Choose individual PDFs when you want to review resumes as they save or keep browser memory use lower. Choose ZIP batches when you want grouped files to move or hand over together. Both options download available applicant attachments; neither changes which resumes your LinkedIn account can access.
Choose the output for the job you need to do
In Waslio Resume Downloader, the output choice is Individual PDFs or ZIP batches. You make that choice in the extension popup before starting an export on a job’s Applicants page in LinkedIn Hiring or Hiring Pro.
| Your priority | Start with | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Read documents while the export continues | Individual PDFs | Each file has completed downloading before opening it. |
| Export on a browser that has slowed down | Individual PDFs | Use one export at a time and inspect any pause message. |
| Move a grouped batch to approved team storage | ZIP batches | Keep every ZIP part and verify its contents. |
| Give reviewers a file-to-applicant reference | Either | Keep the accompanying CSV index with the documents. |
Neither choice is an applicant spreadsheet export by itself. The CSV is a file index; it is not a replacement for every field in an applicant tracking system. See Excel applicant lists versus attached resume files if the spreadsheet is your main requirement.
When individual PDFs are the practical default
Individual mode saves documents separately. It is useful when you want to start a first review before the whole export finishes, inspect a specific document, or work with an importing system that expects individual files.
It also avoids keeping a group of resume files in memory while an archive is assembled. Actual performance depends on document sizes, other open tabs and the computer. There is no universal applicant count at which every browser will become slow.
Use the numbered filenames and index.csv together. If you move or rename a file for review, keep its reference accurate in your working index. A name alone is not a reliable way to identify an application.
What ZIP batches actually give you
ZIP mode collects resume files into archives. In the 1.5.2 package reviewed for this guide, the extension saves the archive in parts as a batch fills, and adds an index.csv for that part. A large job can therefore produce several ZIP files rather than one final archive.
ZIP is a packaging choice here, not a promise of smaller documents. The reviewed implementation stores the files without ZIP compression. Do not select it expecting a particular reduction in megabytes or faster access to LinkedIn.
Keep all archive parts. When extracting more than one part into a single folder, take care with repeated index.csv filenames: retain each part’s original index in its own subfolder, or give working copies clear part labels. Do not overwrite the earlier index just because the extraction tool asks.
Check these five things before a large export
- Confirm the source. Open the correct job and applicant list. If using filters, follow the filtered applicant batch checklist.
- Check access manually. Open an attached resume before starting. A missing attachment cannot be created by changing output format.
- Choose output and pace. Individual PDFs are a sensible starting point for a browser under pressure. Gentle pace gives the page more time between actions; it does not bypass LinkedIn controls.
- Check download settings. Chrome’s download settings cover the destination folder and automatic downloads. Use your organization’s approved settings.
- Keep the context stable. Leave the applicant tab open and avoid changing the job or filters during the run.
If a run stops, verify what was saved first
Keep completed PDFs or ZIP parts while you investigate. An export progress message, a browser download starting and a finished file on disk are different observations. Check Chrome’s Downloads list and open a sample of the completed documents.
If LinkedIn shows a blank page, sign-in request or access error, stop and restore normal access before continuing. Faster settings, another output format and repeated restarts do not resolve an account restriction. Use the download troubleshooting guide for the next check.
Resume the saved export for the same job once the page is accessible. Leave duplicate checking enabled unless you have a specific reason to download another copy. Its history is local to that browser and job; it is not a shared record across the whole hiring team.
A completed export needs a final check
For an illustrative batch, imagine 40 applicant rows, 36 readable resume files and four exception rows. The result is not simply “36 applicants.” Review those four statuses and their source applications to distinguish unavailable attachments, skipped duplicates and technical failures.
- Open a sample of documents and match them to the appropriate index.
- Keep each ZIP part and its index, if using archives.
- Record unresolved exceptions separately from completed files.
- Share through the storage and access process your hiring team uses.
Then use the resume organization and handoff guide to prepare the reviewer batch.
Try 10 applicant resume downloads free
Start on an applicant list for a job you manage in LinkedIn Hiring or Hiring Pro. The first 10 resumes per job are free without sign-up. An email trial adds 50 resumes across jobs. Pro is $10/month or $89/year for new subscriptions.
Try Resume Downloader free →Sources and product scope
Format behavior was checked against the owner’s 1.5.2 extension package. Interface details can change in later versions. The batch example is illustrative, not a customer result.