Resume PDF Rejected? How to Fix File Size, Format & ATS Issues
Many job portals silently reject resumes because of large file size, wrong format, or ATS incompatibility. This guide shows how to fix your resume PDF so it uploads successfully.
Common reasons resume PDFs get rejected
- File size exceeds portal limit (usually 1–2 MB)
- Scanned or image-heavy resume
- Multiple files instead of one PDF
- Wrong page order (cover letter after resume)
- Unreadable text for ATS systems
Step 1: Reduce resume PDF file size
- Open Compress PDF.
- Upload your resume PDF.
- Download the compressed file (without losing readability).
Most portals accept resumes below 1 MB. Compression solves 80% of rejections.
Step 2: Merge resume and cover letter (if required)
Some job portals ask for a single document.
- Use Merge PDF.
- Place cover letter first, resume second.
- Download the combined professional PDF.
Step 3: Remove unnecessary pages
- Remove blank pages
- Delete portfolio pages if not requested
- Keep resume concise and relevant
Use Delete pages to clean the final PDF.
ATS-friendly resume tips (important)
- Use selectable text (not scanned images)
- Avoid heavy graphics and background images
- Use standard fonts (Arial, Calibri, Times New Roman)
- Save and submit as PDF unless portal asks otherwise