

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

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.
Several users mentioned juggling multiple tailored resumes:
For them, naming conventions were crucial:
FirstName_LastName_Resume_Sales.pdf vs. FirstName_LastName_Resume_Marketing.pdf
A few formats raised red flags:
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.
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.