Send a CV as PDF and the recruiter sees what you wrote. Send it as Word and they might see line breaks shift, fonts change, comments leftover from a friend. Different formats, different purposes. The rule of thumb is straightforward.
PDF: when it's done
Send PDF when the document is finished, the layout matters, and you don't want it changed. CVs, contracts, brochures, official letters, invoices, applications, anything you're submitting rather than collaborating on. The recipient sees exactly what you saw — fonts, spacing, alignment all preserved. They can't accidentally edit, can't introduce typos, can't break your formatting. Convert Word to PDF before sending anything in this category.
Word: when it's collaborative
Send Word when the recipient is meant to edit or add. Draft contracts being negotiated, reports being co-authored, templates being filled. Word's track-changes and comments are designed for back-and-forth. PDFs can be annotated, but real collaborative writing belongs in Word, Google Docs, or similar. If you receive PDF and need to edit substantively, convert PDF to Word.
The hybrid: draft in Word, send in PDF
Most workflows are this: write and revise in Word, export to PDF for the final send. The Word file stays as your master for future updates; the PDF goes out the door. Re-export when you need a new version. Don't try to maintain edits in PDF — every change is harder and the format is fighting you. Keep editing where editing is easy.
FAQ
What about Google Docs?
Google Docs is collaborative like Word. The same rule applies: edit in Docs, export to PDF for finished sends. Many people skip the export and share Docs links, which works if everyone has Google accounts.
Can I lock a Word doc against editing?
Sort of — Word has restrictions, but they're easier to bypass than PDF protections. For genuine 'no edits' delivery, PDF is the better lock.
Why do some employers ask specifically for Word CVs?
Applicant tracking systems sometimes parse Word more reliably than PDF. If asked, send Word. Otherwise default to PDF — it looks more polished and prevents accidental edits.
Edit in Word, send in PDF. Flint converts both ways when you need to swap.