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 concrete example, Oxford’s recruitment instructions request PDF uploads with a name and document description in the filename. This is one employer’s rule, not a universal naming requirement.
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
In desktop Word, use File → Save As and choose PDF. In LibreOffice Writer, use File → Export As → Export as PDF. Menu wording varies by version. Export the whole resume rather than a selected page.
Use the official instructions below for your platform. Do not rename a .docx extension to .pdf: changing the name does not convert the file.
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.
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 the Word file today? Public Word conversion is not enabled yet. Use one of the export methods above; there is no online Word upload step in this tutorial.