 200 pages. Old DOC files must first be saved as DOCX.
You can also export in desktop Word via File → Save As → PDF, or in LibreOffice Writer via File → Export As → Export as PDF. Keep the original and export all required pages. Changing the extension does not convert a document.
Check what the recruiter will receive
Open the saved PDF in a separate viewer. Compare its first and last lines with the DOCX, count the pages and inspect bullets, columns and unusual characters. Select and copy your name and one experience paragraph into a plain text editor; check that the order is sensible. This is a useful text check, not an ATS certification.
Test the email and portfolio links you expect to be clickable. At phone width, zoom in and confirm that contact details are readable. If text has moved or a character is missing, return to the original document and resolve the font or layout issue, then export again.
Upload the checked copy, and compress only if needed
Compare the PDF size with the exact field limit. If it fits, upload that version directly. If it does not, follow the size-limit guide below; a short, mostly text resume may have little room for compression. For the Mon Master 2026 CV field specifically, if your ordinary PDF exceeds 2 MB, try a 1.9 MB custom compression target, then check the downloaded byte size and every page. This is a suggested margin, not an official target or a guarantee. Compression uses server processing with temporary private Blob storage; encrypted, digitally signed or interactive-form PDFs are unsupported. Keep originals and do not remove required content to force a smaller file.
After uploading, open the portal’s preview or download the attachment if offered. Check that it is the final resume rather than a cover letter or older draft. Keep the submission confirmation.
Common questions
Should I combine my cover letter and resume? Only if the application asks for a single file. Separate upload fields usually mean you should keep separate documents.
Can PDFMinto convert my Word file? Yes, ordinary DOCX files up to 4 MB are supported. Conversion takes place on the server; temporary working files are removed after the task. Check fonts and page breaks before using the result.