Resume PDF Guide
Merge Resume and Cover Letter PDF
Some job applications ask you to upload only one file. If your resume and cover letter are separate PDFs, you can merge them into one clean document before submitting.
By GaryLast updated
Combine your files quickly:
Use our free merge tool to combine your resume, cover letter, and supporting documents.
Merge PDFs NowBest order for job application PDFs
- Cover letter
- Resume or CV
- Portfolio samples, if required
- Certificates or references, if requested
How to merge resume and cover letter
- Open the Merge PDF tool.
- Add your cover letter PDF.
- Add your resume PDF.
- Add any supporting documents if needed.
- Download the combined PDF file.
Should you merge everything?
Only merge documents that the employer asks for. If the job portal gives separate upload fields for resume and cover letter, upload them separately. If it only allows one file, merging is usually the easiest option.
Professional tip
Name your final file clearly, such as: FirstName-LastName-Application.pdf
Convert both documents to PDF first
If your resume and cover letter are Word documents, convert each one to PDF before merging. The Word to PDF tool accepts .docx files; older .doc files need to be saved as .docx in Word first. Converting locks in your fonts and layout so they look the same on the recruiter’s screen.
Check the merged file page by page
Open the combined PDF and scroll through it before submitting. Confirm the cover letter comes first if the employer reads it first, that no page is upside down, and that you have not included an old version of either document.
- Cover letter addressed to the right company and role
- Resume dated and up to date
- No blank pages between the two documents
- Contact details identical in both
When to send them separately
Many application systems have one field for the resume and another for the cover letter. Use the separate fields when they exist; a merged file uploaded into the resume field may be parsed as one long resume. Merge only when there is a single upload field or the employer asks for one document.
Name and size the final file
Name the file clearly, for example FirstName-LastName-Application.pdf. Two text-based PDFs are usually small, but if your resume contains a photo or design graphics, run the merged file through Compress PDF before uploading.
About the author
Gary
Gary writes the PDFAreUs guides, which explain how to prepare PDFs for email, job applications, school and government portals using tools that run in your browser.
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