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Best Resume Advice According to Reddit: 6 Tips That Actually Work

• Julia Mlcuchova , 
• Updated January 29, 2024 9 min read

Do you often turn to Reddit for answers to your burning questions? And, have you considered exploring this popular online forum to uncover what the best resume advice according to Reddit is?

Of course, Reddit can be notoriously difficult to navigate and not all of its users actually know what they're talking about.

Still, Reddit and other public forums can be valuable sources of first-hand experience in all things resume. 

We've painstakingly sifted through countless subreddits, all dedicated to resume writing and career tips, to save you the trouble.

Now, we present to you the crème-de-la-crème of Reddit resume advice. 

In this article, you'll find:

• 6 best resume advice according to Reddit;
• What we think about them; 
• And, of course, examples. 

Table of Contents

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TL;DR: 5 Best resume advice according to reddit

1. use a single column layout to pass the ats.

• 2. Don't name your resume 'resume.pdf'

3. Keep your job descriptions short. Use bullet points and action verbs

4. use numbers to quantify your achievements, 5. less is more for both word count & job applications per day, 6. use resume builders to make your life easier, key takeaways: best resume advice according to reddit.

First, for those in a hurry, here's the TL;DR version of our top five resume advice gathered from Reddit:

• Use a single column layout to pass the ATS.
• Don't name your resume 'resume.pdf'.
• Keep you job descriptions short. Use bullet points and action verbs.
• Use numbers to quantify your achievements.
• Less is more for both word count & job applications per day.
• Use resume builders to make your life easier.

Now, let's look at the best resume advice according to Reddit users more closely. Here's what we think:

If you thought that layout doesn't play any significant role in the success rate of your resume, you thought wrong!

In case the company you're applying to uses an Applicant Tracking System, always opt for a single column layout . 

The reason? ATS compatibility. 

Even though all ATSs are designed to read text from top to bottom, left to right , not every ATS is programmed to distinguish between columns. 

And you just can't know with certainty which software you'll encounter. Therefore, reduce the risk of your resume being incorrectly processed or rejected by picking a one-column ATS friendly resume template . This will make the process of parsing and interpreting information easier and safer.

HOWEVER. That doesn't mean you should discard the two-column resume all-together. Here are some reasons why a two-column layout can still be beneficial :

• Non-ATS employers . Many companies still don't use ATS systems, making the ATS compatibility argument less relevant in these cases. For these employers, the visual and organizational benefits of a two-column layout could be more advantageous.
• Aesthetics . A two-column format can be more visually engaging, making your resume stand out.
• Ease of reading . Smaller chunks of information can make the resume easier for the human eye to navigate.
• Space management . For those with less experience, a two-column layout can help evenly distribute text and avoid large empty spaces.
• Strategic organization . It allows for a more strategic presentation of information, guiding the recruiter's eyes through your resume efficiently.

Moreover, if you're just entering the workforce with no experience , your resume is probably still quite sparse. 

Because of this, you may end up with a large, unattractive empty space at the bottom of your document. And with one-column structure resumes, this is often the case. 

There' s an easy fix! Organizing your resume sections into a two-column structure can help spread the text more evenly.  

2. Don't name your resume 'resume.pdf'

Indeed, putting together a good resume is quite a tedious process.

There're so many rules and principles to think about, for instance:

• Every single resume section, whether it be the resume summary , work experience section, education section, skills section, or any other optional section, requires your full and undivided attention. 
• You must remember to always tailor your resume to fit a specific job description . 
• Not to mention the subsequent formatting and proofreading!

By the time you've finished writing your resume, you're likely mentally drained. 

It's at this time that errors creep out from the most unexpected places.

One such error is not naming your resume file appropriately .

How to name your resume file: step-by-step.

When naming your resume file for submission, it's important to consider clarity, professionalism, and the likelihood of it being easily found by the recruiters.  

Here are our recommendations for naming your resume file:

• Use your name. Start with your full name. This is the most crucial piece of information because it clearly identifies the document as yours. For example, "PeterStones" .
• Specify the document type. Make it clear that the document is a resume . This helps distinguish your resume from other documents like a cover letter . For example, " Resume ".
• Add the job title. This can be particularly helpful if you are sending the resume directly to a hiring manager. For example, " ProductManager ".
• Use a professional format. Avoid using any unnecessary symbols or fancy formatting. Underscores (_) or hyphens (-) are acceptable to separate words.

A good file name for your resume could look like this: "PeterStones_Resume_ProductManager.pdf".

Finally, before hitting send, consider carefully what to write in an email when sending a resume . Of course, when you're applying for a job, every detail matters. Don't neglect the content of your email – it's also responsible for making a positive first impression.

Undoubtedly, you know that the work experience section is the heart and soul of your resume.  

The recruiters always pay it the most attention, and so you need to be extra diligent and patient while writing about your past employment. 

Consequently, many will try to fit in as much information as humanly possible, disregarding the readability and quality of their entries. To steer clear from such mistake, follow these two simple principles:

• Organize your work descriptions into bullet points . Under each work experience entry, list 4-5 bullet points underlining your most notable responsibilities and achievements. That is to say, you should focus on demonstrating the impact your presence had on your former employment, rather than just stating your daily duties. 
• Open the said bullet points with action verbs . The recruiters don't care about long winding sentences! That's why it's a good idea to start each bullet point with an action verb . This will not only make your writing more concise, but it'll also depict you as a proactive, and therefore valuable, employee.

For example, a well conceptualized work entry description can look like this:

Work experience entry example:

Senior Product Manager XYZ Tech Solutions, New York, NY | June 2019 – Present

• Led a team of 8 in the development of an innovative mobile application, increasing user retention by 35% within six months.
• Collaborated with cross-departmental teams to streamline product delivery, reducing time-to-market by 20%.
• Managed product lifecycle from concept to launch, including market analysis, positioning, and rollout strategy.
• Oversaw a budget of $1M, optimizing resource allocation and cutting costs by 15% without impacting product quality.

This is another great resume advice according to a Reddit user!

The recruiters adore to see numbers in your resume! Why, you ask?

