Can all of the Google recruiting tips apply to the average job seeker?

PDF format

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Google recommends that your loan processor resume be in PDF format. Interestingly, others in the global HR industry recommend Microsoft Word to create such a document.

  1. The first and foremost reason is that many recruitment systems cannot read PDF data, and therefore your resume is unlikely to pass successfully through software for recruitment and will be human to read.
  2. The second reason is that, for example, recruiting agencies or company HR departments prefer a format that allows you to remove your contact information and place your resume in its own internal template, before handing it out to clients – if you send them a PDF, they will not will be able to do so.

Given their daily work, Google’s suite of software algorithms may be more advanced and able to read PDFs, but outside of Google Word, Microsoft Word is a much safer option. A PDF can make your resume more appealing, but if it’s not readable on a computer, it will never be readable by a recruiter.

Resume on one page


Obviously, Google prefers a one-page resume unless you’re applying for a tech or engineering job. This may be Google preference and recommending a one-page resume is mentioned from time to time, but this is mostly an urban myth with little reason.

Learn how to make an informed decision about inviting a candidate for an interview based on the information on a single page. And why do hiring managers and recruiters check job seekers on social media if they need less information?

The purpose of a resume is to “sell a specialist,” and one page will be extremely limiting for most people. Two pages is definitely not a problem, and in many countries even three pages are acceptable.

Use the formula

Google describes a well-known achievement writing formula that many resume writers refer to as a “results first” technique. It is widely accepted that achievement is the foundation of a successful program, and Google’s description of it makes a lot of sense.

Let’s see an example:

“Reduce costs by 10% through an extensive cost rationalization program”.

You can imagine the same thing as this:

“A major cost rationalization program has reduced costs by 10%”.

Both would be perfectly fine, and your choice will depend on where you want to emphasize. Results are generally important information, but if you want to emphasize the fact that you were in charge of the cost rationalization program as it is prominently noted in the job description, then the last results approach may be more appropriate.

And yet, as long as you fill your resume with tangible, measurable and statistical results, you are much more likely to be employed, whether the employer is Google or any other organization.