Many job portals reject files not because your content is weak, but because the document package is hard to review: wrong order, oversized files, mixed formats, or blurry scans.
A Simple Workflow That Works
Use this order before every submission:
- Finalize each source file (resume, cover letter, certificate, portfolio pages).
- Convert non-PDF files to PDF when required.
- Merge files in the requested order.
- Compress only if you exceed the portal file-size limit.
- Open the final file and verify page order, readability, and orientation.
Recommended File Order
| Situation | Suggested Order |
|---|---|
| Basic application | Cover letter -> Resume -> Certificate |
| Technical role | Cover letter -> Resume -> Portfolio -> Certificate |
| Academic/research | Resume -> Statement -> Publications -> References |
If the company provides a required order, always follow that first.
Common Rejection Reasons
- File too large: A 20 MB scan for a 2 MB limit.
- Wrong format: Upload requires PDF but you submit JPG/PNG.
- Unreadable scans: Low contrast or extreme compression.
- Missing pages: One page omitted during conversion or merge.
- Wrong orientation: Landscape pages inserted sideways.
Tool-by-Tool Preparation
- Convert images to PDF: JPG to PDF
- Merge all documents: PDF Merge
- Reduce file size safely: PDF Compress
- If photo uploads have strict limits: Image Compress to Size
Final Quality Check (60 seconds)
Before uploading, confirm:
- Name is visible on key pages.
- All pages are readable at 100% zoom.
- Page order matches your intended story.
- Total file size is under the limit.
- Filename is professional (for example:
Firstname_Lastname_Resume.pdf).
This short verification step prevents most avoidable submission failures.