It makes life a bit easier for them. By quantifying your accomplishments, you simultaneously allow recruiters to better gauge your abilities ; and add more weight to your words . 

Be as specific as you can - numbers are universal. 

Struggling to figure out how to incorporate numbers into your resume? Here are few examples of what you can quantify:

• Revenue and sales increases. If you contributed to growing revenue or sales, specify the percentage or dollar amount of the increase. For example: " Boosted sales by 20% within a six-month period. "
• Cost reduction. Similarly, if you implemented strategies that reduced costs, mention the amount or percentage saved. For example: " Cut operational costs by 15% through process optimization ."
• Time efficiency. If you streamlined processes, indicate how much time was saved. For example: " Reduced project turnaround time by 30% ."
• Team management. If you manage a team, you can specify the number of people you supervise. For example: " Led a team of 12 sales professionals ."
• Project scope and delivery. Quantify the size or value of the projects you managed, then mention if you delivered them under budget or ahead of schedule. For example:  " Managed projects worth $2M, consistently delivering 10% under budget ."
• Training and development. If you were involved in training, mention the number of people you trained or the improvement in performance post-training. For example: " Trained over 30 employees, leading to a 40% increase in overall team efficiency. "

Resume advice two-in-one!

As this Reddit user rightly pointed out, less is sometimes more . 

This is especially true when it comes to the content of your resume as well as the amount of job applications you send out each day .

When crafting your resume, keep in mind that you must show the recruiters that you have everything they're looking for . Chances are, you actually have much more – more diverse job experience; more interesting hobbies; or more fulfilling volunteer work you'd like to share with them. 

Obviously, resumes have their length limitations . Once you've started to write yours, you'll soon learn that you have to be picky! 

Recruiters prefer resumes that are focused, relevant, and straight-to-the-point. In other words, don't make them read information they didn't ask for. 

The same applies to applying for jobs.

Many in this situation start panic-applying to every single job posting they find. Because they assume that the more applications they send, the bigger their chances at landing a job will be. 

Makes sense right?

In theory, maybe. In practice? Hardly!

Believe it or not, there's such a thing as sending too many applications. Basically, if your solely focus on the quantity of applications, you're running the risk of sacrificing their quality . 

And that is a problem. If you'd like to learn how to go about this problem, including tips on how to manage the pressure of job hunting, take a look at what research says about the ideal number of job applications .

Now, hand over your heart!

Would you prefer to sit in front of your computer for hours, battling with Microsoft Word and its many settings? Trying to create a perfect resume design from scratch? 

Admit it, even the thought of setting margins and spacing makes you roll your eyes. 

Hence, arguably the best resume advice according to reddit is to make a resume with an online resume builder to avoid these inconveniences (politely said).

No need to scratch your head over a layout or the best colour palette! Instead, simply pick a resume template that best suits your needs (both aesthetic and practical), fill in all your information, and watch your resume come to life in seconds. 

Additionally, resume builders can proofread and correct any misspellings or typos you might've otherwise missed. 

Sounds good? If so, your perfect resume is one click away.

Resume template by Kickresume

This resume was written by our experienced resume writers specifically for this profession.

In conclusion, Reddit and other public forums can serve as a good starting point for seeking resume advice.

Apart from first-hand applicant experience, many posts are sumbitted by actual hiring managers.

However, there's a lot to weed out first to find the best resume advice according to reddit.

Plus, you should always compare your findings with reputable sources. Which is exactly what we did.

• Don't forget to name your resume file appropriately.
• Keep your job descriptions short with bullet points and action verbs.
• Keep your resume concise and the number of daily applications reasonable. 
• Use online tools (like Kickresume) to build your resume.

Ready to create the perfect resume?

Create a beautiful resume quickly with the help of AI and our customizable templates.

Julia has recently joined Kickresume as a career writer. From helping people with their English to get admitted to the uni of their dreams to advising them on how to succeed in the job market. It would seem that her career is on a steadfast trajectory. Julia holds a degree in Anglophone studies from Metropolitan University in Prague, where she also resides. Apart from creative writing and languages, she takes a keen interest in literature and theatre.

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30 Resume Tips And Advice For 2024 [With Expert Insights]

• Resume writing tips
• Tips on resume formatting
• Tips on how to design a resume that gets noticed
• Tips on research and application
• Common mistakes to avoid when crafting your resume
• Tips on what a good resume includes
• Tips on how to write a resume if don't have much experience

Quick Answer: Follow these 30 resume tips to craft a standout resume. Show passion, be specific about impact, exude confidence, tailor to each job, use a master resume, seek feedback, include social media links, highlight promotions, use power words, explain job gaps, use quantifiable numbers, mention career changes, utilize achievements, use colors strategically, research the company, follow up, and avoid common mistakes.

At the end of every year, we sit down at the Enhancv headquarters, and we analyze our database to come up with the best resume tips. This year is no different. We spent a week or so sifting through data, speaking with resume writing experts, and infusing some Enhancv know-how to craft the 2023s ultimate list of resume tips.

There’s a lot to read, so I’ll keep this intro short. Below you’ll find a list of twenty-six resume writing tips that will get you an interview. We’ll also go through a few important questions like “ Will the video resume take over? ” and “Will the traditional resume finally die?”.

The TLDR answer to both, for now, is definitely “No.”, but recruitment is changing, and so is the traditional resume.

Resume writing tips: Write a resume like a professional.

Writing a great resume is no easy task. You have a lot of work in order to transform a good resume into a great one.

How you write is how recruiters picture you. We’ve gone in-depth on the topic of how to write an impressive resume , but we’re also going a step further with the tips below to ensure your resume stands out .

Tip #1. Show your passion (project).

This tip is for: Job seekers with little or no experience.

Every employer wants you to be passionate about what you do. To grab their attention right from the start of your job search, you need to show a passion for the industry you’d like to join or the job you’re aiming to get. The most effective way we’ve seen this done is by sharing a side-project connected to the position you’re applying for.

Let’s take a look at Louis, for example. Louis used an Enhancv resume to get a job at HotJar .

