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OCR PDF for recruiters

Updated July 2026

Arthize lets recruiting and talent teams OCR a scanned PDF in a private workspace — free, with no watermark. OCR adds a searchable text layer to a scanned PDF, turning a picture of text into words you can select, search, copy and convert.

Why recruiters OCR a scanned PDF

A recruiter merges shortlisted resumes into one packet for the hiring manager, redacts contact details for a blind first review, and sends the offer letter for signature.

Built for resumes. Whether it's resumes, shortlists, offer letters, Arthize's ocr pdf keeps the work inside your private workspace. Candidate data is personal; a private workspace keeps resumes and notes confidential.

What matters when you OCR a scanned PDF

OCR adds an invisible, selectable text layer over the scanned image.

Without OCR, a scanned PDF is just a picture and can't be searched.

Running OCR first is what makes a scan convert cleanly to Word or Excel.

How to OCR a scanned PDF

  1. 1

    Open the OCR tool

    Sign in and open the OCR tool.

  2. 2

    Add your scan

    Upload the scanned or image-only PDF.

  3. 3

    Run OCR

    Arthize recognises the text and adds it as an invisible, selectable layer.

  4. 4

    Download

    Get a searchable PDF whose text you can copy and convert.

Common questions

How do recruiters OCR a scanned PDF for free?
OCR adds a searchable text layer to a scanned PDF, turning a picture of text into words you can select, search, copy and convert. On Arthize it's free with no watermark, and the file is deleted after the job — which is why recruiting and talent teams can use it for resumes without a confidentiality risk.
Is it private to OCR a scanned PDF sensitive resumes?
Yes. Candidate data is personal; a private workspace keeps resumes and notes confidential. Files are processed inside your private Arthize workspace and deleted after the job.
How do I make a scanned PDF searchable?
OCR adds a searchable text layer to a scanned PDF, turning a picture of text into words you can select, search, copy and convert. On Arthize it's free with no watermark and processed privately.
What is OCR and why does my scan need it?
OCR adds a searchable text layer to a scanned PDF, turning a picture of text into words you can select, search, copy and convert. On Arthize it's free with no watermark and processed privately.

Related

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