Reply to: Sending / uploading CV as PDF file

[GillsMan]

In principle I have no qualms with an agent summarising my CV to a client. What bugs me is the hash they often make of it, and the lack of any communication around what they've actually sent. Had a number of times where the client was under informed about my experience due to agent shortening my CV.

I always ask the agent to forward me a copy of the CV they sent to the client before an interview for this reason.

[Vandalay]

In principle I have no qualms with an agent summarising my CV to a client. What bugs me is the hash they often make of it, and the lack of any communication around what they've actually sent. Had a number of times where the client was under informed about my experience due to agent shortening my CV.

[bobspud]

If agents weren't the brainless muppets they are, if they received a PDF and wanted to edit it, they would either:

1) Use the Office plug-in for Acrobat (not Acrobat Reader) and convert the PDF into Word and then edit it, or:
2) upload the PDF for free onto Google docs and then edit it.

But this would be too much asking from a lazy pimp.

That would be far too much effort. In fact even I would bin the CV rather than feck around with plugins.

The key is :Make their lazy lives easier not harder.

Even if you weave gold from camel milk you are going to get binned if they have to do more than ctrl-a ctrl-c ctrl-v remove contact details... send to client...

[Epiphone]

I love the malice in that, how about - the best "Agent" businesses would:

1. Be transparant, with clearly defined rates and real positions.
2. Be Honest and open about opportunities and margins.
3. Get agreement from the contractor that they are tied to using you for YOUR client, before you submit.

That way they wouldn't need to take out our details to mask the lies on margins, and could take READ ONLY documents.

I've sat in interviews where my CV was so hacked and edited even I didn't recognise it.

Conversely I've lost renewals because agents have driven for 200+ PD on my daily rate, without my knowledge.

Agreed, but deliberately obfuscating your CV only harms you. Pick your battles.

[Scoobos]

Yes, because all the best businesses make sure their sales brochures are difficult to read or use, don't they?

I love the malice in that, how about - the best "Agent" businesses would:

1. Be transparant, with clearly defined rates and real positions.
2. Be Honest and open about opportunities and margins.
3. Get agreement from the contractor that they are tied to using you for YOUR client, before you submit.

That way they wouldn't need to take out our details to mask the lies on margins, and could take READ ONLY documents.

I've sat in interviews where my CV was so hacked and edited even I didn't recognise it.

Conversely I've lost renewals because agents have driven for 200+ PD on my daily rate, without my knowledge.

[Epiphone]

If agents weren't the brainless muppets they are, if they received a PDF and wanted to edit it, they would either:

1) Use the Office plug-in for Acrobat (not Acrobat Reader) and convert the PDF into Word and then edit it, or:
2) upload the PDF for free onto Google docs and then edit it.

But this would be too much asking from a lazy pimp.

Yes, because all the best businesses make sure their sales brochures are difficult to read or use, don't they?

[Lewis]

Been contracting for about 15 years. I tried on one search about 5 years ago to use a PDF CV (so it could be nicely formatted etc..) and it was a nightmare.

Agents refused to accept it and demanded a Word document. I got no submissions with the PDF. In order to get submitted I needed to send a Word doc instead.

PDFs are too much hassle, just use Word and accept it might be changed. Unfortunately it's par for the course ...

[northernladuk]

If agents weren't the brainless muppets they are, if they received a PDF and wanted to edit it, they would either:

1) Use the Office plug-in for Acrobat (not Acrobat Reader) and convert the PDF into Word and then edit it, or:
2) upload the PDF for free onto Google docs and then edit it.

But this would be too much asking from a lazy pimp.

I don't see why they should. If you want to put unnecessary restraints on the documents you send in why should the agent be expected to unpick it when there are plenty of other candidates.

[petergriffin]

If agents weren't the brainless muppets they are, if they received a PDF and wanted to edit it, they would either:

1) Use the Office plug-in for Acrobat (not Acrobat Reader) and convert the PDF into Word and then edit it, or:
2) upload the PDF for free onto Google docs and then edit it.

But this would be too much asking from a lazy pimp.

[flurdness]

Ditto all above.

Whilst I would love the client to receive a nicely untouched pdf, no sane agency would allow it.

1. As mentioned they want to strip your contact details away, so the client wont circumvent the agency and contact you directly.
2. They want to brand the cv with their header and logo, so the client really knows which agency put you forward.
3. And they (sometimes) edit your CV to keyword match the exact job spec.

Also open/libre office docs in odf format, newer Word formats etc they may not be able to open and will discard. RTF or LaTex etc might also be too much hassle.

Password protected PDF seems to just indicate you dont want the job. What about dark gray fonts on black paper? Or reversed mirrored fonts? Same effect.

All my docs are in Google Docs so I need to export them to word for each CV request. Any other format you might as well not bother applying unless you are the only lead that agency and client has, which is unlikely. Unfortunately.

[cojak]

Don't rely on them having the latest version of Word and send it in a .docx format - if they can't read it, they will bin it.

Excellent advice, not something I thought of once I'd got Office 2010 on my home machine.

<goes away to check CV format>

[TheFaQQer]

In what format do you upload your CV and/or send to the agency?

MS Word 1995 - pretty much anything can open it.

Don't send it in a protected PDF - if they can't manipulate it, they will bin it.

Don't rely on them having the latest version of Word and send it in a .docx format - if they can't read it, they will bin it.

[Goatfell]

You should have:
a. Asked for a copy of the CV they sent over to the client, and
b. Brough your copy of your CV to give to the client which your contact details just happen to be on.

Some clients pretend they don't have a copy of your CV due to them knowning recruiters play with them.

Spot on, try to take enough copies for everyone to an interview, and business cards, you never know what might happen in the future

[disarm]

Cheers, I'm thinking non-protected PDF as I think it reads slightly better, but if the recruiter doesn't have access to a PDF editor I could be narrowing my chances - probably best sticking to word format then.

[SimonMac]

If you send it as a PDF he can't copy it to his headed format. I know it could be deemed cheeky and it isn't for them to alter it etc but you can't be limiting your options. If there is 50 applicants for one role and the difference between the top 5 is one has a PDF he can't alter it is singling you out for the bin.

Not a risk worth taking IMO.

What NLUK said, they will want to format it, I keep my personal stuff to a minimum (name, email and tel only) as it will be stripped out anyway so leaves more room for the actual content