Published: 2 January 2026
The "%20" Filename Error
Why you should never use spaces in your CV filename. Learn how web browsers convert spaces into ugly "%20" characters that look unprofessional.
The Ugly URL
You named your file: Gary Pine CV.pdf
It looks fine on your desktop.
But when you upload it to a web portal, the browser encodes the spaces.
The Recruiter sees:
Gary%20Pine%20CV.pdf
The Mechanics of "Clean" Data
That %20 is the code for a space. It makes you look technically illiterate.
It also creates issues for some legacy database search functions that break when they hit special characters.
The Fix: Hyphens
Always bridge the gap.
- Good:
Gary_Pine_CV.pdf(Underscore) - Best:
Gary-Pine-CV.pdf(Hyphen)
The Renaming Protocol
- Right-click your file > Rename.
- Delete all spaces.
- Insert hyphens between every word.
- Check for double-periods (e.g.,
CV..pdf) and remove them.
For more on formatting best practices, explore our Format & Layout insights.