When he applied for a Content Marketer position at Hotjar, Louis featured his side project on his resume. Having interviewed over 10 of the top marketers on his podcast, he knew this would catch the HotJar team’s attention.

Featuring his passion project was vital to get him an interview. He was as specific as possible, including his results. Louis believes this moved the needle for him.

Every Enhancv resume template supports a specific passion project section that you can use to showcase projects you’ve worked on, but aren’t necessarily related to employment.

Further reading

• Programming projects for resume: tips & examples
• How to list projects on a resume: a concise approach

Tip #2. Be specific and show your impact.

This tip is for: Experienced applicants.

You’ve probably heard this advice before, but “be specific” and “show impact” is pretty vague. What exactly means to “show impact?”

It boils down to ensuring every bullet in your experience section answers this question: “What was the result of my involvement?”.

Doing this ensures your resume will instantly stand out from the rest, particularly those which only list responsibilities.

In addition, instead of 10 bullets per job position, focus on 3-5 but make them count. They should be short, concise, and as specific as possible. You can also use Laszlo Bock’s formula: Accomplished X as measured by Y by doing Z .

What does that mean in practice? Here’s Laszlo Block’s (Google’s SVP People Operations) explanation :

Start with an active verb, numerically measure what you accomplished, provide a baseline for comparison, and detail what you did to achieve your goal.

Good example

In 2024, companies want candidates who can have a positive impact on their business. So show them what you can bring to the table. And keep in mind that this can be volunteer work as well.

• How to use volunteer experience to make your resume stand out
• 125 Easy resume action verbs to make your resume better

Tip #3. Be confident.

This tip is for: Everyone.

Your resume is a document that represents not only your areas of expertise but also you as a person. it needs to come across on your resume that you’re proud of who you are and what you’ve achieved. You can do this by keeping your resume consistent, specific, and balancing the professional (experience, education, projects, etc.) with the personal (passions, most proud of, life philosophy).

• Resume sections: everything you need to know
• Perfecting the education section on your resume

Tip #4. Don’t copy-paste the keywords.

Our friends from Fairygodboss (a career blog for women) shared their top resume advice for 2024:

Always tailor your resume! Your generic, send-to-everyone resume won’t land you a competitive job (or even get you in the door for an interview).

Here’s what you can do: Take a highlighter, either physical or digital, and mark each word in your resume that relates to the job you’re applying for. Within the job description, you should find each skill and responsibility and then see if you have something that corresponds to your resume.

While you don’t want to copy and paste all these words in arbitrarily, you do have to demonstrate—with your resume—that you’ve read the job description, have the relevant work experience and history, and have the required skills.

• Resume keywords to land interviews and get hired

Tip #5. Use a master resume to speed up the resume tailoring.

This tip is for: Everyone

Another helpful tip is to create a master resume which has all the relevant skills, job experience and volunteer work listed. A master resume is a general resume template that includes all your work history, volunteer experience , education , and skills . It's basically a generic resume with a record of all the details of your career.

You may find that your master resume is chock-full of information, which is okay because you can pull the most relevant information to create tailored resumes. Job seekers find that using a master resume can actually cut down on the time that it takes to create each resume.

Tip #6. Let someone else review your resume.

It’s never a bad idea to ask someone to look at your resume . Especially if it’s someone who knows you well. Often, they can give you a hand by identifying your strengths and spotting mistakes.

Make your resume with Enhancv make sure to go to the “Share” menu and choose “Get comments from friends” – you can get immediate feedback straight in our resume builder.

Tip #7. Add links to your social media profiles.

Once recruiters receive a resume, many of them go ahead and check your social media accounts, 38% of them to be exact . Why not make it easier for hiring managers and share links to your LinkedIn or Dribble or StackOverflow?

If you share your LinkedIn profile , make sure it’s updated, so it’s in line with your resume. It's in your best interest to update it with a personalized "About Me" section.

You can be a little more personal in your LinkedIn profile, highlighting your key motivations and sharing the challenges you enjoy taking on. You also can write it in the 1st person, rather than the more formal 3rd person, and this helps to share your own unique perspective on your career progression.

Don’t share your personal Instagram or Facebook. Only add those networks if they’re related to your profession. Personal social media accounts aren’t meant for professional use.

Tip #8. Include other relevant links.

Biron from Career Sidekick shared his best advice for creating a resume with us:

Add a link! Most employers and recruiters read resumes digitally, so 2021 is a great time to start adding a link or two.

Putting a link will show them you’re tech-savvy, make your resume stand out at first glance, and increase the time employers spend looking at your background overall.

Here are three ideas of what you can link to:

• A case study showing a before-and-after of a past project. What results did you achieve? How did your past employer benefit from the work you did? Talk about real results, metrics and benefits to that employer, and how you got those results. You can create this as a Google Doc and share the link in your resume “Work History” section underneath your bullet points for that role.
• Create a short, 1-2 minute video explaining why you applied for their job and why you’re a great fit. Walk them through the most relevant pieces of your background and show them that you really took the time to read their job description before applying. You can upload this as an “Unlisted” video on YouTube, so only people you’ve shared the link with can view it.
• Put a link to your online portfolio. If you’re a writer, graphic designer, programmer, or anyone else who could showcase past work in a portfolio, consider creating one and putting a link to it on your resume. If you have a website or blog, you can link to that. If not, you can create a one-page portfolio as a Google Doc for free.

Tip #9. Choose which experience to share wisely.

This tip is for: Mid– to very experienced applicants.

We also reached out to Jon from Jobscan . Here’s what he had to add:

Tailoring your resume to the job description isn’t only about matching keywords and trying to beat applicant tracking systems.

Emphasize the responsibilities and accomplishments within your relevant experience that are most important to the job for which you’re applying, even if they weren’t where you spent most of your time.

For example, let’s say you had a job in which you spent 27 hours per week fulfilling orders and managing inventory for the company’s online store. You spent the other 13 hours providing customer support.

When you apply for a new job as a Customer Service Representative, you don’t need to begin your work experience section with the fulfillment and inventory duties that took up most of your time.

Instead, start with and emphasize your customer support skills and experience because it’s what the employer needs to see in order to qualify you for the role.

