Understanding the difference between PDF (Portable Document Format) and DOCX (Microsoft Word Document) can save you hours of formatting headaches.
When to use DOCX
DOCX is designed for editing. If a document is a work in progress and requires collaboration, tracked changes, and heavy text editing, DOCX is the absolute best choice.
When to use PDF
PDF is designed for sharing and archiving. It locks down the formatting, fonts, and layout so that the document looks exactly the same on any device or operating system.
- Resumes: Always send resumes as PDFs.
- Contracts: PDFs cannot be easily altered without leaving a trace.
- Printing: Print shops strongly prefer PDFs.