Decrypting an Encrypted PDF File

[OnlyPantherFaninMaine]

So I recently graduated with my master's degree and have started applying to various jobs around the country. Everything was going smoothly until I needed to upload my official transcript from graduate school for some jobs within the federal government. The application requires that I upload my transcript as a decrypted PDF file. However, my transcript is secure and is encrypted at this point in time and I am unable to decrypt it myself. I had to purchase the official transcript from my university and unfortunately I am unable to save the file and it only stays available on my computer for a week.

 

My question to the Huddle, is it possible to decrypt and strip the PDF of its security so I can upload it successfully to the job application to prove that I have to education I say I do? It seems odd that a university would encrypt my transcript making it impossible to upload on a job application. Frustrating to say the least. 

[neverlosethefeeling]

Could you e-mail/call someone in your school's Registrar's office to ask about this? This has to be a common question.

 

Can you print it out and then scan it into your computer? If it's secured probably not, but maybe you can edit the document permissions yourself?

Could you take a screencap of each page and compile a file yourself? If you're using a Mac the command is Command+Shift+4 and you can select the area to capture yourself. Or Printscreen on a Windows machine and crop the image. Is it necessary that the document be searchable? If not it seems like there could be a number of viable options here.

 

Good luck applying to jobs for the Fed. They're known to take an exorbitant amount of time, sometimes over a year to get a response, even if they're contacting you to come in for an interview. Also, CVs for government positions are in a class of their own. Resumes for the private sector suck, but making one for the Gov't is even worse. Good luck.