Your other relevant experience can still be mentioned, but it doesn’t need to take up 70% of your resume space just because it took up 70% of your week.

Tip #10. Use power words.

Keywords are the nouns–skills, background, experience, achievements—employers look for when filtering candidates.

Power words, on the other hand, are the verbs that emphasize your chosen keywords. Both play a role in helping you win a job.

Weak language like “responsible for” or “accomplished” does your achievements a disservice.

Go for more creative power words that not only emphasize what you did but also tell a story .

Power words to use on your resume

• Implemented

Tip #11. Use a professional email address.

Don’t use the cutesy email you had in high school or college. Use a professional email address instead, with your first and last name as the username.

More tenured applicants should stop using old emails from older providers like Hotmail, Livewire, or AOL.

No one uses a Verizon email address in 2024 – instead stick with Gmail.

Tip #12. Hire a professional resume writer.

Holly from The Work At Home Woman mentioned:

If you’re having trouble crafting your resume, or worse yet, you’re not landing any interviews, it may be time to hire a professional resume writer .

Resume writers are often trained career coaches who write persuasively and can help you eloquently showcase your skills and expertise.

And since they do this for a living, they know all the strategies, resume pointers, and layouts that will make your application stand out.

Resume writers can also help if you’re switching careers, as they know how to spin your current talents into attributes for the new occupation you’re trying to break into. This small investment may help you land your dream job a lot faster.

Get critiques from multiple resume writers first before choosing one. Most offer free critiques, so this is a great way to test if you’ll like how they would approach your application before actually committing to one.

If you don’t want to hire a professional resume writer, we have an amazing resume grader baked into our resume builder .

Tip #13. Keep your resume subheadings simple.

There’s such a thing as being too clever.

Regardless of your chosen resume format or layout, you should always keep your subheadings straight to the point and easy to understand.

An Applicant Tracking System (ATS) will parse all the text from your resume, often stripping it of its design and fancy formatting.

But… and this is huge but, the ATS will use the subheadings listed to interpret the text underneath it.

Avoid catchy but ATS-confusing subheadings like:

• Qualifications
• Accreditations
• Professional background
• Academic Achievements

Tip #14. Use quantifiable numbers.

Use quantifiable figures to paint a clear picture of your achievements. While this is harder than the other resume tips here, especially if you don’t make it a habit to track your work, it certainly is the most impactful.

This applies not only to job-specific technical skills like sales, programming, or operations, but also in terms of soft skills .

Ways to add quantifiable figures to your resume

• Money or resources saved
• Profit earned
• Labor hours saved
• Sales growth
• Manpower growth

Time and dollar figures, of course, aren’t the only ways to add numbers to your resume. You can also talk numbers in terms of:

• Range: Great way to use numbers if you can’t give an exact figure
• Frequency: Show how often you did something to prove mastery
• Size: Team size, number of app downloads, restaurant size, or basically anything that could show the scale of your success or responsibilities

Tip #15. Explain job gaps.

This tip is for: People with experience.

Maybe you were laid off; maybe you were sick, perhaps you had to take care of your ailing parents. Whatever it is, the important thing is how you present yourself. Your resume is where you control the narrative, so it’s only natural that you control this part of your professional history, too. Don’t let recruiters judge you based on incomplete information. Tell them what happened by including a short note on your resume. There’s no need to dress it up. A one-liner in between job entries, or at the end of a short job in case of furloughs or company closure, is fine.

You could write:

• Company closed
• Layoff due to downsizing
• Maternity leave
• Relocated to a new city

Sure, this isn’t like the many boost-up-your-credentials resume tips listed here. But if you have a job gap, it needs to be addressed.

If you are on furlough due to COVID-19 or have been laid off due to this situation, then make a line item on your resume that says you were placed on furlough or the company closed. Because everyone has been affected by the pandemic, it is okay to mention it on your resume.

Dr. Heather Rothbauer-Wanish, Certified Professional Resume Writer

It’s better than waiting and finding out after the recruiter doesn’t call you because of the unexplained job gap in your resume.

Tip #16. Mention career changes in your work history.

This tip is for: Those switching careers

When you're branching out into a new career, be sure to mention your previous work history, while also highlighting that you're jumping headfirst into a new career. By mentioning the career change, you can show hiring managers you're changing careers, rather than just applying to any new position.

U/StageOne 2591 , shares in their Reddit post that they've reviewed over 1000 resumes. They've found that it's better to be upfront with a shift in careers, while highlighting relevant skills related to each career, both the one that you're transitioning out of and the one you're entering. Addressing is your switch in careers is better than leaving it left unexplained. U/StageOne 2591 shares a great example of how to spin a career transition to highlight transferable skills:

“Sales professional with 5 years+ years of experience looking to transition into the position of a front-end web developer. Previous experience developing websites for 3 local business clients.”

This shows that you’re not just applying to random jobs — you’re ACTUALLY trying to transition into a new field.

• How to write a career change resume

Tip #17. Recent graduates should use their accolades in school.

This tip is for: Students or recent graduates

Many job seekers who are fresh out of college struggle to fill their resume, as they don't have a ton of experience in their field. If that's you, then you can share additional relevant information about the awards and accolades that you picked up throughout your college career in your educational background section.

Receiving honors in your degree or a Summa Cum Laude distinction may set you apart from other job applicants. This is especially true if you're applying for an internship or other entry-level position. You may also choose to highlight other skills, including the ability to speak a foreign language.

Tip #18. Include promotions in your resume if you’re applying for an internal position.

This tip is for: experienced professionals

If you're applying for a new position within your company with a new hiring manager, you should share promotions you received while working for said company. You can share this helpful bit of information when you list your responsibilities, highlighting how you've received additional duties while you advanced within the company.

Tip #19. Make sure you properly write each job description in your experience section.

For the most part, the experience section on a resume takes up most of your application. That’s prime real estate. Unfortunately, most applicants waste it by describing their day-to-day activities, while they can make it much more impactful. The secret is to highlight achievements rather than job duties. We already mentioned the importance of talking numbers, so if you skimmed the article so far, jump back to Tip #14. Use quantifiable numbers .

