How to Name your Resume document

When naming your resume document, it’s important to choose a professional and clear name that helps you stand out and ensures the file is easily identifiable.

The file name should be professional, concise, and include your full name, the word “resume” or “CV,” and the date in a consistent format. Avoid generic names and use underscores or hyphens instead of spaces.

Here are some tips for naming your resume document:

1. Use your full name: Begin by including your full name in the file name. This helps recruiters or employers quickly identify who the resume belongs to.
2. Add the word “resume” or “CV”: To make it clear that the document is your resume, include the word “resume” or “CV” in the file name. For example, “John_Doe_Resume.docx” or “Jane_Smith_CV.pdf.”
3. Include the date: Adding the date to the file name can be helpful, especially if you are regularly updating your resume. It allows employers to distinguish between different versions. Use a consistent date format such as YYYY-MM-DD or MM-DD-YYYY. For example, “John_Doe_Resume_2023-05-26.docx” or “Jane_Smith_CV_05-26-2023.pdf.”
4. Avoid generic names: Stay away from generic names like “resume.doc” or “CV.pdf.” These names are not unique and can be confusing if you have multiple versions of your resume.
5. Be concise: Keep the file name concise and to the point. Avoid including unnecessary details or long descriptions. Use a format that is easy to read and understand.
6. Use underscores or hyphens: If you need to separate words in the file name, use underscores (_) or hyphens (-) rather than spaces. This ensures that the file name is compatible with different systems and is easily readable.

Putting these tips into practice, an example of a well-formatted resume file name could be “John_Doe_Resume_2023-05-26.docx” or “Jane_Smith_CV_05-26-2023.pdf.”

Remember that it’s essential to save your resume document in a widely accepted format, such as PDF or DOCX, to ensure compatibility with different systems and software versions.