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When a job application asks for a file, download your resume from the editor. A PDF takes one click. Word, OpenDocument, Markdown and JSON files are one step further, in the Download & history sheet.

Choose a format#

FormatUse it for
PDF (.pdf)Applying for jobs and emailing recruiters. It looks exactly like the page in the editor.
Word (.docx)Job portals or recruiters who ask for a Word document. The layout is simplified, so it won’t match the PDF exactly.
OpenDocument (.odt)LibreOffice, OpenOffice and other open-source editors. The layout is simplified, like Word.
Markdown (.md)Plain text with headings, for pasting into application forms, notes or AI tools. See Exporting a resume to Markdown.
JSON (.json)A complete backup of the resume that you can import back into Reactive Resume later.

If you’re unsure, choose PDF. It’s the format most employers expect.

Download a PDF#

In the editor bar, select Download PDF, or press ⌘ P (Ctrl P on Windows and Linux). The button shows Preparing… while the file is made, then your browser saves it.

Green Download PDF button with a separate arrow segment on its right
The Download PDF button. The arrow beside it opens every format.

The file is named after the full name on your resume, such as David-Kowalski-Resume.pdf. If the resume has no name yet, the document’s name is used.

Note

In the editor, ⌘ P downloads the PDF instead of opening your browser’s print dialog. To print, use Print in the document menu (see Print your resume).

Download another format#

Open the Download tab

Select the arrow beside Download PDF (More download formats), or press ⌘ ⇧ E (Ctrl Shift E). The Download & history sheet opens on its Download tab.

On a phone, select the resume’s name at the top left to open the document menu, then More download formats.

Pick a format

Select PDF, Word, OpenDocument, Markdown or JSON. Each option says what it’s best for.

Check the file name

The File name field shows the name recruiters will see. Change it if you like; the extension is added for you. Characters that computers don’t allow in file names, such as / or :, are removed as you type.

Download

Select the download button at the bottom, for example Download Word. It shows its progress, and a message confirms the file name once it’s saved.

A few things you may see on this tab:

  • Check has n things to review. You can still download. Check mode found issues on your resume. They never block a download; select Review to see them first.
  • Also download the company cover letter appears when this resume belongs to a job application that has a cover letter. Tick it to get both files at once, in the same format.
  • If a Word, OpenDocument, Markdown or JSON file can’t be made, the tab says so. Select Try again, or Download PDF instead.

What each file contains#

  • PDF keeps your template, fonts, colors, layout and page breaks. Hidden sections and entries are left out.
  • Word keeps your content, headings and lists in an editable document. Visual details such as columns, colors and icons are simplified, your photo isn’t included, and hidden content is left out.
  • OpenDocument is the same editable, simplified document as Word, saved as the open .odt standard for LibreOffice, OpenOffice and other open-source editors. Your photo isn’t included.
  • Markdown keeps headings, lists, links, bold and italic text. It leaves out hidden content and all visual design.
  • JSON keeps everything: every section and entry, hidden ones included, your design settings and your private notes. To restore it, select New, then Import a resume, and choose the file. Importing creates a new resume; it doesn’t overwrite one.
Warning

A JSON file includes your private notes and hidden entries. Treat it as a backup for yourself, not a file to send to employers.

Open the document menu

In the editor bar, select the resume’s name.

Select Print

Select Print. Reactive Resume prepares the same PDF you’d download and opens your browser’s print dialog. If your browser blocks that, the PDF opens in a new tab so you can print it from there.

Document menu under the name Game Developer Resume, with Rename, Duplicate, Lock editing, Notes, Details, Print and Move to Trash
Print in the document menu

Printing uses the PDF, so the printout matches the file recruiters receive.

Downloads by visitors#

If your resume has a public link, visitors can download the PDF from the public page, unless you turn off Visitors can download the PDF. These downloads show up in your statistics. See Sharing your resume with a link.

The public PDF follows the web page’s contact-privacy settings. Your own exports from the editor keep your contact details, so check the file before sending it. As the signed-in owner, you can download your own PDF without entering the public-link password, even when visitor downloads are disabled.

Export from the native app#

Select Download in the editor to open Download & history, then choose File format and review File name. For PDF, select Share PDF; the system share sheet lets you send the file or save it to a storage provider. Other formats and linked cover letters need a connection. A local PDF can be made offline if its fonts and images are already cached. Share is a separate editor mode for publishing a web page.

Note

On the website, Download PDF, Share and their shortcuts are unavailable while you’re offline. They come back when your connection does. The native app’s local PDF export has the offline support described above.