Resume building tips: how to format a resume

While how you write your resume is important, you want the hiring managers actually to read your resume to the very end.

That’s why we’ve packed some resume best practices on formatting that will make sure your resume gets read.

• The best resume formats you need to consider (5+ examples included)

Tip #20. Make every section count.

Having onely one page to fit your whole professional career is not the easiest thing to do, especially if you have extensive professional experience. For this reason, make sure you include only relevant information and sections that will increase the value of your resume.

You can also achieve this by leaving some of your experience out, especially anything which isn’t relevant to the job or company you’re applying for. (Like that waitressing job you did in college.)

Tip #21. Use a reverse chronological format.

This tip is for: Applicants with experience.

When you write your experience section, another rule of thumb is to use a reverse chronological resume template . This means starting from the most recent position first.

Keep your dates consistent, e.g. if you decide to specify months, make sure you mention months everywhere.

We have a pretty in-depth guide on reverse chronological resumes order resumes too.

Tip #22. Keep your resume one to two pages long.

This tip is for: For mid–to very experienced applicants.

Generally, resume experts agree on the fact that resumes should be a page long. While we’re all fine and dandy with one-page resumes, we should also have to admit that two pages are pretty great too. Make sure you keep your resume no longer than two pages. It doesn’t matter how much of an experience you have, truth be told, you can probably shorten it to two pages.

We’ve written a very in-depth guide on resume length that gives you all the information on the topic. Furthermore, you can learn how to fit a lot of experience in a single page in our one-page resume guide or how to properly build a two-page resume .

Tip #23. Create a separate section for notable achievements.

Add a section specifically for your achievements . This is yet another way to tailor your resume to a specific job.

Doing this allows you to minimize the editing work you have to do. Just select two to three achievements most relevant for your desired job, then put it in a separate section.

Use bolding, italics, and all caps to highlight other achievements, such as those related to soft skills for your job.

Resume design tips: How to design a resume that gets noticed

How you write and format your resume may be the difference between getting called for an interview or not, but the design of your resume is what ultimately will get you remembered by the hiring manager.

One of the best resume building pointers we could give you is to make sure that the design of your resume is just perfect. After all, you want to choose a font that makes your resume easy to read and complement it with a color scheme that gets noticed.

We’ve built Enhancv with a focus on creating the most beautiful resumes in the world – focusing on keeping the design professional and ATS-friendly, while ensuring hiring managers can understand why you’re the best person for the job.

Tip #24. Use colors to stand out.

Applying for a job in the 21st century can’t be done with a black and white resume. One of the resume tips the designers and creatives in our readers will like – use colors. We should emphasize that making your resume more colorful means that you should use colors that complement each other and keep your resume looking professional. Having a bit of color on your resume can help you stand out from the pile of black and white sheets of paper that’s already sitting on the desk. If you use the colors of the company you’re applying for, it will instantly signal that you’ve done your research and that it’s not just another position you’re applying for—you really care and want this one.

If you’re applying for a highly corporate or a governmental job, stick to a traditional resume template . If you decide to use colors, use combinations of gray and black, or navy. Check out Enhancv’s resume builder for different color combinations to choose from.

Research and application tips: How to make sure your resume gets you an interview.

And last but not least, you’ll have to be smart when you apply for a job.

Depending on where you live, you may apply alongside 500 other people for the same job position. This can be quite daunting, that’s why you want to make sure your resume gets to the right person.

Here are our pointers to make sure your resume gets read–from networking to research and application.

Tip #25. Analyze the job ad and include the skills they’re looking for within your resume.

Companies get hundreds of applications per position and hiring managers use applicant tracking systems to help them go through the pool of applicants faster. That’s why each job ad a recruiter publishes contains keywords – these job ads are later put into the ATS and the software screens the resumes looking for particular keywords from the job ad.

It’s mandatory that you include the skills from the job description. This means that you meet the job requirements and you’ve read the job description thoroughly.

Before you start writing your resume, analyze the job description and write down these things:

• Keywords describing skills (both soft and hard skills)
• Keywords describing your experience (years, responsibilities, etc.)
• Keywords describing culture (“tight-knit team”, etc.)
• Why you believe you’d be a good fit.
• After you do this, make sure you use those keywords in your resume. The key here is to make it look natural rather than stuff every section with keywords.

Other keywords to look out for:

• Certifications – read our job-specific guides and resume examples for relevant job certifications.
• Tools or programs required for the job.
• Education and degree – Ph.D., master’s, or specific bachelor’s degree.
• Location – companies often use city names or zip codes to narrow down candidates for local-specific jobs.

Tip #26. Send your resume to the right person.

Send your resume to a relevant person instead of just blindly submitting it through a website or job portal.

Yes, many vacancies posted on job platforms don’t reveal the name of the recruiter or hiring manager. But that’s no excuse not to do your research and find the relevant person.

If you’re like many of the candidates who tout “online research” as one of their skills, this should be an effortless task for you.

Here’s how to prove it:

• Copy a couple of sentences from the job ad and paste it on Google. Chances are, the job ad is also posted on their website or LinkedIn. If it’s on LinkedIn, the job ad will show the name of the recruiter at the bottom.
• If the Google search doesn’t yield any results, look up the company’s website and visit their team’s about page. Find the company recruiter and the manager of the department you want to join, then look up their names on LinkedIn and other social media. For startups or small companies, find the CEO, and send your resume directly to them. These extra little steps can really help you stand out.

To find a recruiter or CEO’s email, you can use some free tools such as Hunter or Voila Norbert. Also, you can check their social media profiles or send them a LinkedIn message.

Tip #27. Research your potential colleagues.

It’s easier than ever to find your potential employer and their team members on social media. Right after you read the job description thoroughly, get to know the potential employer. See what their values are, what’s the company all about, etc.

Then try to mirror their language into your resume. When your potential employer reads it, they’ll feel like you already know each other.

Granted, this isn’t one of the resume hints you can easily pull off with ten minutes of work.

But the extra prep work you do here will pay off in dividends once your resume catches their attention.

Plus, you can use your research to do well on the interview.

Tip #29. Give yourself enough time.

