Template Export Formats: DOCX vs PDF
Short version: For the Modern and Sidebar template families, download DOCX (Word) — it matches your preview exactly. PDF export of these two families may look different.
Which templates does this affect?
Only two template families use advanced formatting that behaves differently across export formats:
- Modern (all color variants) — each job is shown in a shaded, rounded box with an accent border, under a full-width color header band.
- Sidebar (all color variants) — a full-height colored column with a circular initial badge and light-on-dark side sections.
Every other template family (Classic, Executive, Minimal, Banner, Two-Column, and all cover letter layouts) exports consistently in both DOCX and PDF.
Why does this happen?
The on-screen preview is built with modern web styling. Word documents (.docx) are built from a different, older formatting model — and a few visual effects don't have a one-to-one equivalent in both worlds:
- Rounded, shaded boxes (Modern's per-job cards) — Word shading fills rectangular areas; the preview's rounded corners and soft borders don't translate the same way.
- Circular photo/initial crops (Sidebar's avatar circle) — Word has no image-free circular crop, so the .docx uses a large styled initial instead.
- Full-height color columns — Word approximates the Sidebar's edge-to-edge color using table shading, which can behave differently at page breaks.
We tuned the DOCX output of these templates by hand so it matches your preview as closely as Word allows — which is why we recommend it as the export format for them.
Why DOCX is the right choice for job applications
- It matches your preview. For Modern and Sidebar, the .docx is the faithful version of what you designed.
- Recruiters can edit and comment. Hiring managers and recruiters often want to make notes or small tweaks before passing your resume along.
- ATS systems parse Word files reliably. Most applicant tracking systems were built around .docx first.
- Most job portals prefer or require it. Workday, Taleo, iCIMS and similar systems accept .docx everywhere.
When is PDF still useful?
PDF locks your layout so it can't be edited or reflowed — useful when that's the point:
- Portfolios and design-forward roles, where you're emailing a human directly and want a fixed look.
- LinkedIn's "Featured" section or attaching your resume to a profile.
- A locked-down "final" copy for your own records or for sharing where you don't want edits.
If you want a PDF with Modern or Sidebar, we don't block it — just review the file after export and check you're happy with how it came out. Or pick a template from the other families, which export identically in both formats.
Questions?
Email us at [email protected] — we're happy to help you pick the right template and format for where you're applying.