What Should You Name Your Resume File? (Reddit Weighs In)

If you’ve ever paused before hitting “upload” on a job application because you weren’t sure what to name your resume file, you’re not alone. A recent thread on r/resumes sparked hundreds of suggestions from job seekers, recruiters, and resume writers about the “right” way to label your resume file.

The answers ranged from practical to hilarious, and they reveal a lot about how applicants approach job hunting.

The Funniest Answer

Let’s start with the one that got the most laughs:

HireMe_please_ramen_is_expensive.pdf

Not exactly recruiter-friendly, but relatable if you’ve been living off instant noodles while job hunting.

The Practical Favorites

Most commenters agreed on one thing: your resume name should be clean, professional, and descriptive. Here are the most common formats people shared:

• FirstName_LastName_Resume.pdf
  Simple, clean, and works in almost every context.
• FirstName_LastName_JobTitle_Resume.pdf
  Helpful if you tailor your resume for different roles (e.g., marketing vs. operations).
• YYYYMMDD_FirstName_LastName_Resume.pdf
  Popular with folks who want version control and a timestamp.
• Lastname_Firstname_Role_Resume.pdf
  Favored by people who want files to group together alphabetically in folders.

Recruiter Advice: Keep It Simple

A certified resume writer in the thread cautioned against adding dates or version numbers:

“Don’t put role names or 2025 in the file name. It signals you’ve been mass applying. Just keep it simple and organized on your own system.”

This advice echoes what many recruiters say: file names should look intentional, not chaotic.

The “Multiple Versions” Problem

Several users mentioned juggling multiple tailored resumes:

• One person kept separate resumes for sales, marketing, and customer service roles.
• Another used reusable skill blocks they swapped in depending on the job description.

For them, naming conventions were crucial:
FirstName_LastName_Resume_Sales.pdf vs. FirstName_LastName_Resume_Marketing.pdf

What Not to Do

A few formats raised red flags:

• “Resume_Final_FINAL_V5.pdf”
  Makes you look disorganized.
• “Resume1, Resume2, Resume3”
  Confusing for both you and recruiters.

The Bottom Line

You don’t need to overthink it. The safest bet:

FirstName_LastName_Resume.pdf

If you’re applying to multiple roles, add the title (e.g., FirstName_LastName_Marketing_Resume.pdf). Keep underscores or spaces consistent, avoid unnecessary dates or personal jokes, and always send as a PDF unless a job post specifies otherwise.

Quick Tip

Create a folder for each company or role. Store the tailored resume inside and keep the file name simple. That way, you look organized to employers, even if your desktop isn’t.

Are you ready to start building your resume? Start with hundreds of resume examples in our library.