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How to Convert Your Transcript of Records to PDF for Job Applications (Philippines)
Many employers in the Philippines ask applicants to attach a Transcript of Records, or TOR, along with a resume and other credentials. If you only have the paper copy, you will need a clean digital version that opens on any device. This guide covers scanning it properly, combining its pages and keeping the file at a size that emails and application forms will accept.
Start with the right copy
For job applications, employers may accept a photocopy or scan of your TOR at the application stage and ask for certified copies later. Requirements differ by employer, so follow the job posting. If the posting says to send a scanned copy, a good-quality PDF is exactly what it is asking for. If it specifies a particular format or file name, use that.
Scan every page cleanly
A TOR usually has several pages, and some schools print on both sides. Scan every page and every side that has content. Lay the document flat on a plain background, use even light, and keep the whole page in the frame. Shadows and tilted angles make grades and subject codes harder to read.
If you are using your phone, the scan to PDF tool turns each photo into a page. If a scan comes out slightly crooked, the deskew tool can straighten it, and the rotate tool can fix any page that is sideways.
Put the pages in order and combine them
Sort the pages before you merge them. Page order matters on a transcript, because semesters run in sequence and the summary usually appears at the end. Use the merge tool to combine the pages into one file and, if you scanned them out of order, the reorder tool to fix the sequence. Scroll through the final PDF to confirm nothing is missing.
- Scan every page and every printed side
- Straighten and rotate pages where needed
- Merge into one PDF in the correct order
- Check that grades and subject codes are readable when zoomed in
Make the file easy to send
Scans can be large, and application portals and email services commonly limit attachment size. Compress the merged PDF just enough to fit, then zoom in and confirm the text is still crisp. Give the file a plain, descriptive name such as your surname and the words transcript of records, since recruiters handle many attachments and clear names help them find yours.
Small details that make a difference
Employers reviewing many applications notice tidy files. Keep the pages upright, in order and consistent in size, and avoid including scanner backgrounds or your hands in the frame. If the transcript includes remarks or a legend on the last page, make sure that page is included.
If you are applying to more than one employer, keep one clean master PDF and reuse it. That way you send the same well-checked file every time instead of rescanning under pressure before each deadline.
Finally, keep the paper original in a safe place. An employer may ask to see it, or a certified copy, at a later stage, and the scanned PDF is only meant to get you through the first round of the application.
Check the file once more on a phone. If the grades are readable on a small screen, they will be readable for a busy recruiter checking applications on the go.
Frequently asked questions
Is a scanned TOR accepted for job applications?
Many employers accept a scanned copy at the application stage, but rules differ. Follow the instructions in the job posting.
How do I fix pages scanned in the wrong order?
Use the reorder pages tool to drag pages into the right sequence before you send the file.
Can I make the text on a scan searchable?
Yes, the OCR tool can add a text layer to a scanned PDF, which can help search and copying, though it is not required for most applications.
Does this upload my transcript to a server?
No. The tools run in your browser, so your transcript stays on your device.
Should I include the back of each page?
Include any side that has printed content, such as a grading legend or remarks. Blank backs can be left out.