How to Name Your CV File: Professional Examples That Get Opened

## The Direct Answer: How should you name your CV file? Use this exact format: **Firstname-Lastname-CV-TargetRole.pdf** (hyphens, no dates, no version tags). It's instant to read for humans and safe for ATS systems. ## What do recruiters see when they download CVs? Recruiters often bulk-download dozens of CVs into a shared folder. If your file is called "CV.pdf" or "Gary_CV_v3_FINAL.pdf", they must open it to know who you are. That slows them down and makes it less likely your file is forwarded. Front-load your name and the role so a hiring manager can glance at a file list and immediately know who you are and why you applied. Use the job title (or short target role) instead of a date — job titles show intent and avoid the "stale CV" problem when recruitment cycles take months. Examples that read professionally at a glance: - Jane-Doe-CV-Product-Manager.pdf - Ahmed-Saleem-CV-Data-Analyst.pdf - Priya-Rao-CV-Head-of-Marketing.pdf Avoid anything that looks like draft or internal naming: "final", "v2", "updated", or dates like "Jan_2026". Those words add noise and suggest uncertainty. ## How do ATS systems handle file names? ATS platforms (Workday, iCIMS, Lever, Bullhorn) may ingest file names as metadata. Keep filenames machine-friendly: - Use **hyphens** (-) or **underscores** (_) instead of spaces to avoid URL-encoding (%20). - Stick to **alphanumeric** characters and hyphens; avoid commas, ampersands, slashes, brackets and other special characters. - Keep it concise — aim for under **40 characters** where possible; long names get truncated in email clients and shared drives. Technical do's and don'ts: - Do: Firstname-Lastname-CV-Role.pdf - Do: Use .pdf when emailing a recruiter, but follow the job advert (many portals prefer .docx) - Don't: Include dates (e.g., "Jan2026") — they make your CV look outdated later - Don't: Use version tags like "v3" or "FINAL" Why not dates? If a hiring manager keeps your CV for a future role, a date implies it's old. Why not version numbers? They signal indecision and give the impression the document is unfinished. ## Practical examples and when to use .docx vs .pdf - Uploading to an online portal: prefer **Firstname-Lastname-CV-Role.docx** (many ATS parsers handle Word more reliably). - Emailing a recruiter or hiring manager directly: use **.pdf** to preserve layout and ensure the document looks the same on every device. - If the employer explicitly requests a format, follow that request — always. Keep the filename readable for humans (remove https:// or special formatting). If you include your LinkedIn or portfolio, put those links inside the CV, not in the filename. *Practical tip:* Test the filename by downloading a bunch of sample CVs into a folder to see how yours appears in a stack. If it stands out for the right reasons, it works. *For more on sending files and formatting for recruiters, explore our [Format & Layout](/format-and-layout) insights.* - [ ] File name starts with your Firstname-Lastname (no nicknames) - [ ] It includes "CV" and the specific target role (no dates) - [ ] Uses hyphens or underscores instead of spaces - [ ] No version tags (v2, Final) or special characters - [ ] Filename is under 40 characters where practical - [ ] File format follows the advert (.docx for portals, .pdf for email)