Honestly, when it comes to resumes, what most of us want is to spend five minutes on it and have a resume that will get us that dream job.

But good things take time and so does the writing of a good resume. Remember, the upside is getting the job you want, so spending a bit more effort is worth it.

If you try to rush things, it may result in more mistakes, and you might overlook some important things. Think about resume writing as a creative process of self-discovery.

Turn on the music you like and check out some amazing resume examples for 2021. Once you have enough inspiration, go ahead and start writing.

Tip #30. Name your resume PDF or Word file properly.

When you send your resume and your cover letter to a potential employer, they often put them all in one place. That’s why it’s best to name your files properly, including your first and last name, as well as your target job.

In practice, this means: Elon-Musk-Engineer-resume / Elon-Musk-Engineer-cover-letter

This way, if your resume ends up in a file with many others, your potential employer will be able to spot your name straightaway.

Common mistakes to avoid when crafting your resume.

Some of the most common reasons applicants don’t get called for an interview for their dream job position are actually quite minuscule. They just leave a bad impression.

By far, the most common mistakes are typos. Can you believe you did not get a call for a job interview because you made a typo?

Typos alongside length and design are the most common resume mistakes . Luckily, the Enhancv resume builder takes care of all this while you focus on the more important things.

What should a good resume include?

A good resume should be packed with everything that’s needed to show your experience, passions, and know-how.

In other words, a good resume should clearly showcase your experience and know-how . This means that it’s not necessary to include every job you’ve ever had, just the ones that are relevant to the position you’re applying for.

What to include in your resume if you don't have any experience?

But how to craft a powerful resume if you don’t have the experience you may wonder. After all, with no experience, even the best resume tips won’t help you, right?

Fret not, because a resume is not only about experience. People gravitate towards showing how many years they’ve worked and where they’ve worked, because that is what they know how to do best.

The real strength in a resume lies when you show the impact you’ve made. Whether it was a side-project, or at your first job that has nothing to do with the position you’re applying for, impact shows that you’re proactive and result-driven.

We’ve made an in-depth guide on how to craft a powerful resume if you don’t have much experience .

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10 Awesome Resume Tips From The People of Reddit

Depending on what you’re visiting the site to find, Reddit can be…a mixed bag. The best part of Reddit: anyone can weigh in on any topic. The worst part of Reddit: anyone can weigh in on any topic. That means you get great information and advice mixed in with people who don’t know what they’re talking about, or are just there to stir up problems. If you’re looking for resume tips, we’ve reviewed some of the burning questions on /r/resumes , and found some awesome advice there. Let’s look at some of the greatest hits:

1. How can I make my resume pop?

Three words: simplify, simplify, simplify . Making your resume easy to read (set headers, brief explanations, clear bullet points) can help get you in the “to interview” pile and out of the “tl;dr” pile.

2. What should I include in a resume when I’ve never had a job before?

This Redditor suggests emphasizing academic accomplishments (GPA, relevant classes, degree), volunteering experience (after all, it is experience), and technical skills.

3. How do I list multiple positions at the same company?

If the jobs were dramatically different, you can separate them out and treat them like separate jobs. If they’re similar positions, concentrate more on the top-line accomplishments and skills.

4. Should I include a cover letter even when it’s not requested?

This Redditor recommends going for it. It’s a way to give more information about yourself, and can help you stand out in a very crowded applicant pool.

5. Should I use a traditional resume format or a creative one?

It can be tempting to want to use a fun new format, but realistically, traditional is best . The creativity points you score for using something unorthodox might be canceled out by the disruption to the reader’s usual evaluation process.

6. All of my experience so far is from working at my family’s business—will this help or hurt?

Basically, experience is experience , and as long as you have the skills and experience you need for the new job, you should be good to go.

7. I have 20 years of experience. Should I do a two-pager?

Not if you can help it. If you can, condense the most important highlights into one resume page . The one-page rule is about readability and the reader, not about the writer’s experience.

8. How do I list colleges when I didn’t graduate?

This can be tricky—people don’t graduate for a variety of reasons, but you still want to include that you attended college on your resume. Try using words like “attended,” or “took X credits toward a Bachelor’s degree.” Just don’t suggest that you have a specific degree if you don’t, because that can land you in very hot water. Spin is okay. Lying isn’t.

9. In this digital age, do I still need to include my physical address in the header?

Short answer: yes . It’s tradition, but it also might be a factor for resume scanning programs to see whether candidates are local.

10. Do I mention why I quit my last job?

One Redditor puts it very succinctly: “First you get the date, then you tell them you’re divorced.” You don’t want to set off any red flags before you even get an interview. It’s fine to keep it vague in a resume or cover letter, though you should be prepared to talk about it in an interview if necessary. (And always, always keep it opinion-neutral. An interview for a new job is not a venting exercise for the last one.)

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About the author.

Kate Lopaze

Kate Lopaze is a writer, editor, and digital publishing professional based in New York City. A graduate of the University of Connecticut and Emerson College with degrees in English and publishing, she is passionate about books, baseball, and pop culture (though not necessarily in that order), and lives in Brooklyn with her dog.

The 17 Best Free Resume Builders We've Ever Discovered

Published: June 15, 2023

According to GetFive, only 30% of resumes are approved by applicant tracking systems (ATS). Once the resumes are approved, a hiring manager will only spend an average of six seconds reading each resume.

With a resume builder, you can build a personalized professional resume that passes ATS, stands out to the hiring manager, and helps you land your next job interview.

Resume builders are incredibly helpful when creating a resume and can help you showcase your unique personality. Here, we’ve compiled a list of the best free resume builders . Keep reading, and then get to work designing your own with these tools.

Why use a resume builder?

Writing a polished resume is second nature for some job applicants. But even the most experienced professionals can struggle while making a resume.

If you're one of the many people who need a little extra help with resume creation, here are a few ways that a resume builder can help:

Resume builders offer templates, clean designs, and tips that speed up resume writing. They also make the process less stressful.

Offers Writing Tips

It takes a lot of work to promote yourself. And even if you enjoy self-promotion, writing isn't a skill everyone has. A resume builder can help you use the best words and phrases to show your experience and knowledge.

