⬇ Word (.docx) — use for job portals

When uploading to LinkedIn, Indeed, Workday, Greenhouse, or any online application portal — use the Word doc. Most portals auto-populate their form fields from .docx files so you don't have to retype everything manually.

⬇ PDF — use for direct emails

When emailing your resume directly to a recruiter or hiring manager — use the PDF. It preserves formatting perfectly on any device and looks exactly as intended.

Your resume mirrors keywords from the job description — this is the most widely recommended technique for passing automated screening systems, based on publicly documented recruiting industry best practices.

Industry research suggests the majority of resumes are filtered by automated systems before a human reads them. RISN follows documented formatting best practices — clean structure, standard fonts, no graphics — to help your resume parse correctly.

Avoid the word "junior" in your title or anywhere in your resume — many ATS systems use it as an automatic disqualification trigger, even for entry-level roles.

Word docs often parse more reliably than PDFs in online job portals — this is a commonly reported experience among job seekers and recruiters. When uploading to a portal, .docx is generally the safer choice.

Recruiters use "must have" keyword filters — if the job description says "Salesforce experience required" and your resume doesn't include the word "Salesforce", you're automatically filtered out regardless of your actual skills.