Best Practices for PDF Resumes in the USA (ATS-Friendly & Under 2MB)
Recruiters in the United States rely on Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) and job portals like LinkedIn, Indeed, and Glassdoor. These systems often reject resumes larger than 2MB or those with poor formatting. Here’s how to prepare an ATS-compliant PDF resume that looks professional and gets delivered every time.
Why File Size & ATS Compliance Matter
Uploading a PDF resume over 2MB can cause silent failures on portals. That means recruiters never see your application—even if your qualifications are perfect.
- LinkedIn: limit is 5MB, but under 2MB is safest.
- Indeed: strict 2MB limit.
- Glassdoor: strict 2MB limit.
How to Make Your Resume ATS-Friendly
- Use simple fonts like Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman.
- Avoid text boxes, images, or complicated tables.
- Save directly as PDF from Word or Google Docs with “Tagged PDF” enabled.
- Compress the file using our Compress PDF tool.
- If you have certificates and multiple docs, Merge PDFs before compressing.
Free Tools You Can Use
- Compress PDF Resume — shrink resumes under 2MB instantly.
- AI Resume Builder — generate ATS-optimized resumes.
- Remove Pages — trim unnecessary content before applying.
FAQ
Will compressing change how my resume looks?
No. Fonts, spacing, and sections remain intact. Only the file size is reduced.
Can I include graphics or a photo?
For US job portals, it’s safer to avoid. ATS prefers text-based resumes.
What if my resume is still too large?
Try compressing again, or use Advanced PDF Compressor for stricter size reduction.