Compress a Résumé or Portfolio PDF for Job Applications
Many job portals and applicant tracking systems cap a résumé PDF at ≤2MB (sometimes smaller), and portfolios are often limited to ≤10MB. To try reducing the file, set a target in Compress PDF, keep the default 'Keep selectable text' method for a résumé, and click 'Compress files'. Check output bytes and all pages before applying. Processing is local, so your résumé never leaves your device. Below: the common limits, how to compress, and how to check the result.
What upload limits do job portals usually set?
Limits vary by company and system (career portals, ATS upload fields), but a few ranges are common. Read the hint next to the upload box before you start.
- Résumé PDF: commonly ≤2MB, sometimes ≤5MB, occasionally as tight as ≤1MB.
- Portfolio / design PDF: commonly ≤10MB, and easy to exceed when it's image- and page-heavy.
- Format and naming: most want PDF; use a clear filename like 'Name-Role-Resume' with no special characters.
How do you get a résumé or portfolio under the limit?
A résumé is usually text plus a few images, so it's small — going over usually means a high-res headshot, project screenshots, or export settings cranked too high. A portfolio is image- and page-heavy, so it often needs a tighter target or some trimming.
- Open Compress PDF and drag in your résumé or portfolio.
- Enter a target in KiB whose displayed bytes fit the portal's résumé or portfolio limit, with room to spare.
- Keep 'Keep selectable text' for a résumé and click 'Compress files'. Choose 'Compress as images' only if you accept losing selectable text, search and possibly fine detail.
- Download, then check the text is crisp and the portfolio images still show detail before uploading.
How do you keep the layout and your work looking good?
An application is a first impression, so over-compressing actually costs you. The trick is enough-is-enough, don't crush the visuals, and trim pages when needed.
- Don't over-compress a résumé: legible text is enough, and 2MB is usually plenty — no need to crush it to a few hundred KB and blur the headshot.
- Prioritize clarity in a portfolio: your design and photo work are the whole point, so aim for the limit (e.g. 10MB) rather than smaller to keep detail.
- Trim when it's heavy: if a portfolio is too big, drop secondary pages with Delete Pages and keep your strongest work, or use Split PDF for a main book plus supplements.
- Mind selectable text: 'Keep selectable text' avoids rasterizing pages. 'Compress as images' removes extractable text and is unsuitable when the application needs machine-readable résumé text. Neither method guarantees ATS compatibility.
Frequently asked questions
The portal wants my résumé ≤2MB — what's the safest way?
Add the résumé, keep 'Keep selectable text', and set a target in KiB whose displayed bytes fit the portal's 2MB limit. Click 'Compress files' and inspect output bytes, layout and text selection. Entering 2048 KiB means 2,097,152 bytes, which exceeds a decimal 2MB cap. Processing is local, with nothing uploaded.
My portfolio is over 10MB — how do I hit the limit without blurring it?
Set a target in KiB whose displayed bytes fit the 10MB limit, then inspect the output. If it remains too large, remove secondary pages or split the portfolio where permitted. Check all pages and the actual output bytes before applying.
Will compressing affect how an ATS parses my résumé?
It can. 'Keep selectable text' re-saves the PDF without turning pages into images. 'Compress as images' removes extractable text and can prevent parsing. Check text selection and the portal's preview after processing; the tool does not verify ATS compatibility.
Is the résumé I upload sent to compress cat's servers?
No. Compression runs in your browser via WebAssembly, so your résumé and portfolio stay on your device and are never uploaded.
Updated · compress cat team