Improves Design

Each industry has different expectations for what a great resume looks like. If you're not familiar with design skills or tools, resume builders offer free templates to make your resume look as good as it sounds.

Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS)

Recruiters often use ATS systems to scan resumes. And a good resume builder will help with formatting to make sure that your resume is easy for these systems to read.

Best Free Resume Builders

• Zety: Best for Expert Resume Creation Tips
• Resume Genius: Best for Easy and Fast Resume Creation
• Wepik: Best for Customizing Pre-made Resumes
• My Perfect Resume: Best for Guided Resume Creation Help
• Standard Resume: Best for Active LinkedIn Users
• Kickresume: Best for Quick and AI-Assisted Resume Creation
• Canva: Best for Design Creativity and Expression
• Pixpa: Best for creating online resume websites
• Indeed: Best for In-Platform Job Seekers
• Resume.com: Best for Minimalist Resume Creation
• Novoresume: Best for ATS-Friendly Resume Building
• VisualCV: Best for Multimedia Resumes
• CakeResume: Best for Resumes With an Online Portfolio
• Resume-Now: Best for Time-Saving Resume Creation
• ResumeNerd: Best for Resume Writing Help
• Jofibo: Best for Comprehensive Guides
• Hloom: Best for Resume Templates

We’ve discovered the best free resume builders on the market. These resume builders are great for all jobseekers, from entry-level to executive level. Each free resume builder has a simple interface, customization options, and templates that help you create the perfect resume for your next job.

Featured Resource : HubSpot Resume Templates

Download these free templates to get your thoughts on paper and plan your resume before using a free online resume builder.

1. Zety : Best for Expert Resume Creation Tips

Zety is an excellent online resume builder because of its state-of-the-art templates. You can quickly start from scratch and input your information. My favorite element of this tool is that the site will walk you through the process. All you need to do is fill out the information, and then — voila! You have a resume. While this tool is free, you’ll need to make an online account.

To use Zety for free, click "Download" on the left toolbar once you reach the final step of the builder — instead of selecting "Save and next." Then, choose "Plain Text (.txt)" to download your resume for free.

Zety is best for those looking for expert help in creating their resumes. The tool provides tips and prompts to help you create the content for your resume . There are also a variety of customization options to ensure your resume fits your needs.

While you can download a .txt file for free, it costs $2.70 for a different file format, and some templates use graphics and colors that interfere with ATS.

Available Resume Templates

There are 18 resume templates to choose from, including Cascade, Crisp, and Concept.

Zety is a fast and easy resume-building tool and offers writing help at crucial moments in the process. But you won't be able to take advantage of its simple and attractive resume templates without paying a small fee.

12 Free Customizable Resume Templates

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You're all set!

Click this link to access this resource at any time.

2. Resume Genius : Best for Easy and Fast Resume Creation

Resume Genius is undoubtedly one of the easiest and fastest free resume tools you have at your disposal. With a clean and easy-to-use interface, the tool walks you (speedily) through the sections of your resume, including education, work experience, and references.

Resume Genius provides you with easy fill-in-the-blank sections so you can have an impressive, comprehensive resume in no time.

Resume Genius is best for those looking for step-by-step guidance when creating a resume. The tool offers tips and advice at each stage of the process.

Resume Genius’ search options help you build an ATS-optimized resume that’s customized to fit your industry and position.

Resume Genius has over 500 templates varying from Taj Mahal to Classic. Its resume builder tools let you scroll through different templates to see how each one looks with your information.

This resume builder feels intuitive to use and offers helpful suggestions to polish your resume. But the template selection step can feel rushed, and you'll need to pay a small fee to make the most of their wide range of templates.

3. Wepik : Best for Customizing Pre-made Resumes

A lack of graphic design knowledge is no longer an issue thanks to Wepik, a user-friendly editing tool. This tool allows users to create the most professional and attractive visual branding documents with ease.

Once you’ve picked your perfect resume, import and complete your information into the template including your academic background, contact information, and business experience.

With one more click, download the document in your preferred format and you'll be more than prepared to share your professional profile in minutes.

Wepik is a great tool for small businesses and individuals looking to create a quick, professional-looking resume and cover letter. Users will have access to completely free premium-level features within the online editor, such as a broad library of pictures, fonts, and graphic elements.

This tool includes over 100 resume templates. Wepik also has thousands of ready-made templates for cover letters, name tags, cards, and more.

Wepik makes it easy to plug your work experience into a beautiful template. Unlike the previous resume builders, it works more like a visual editor and doesn't offer as much writing help as other tools. But this tool does offer AI writing help, and you can download your finished resume in PNG, JPG, or PDF formats.

4. My Perfect Resume : Best for Guided Resume Creation Help

My Perfect Resume allows you to either start from scratch and input information into a blank template, or upload a pre-existing resume if you already have one. Plus, the tool offers you expert recommendations as you move throughout the process, including suggested phrases you can include for specific roles.

My Perfect Resume also enables you to include optional sections like certifications, accomplishments, and affiliations. This is vital, particularly if you're just starting out, or switching industries. This tool is particularly useful if you're applying for a creative role and want to add color or a unique design to your resume.

To use My Perfect Resume for free, click the"Download" button once you reach the final step of the builder instead of selecting "Finish Resume." Then, choose "Plain Text (.txt)" to download your resume for free.

My Perfect Resume is excellent for those looking for guided help when creating their resumes. The tool recommends templates based on your experience level and provides expert recommendations for skills to include based on your job titles. Compared to other tools on the list, there are fewer customization options.

This tool has over 40 resume templates. It automatically shares template options based on how long you've been working. You can also filter templates by categories like Modern, Traditional, or Creative.

This tool is super user-friendly and does a good job of anticipating and resolving challenges in the resume-making process. It also gives you a chance to experiment with templates before and after you're done editing your resume. But to make the most of its optimized templates you'll need to pay a fee.

5. Standard Resume : Best for Active LinkedIn Users

Standard Resume allows you to import your qualifications straight from LinkedIn, making it an ideal time-saver if your LinkedIn profile is up-to-date.

