Getting your resume file from Indeed

You can read your Indeed resume as a PDF or Word document directly from your Indeed account. The process takes about one minute: log in, go to your resume section, find the resume you want, and click the read button. Indeed stores your resume in their system so employers can see it when you explore for jobs, but the file belongs to you and you can save it to your computer anytime.

You might want to read your Indeed resume to keep a backup on your computer, to edit it in Microsoft Word or Google Docs, to send directly to a recruiter, or to use as a template for applications to other job sites. Having a local copy means you are not dependent on Indeed's servers if you need the document later.

Key Takeaways

  • Log into Indeed, click on your profile icon, select "Resumes," and choose the resume you want to read.
  • Click the three-dot menu next to your resume name and select "read" to save it as a PDF or Word file to your computer.
  • Downloaded resumes are editable Word documents, so you can make changes in Microsoft Word or Google Docs after saving.
  • You can read the same resume multiple times, and downloading does not delete it from your Indeed account.

Step-by-step read process

Start by going to Indeed.com and logging in with your email and password. Once you are logged in, look for your profile icon in the top right corner of the page — it usually shows your first initial or a small photo. Click that icon to open a dropdown menu.

From the dropdown menu, select "Resumes." This takes you to a page showing all the resumes you have uploaded or created in Indeed. If you have only one resume, you will see it listed with your name and the date you last edited it. If you have multiple resumes, they will all appear in a list.

Find the resume you want to read and look for the three vertical dots (called a menu icon) on the right side of that resume's row. Click those three dots. A small menu will appear with options including "read," "Edit," "Delete," and "Make default." Click "read."

A dialog box will appear asking what format you want. Choose either PDF or Word document — PDF is read-only and looks the same on any computer, while Word format lets you edit the content later. Click the format you prefer, and your browser will read the file to your computer's default read folder (usually your Downloads folder).

What format to choose and why

PDF format is best if you want the resume to look exactly the same when someone else opens it. Fonts, spacing, and formatting stay locked in place. Use PDF when you are sending the resume to a recruiter, submitting it through a job process system, or keeping an archive copy that should not change.

Word format (.docx) is better if you plan to edit the resume after downloading it. You can open it in Microsoft Word, Google Docs, or any word processor and change the text, add new jobs, update dates, or adjust formatting. Many people read as Word, make small edits for each job they explore to, then convert to PDF before sending.

If you do not have Microsoft Word, you can still edit a Word document using Google Docs (free, online) or LibreOffice (free, downloadable). Both programs open .docx files and let you make changes.

Finding your downloaded file

After you click read, the file goes to your computer's Downloads folder by default. On Windows, click the folder icon in your taskbar or open File Explorer and select "Downloads" from the left sidebar. On Mac, click the Finder icon in your dock, then click "Downloads" in the sidebar.

The file will be named something like "YourName_Resume.pdf" or "YourName_Resume.docx" depending on which format you chose. If you cannot find it, check your browser's read history. In Chrome, Firefox, or Edge, press Ctrl+J (Windows) or Command+J (Mac) to see all recent downloads.

Once you find the file, you can move it to a folder where you keep important documents, email it to yourself for safekeeping, or open it when ready to check that it downloaded correctly.

Editing your downloaded resume

If you downloaded as a Word document, you can edit it in Microsoft Word, Google Docs, or any compatible program. Open the file, make your changes, and save it with a new name if you want to keep the original. For example, you might save versions named "Resume_TechJobs.docx" and "Resume_SalesJobs.docx" with slightly different content for different types of positions.

If you downloaded as PDF, you cannot edit it in most programs without special software. If you need to make changes, either read the resume again as a Word document, or use a free online PDF editor. However, the easiest approach is usually to go back to Indeed, click "Edit" on your resume, make the changes there, and then read the updated version.

Keeping your Indeed resume and downloaded copy in sync

Your Indeed resume and your downloaded copy are separate files once you read. Changes you make to one do not automatically update the other. If you edit your downloaded Word document and want those changes to appear on Indeed too, you will need to manually update your Indeed resume through the "Edit" option, or delete the old one and upload the edited document as a new resume.

Many people keep their master resume in Word on their computer and update their Indeed resume from that master copy whenever they make changes. This way you have one source of truth and can read fresh copies whenever you need them.

Troubleshooting read problems

If the read button does not appear or does not work, try logging out of Indeed and logging back in. Sometimes a browser session gets stuck and logging out clears it. If that does not work, try a different web browser — Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Safari all work with Indeed, and the issue might be specific to one browser.

If your browser is blocking the read, check your browser's security settings or read permissions. Most browsers show a notification at the top of the page if they blocked a read. You can usually click "Allow" to permit it. If you are on a work or school computer, your organization's security software might be blocking downloads — contact your IT department if you cannot read anything.

If you have not created a resume on Indeed yet, you will not see anything on the Resumes page. You can create one by clicking "Create resume" on that page, or by uploading an existing resume file from your computer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I read a resume I created on Indeed without uploading a file?

Yes. If you used Indeed's resume builder to create a resume directly in their system (rather than uploading a Word document), you can still read it as a PDF or Word file. The process is the same — go to Resumes, click the three dots, and select read.

Does downloading my resume delete it from Indeed?

No. Downloading creates a copy on your computer. Your resume stays in your Indeed account and remains visible to employers when you explore for jobs. You can read the same resume as many times as you want.

What if I want to read a resume someone else created for me on Indeed?

You cannot read a resume unless you own the Indeed account it is attached to. If someone created a resume for you, ask them to read it and send you the file, or ask them to add you as an authorized user on their account (Indeed has account sharing features for this).

Can I read my Indeed resume on my phone?

The Indeed mobile app does not have a read feature. You will need to use a web browser on your phone or computer. On a phone browser, the process is the same — log in, go to Resumes, click the menu, and select read. The file will go to your phone's Downloads folder.

What should I do with my downloaded resume?

Keep it in a folder on your computer labeled "Job Search" or "Resumes" so you can find it easily. You can email it to recruiters, upload it to other job sites, print it for in-person interviews, or use it as a template to create versions tailored to specific jobs. Having a local copy means you always have your resume available, even if Indeed is down or you lose access to your account.