The white background and minimalist features enable you to focus on what really matters — your content. You can switch back and forth between "Write" and "Design" to see how your resume looks as you go along. To download it as a PDF you'll need a paid plan, but you can share it online for free when you're finished. Best of all, the tool also makes your resume mobile-responsive so that you can view it on your smartphone.

Standard Resume is great for LinkedIn users looking to quickly create an ATS-compatible resume. The tool uses your LinkedIn profile to automatically build a professional resume. Standard Resume also provides tips and best practices you can consult as you complete your resume draft.

Standard Resume offers 12 streamlined resume templates including Yew, Venables, and Cordova.

The "Review Score" feature offers a clear score and set of recommendations to improve your resume before you start designing. It also offers an easy way to share an attractive resume online. But you'll need a paid plan to download your resume as a PDF.

6. Kickresume: Best for Quick and AI-Assisted Resume Creation

Kickresume stands out as a versatile resume builder that offers both AI-assisted and manual resume creation options. With the help of OpenAI's GPT-4 model, you can generate a unique and tailored resume by simply answering a few questions.

To use Kickresume for free, simply stick to its basic features and templates that are not marked as "Premium." Create a full resume manually or with help from AI by navigating to "Your documents" on the dashboard and choosing either “New resume”, "New resume with AI", or “Import from LinkedIn”.

When creating an AI resume, provide your name, recent job title, and select a template. Kickresume will then generate a resume, which you can modify and download in PDF format.

Kickresume is ideal for those who need assistance with their first drafts, want to create a resume quickly, or simply don't enjoy writing resumes. The AI-generated content saves time, incorporates relevant keywords, and ensures your resume stands out.

Kickresume offers 35+ professionally designed resume templates. Four of these templates are available for free, while the remaining are premium options.

Kickresume is a powerful, easy-to-use resume-building tool that simplifies the resume creation process. Although some personalization may still be required, the AI-generated content saves valuable time and ensures relevancy thanks to its use of keywords.

7. Canva : Best for Design Creativity and Expression

If you're applying for a creative role or want a resume that truly lets you stand out, you might consider using one of Canva's hundreds of free designer templates.

Canva's selections are incredibly varied and unique, so you'll undoubtedly find one you like, and inputting resume sections can be as easy as copy-and-paste.

Canva is best for those looking for resume design creativity and expression. Although not specifically designed for resume building, the tool offers a wide variety of templates, layouts, and designs to choose from when creating your resume.

Hundreds of templates, organized in categories, such as Graphic Design, Corporate, and Creative. This makes it easy to choose based on your preferred industry.

This design tool can help you create a unique and visually-stunning resume. But if you're looking for help formatting, writing, or editing your resume, you may want to look for another tool.

8. Pixpa: Best for creating online resume websites

Pixpa provides an excellent solution for creating professional online resume websites that showcase your skills, experience, and accomplishments in a visually appealing and user-friendly manner. It is particularly beneficial for jobseekers, freelancers, and creative professionals who want to make a strong impression in the competitive job market.

With Pixpa, users can easily create visually stunning and customized resume websites that go beyond traditional paper resumes. 

Pixpa is ideally suited for individuals who want to stand out in the job market and present their credentials effectively. It caters to jobseekers, freelancers, creative professionals, and anyone looking to create a unique and visually striking online resume.

30+ beautiful personal and CV website templates that can be fully customised. Overall, 150+ templates available.

Pixpa is a reliable resume website builder that offers a user-friendly interface and customizable templates, making it easy to create a professional online resume. 

9. Indeed : Best for In-Platform Job Seekers

Creating an Indeed resume is an incredibly quick process. Best of all, the site allows you to automatically share your resume with employers on Indeed as soon as you're finished. If you've already completed a resume, it's still a good idea to upload it to the site for exposure to potential employers.

While Indeed doesn't offer as many options for creativity as some of the others on this list, it's an impressive option if you want to create a more traditional resume and start sharing it right away.

Just add your pre-written resume content, add it to a template, and download your resume as a PDF.

Indeed’s free resume builder is best for those looking to immediately jumpstart their job search after creating their resume. It guides you through the resume creation process with expert advice and prompts to help your resume catch employers’ attention. Resumes created using Indeed’s free resume builder are designed to be viewed and picked up by ATS.

This resume builder has eight simple templates, including Executive, Modern, and Minimalist.

This resume builder is most useful if you've already used a resume template to write each section. It's a quick way to make your resume look clean and professional, but if you're looking for writing help or advice, you may want a more comprehensive tool.

10. Resume.com : Best for Minimalist Resume Creation

With Resume.com, you can build a beautiful resume in minutes. This tool is an excellent choice if you're looking for recommendations on what to include in your resume. And this resume website has popular templates for various job categories to help you stand out from the competition.

To use this for free, when you're at the last stage, you'll see a pop-up that says to create an account — instead, just click "Skip for now." Then, in the top right-hand corner, you can click the download button.

Resume.com is great for jobseekers looking to quickly create a professional resume. This 100% free resume builder provides resume examples to help you during the process.

This tool offers 15 simple resume templates, including Apollo, Tempe, and Terra.

This resume builder is easy to use and offers general tips to inspire your resume creation. That said, if you haven't already written a resume you love, it doesn't offer any personalized help to improve your resume.

11. Novoresume : Best for ATS-Friendly Resume Building

If you want a quick, modern, and professional resume, check out Novoresume. This tool is especially popular for creative industries such as graphic design, writing, or marketing. Its drag-and-drop editor helps you customize your resume to your needs.

Plus, its "Content Analyzer" tool can give you ideas for content, formatting, and design. This makes it an excellent resume builder if you're changing careers or need an all-in-one resume tool.

Novoresume is an excellent choice if you want an ATS-friendly resume. The platform checks for relevant keywords and resume format for ATS system optimization. Its templates are eye-catching but still meet the strict ATS guidelines. Plus, Noveresume has a free ATS checker to scan your final document.

This tool offers eight free resume templates, and more with the premium version.

This tool offers a range of features to create a well-designed and easy-to-read resume that you can quickly download to PDF. But many features come with premium pricing, and there's no option to upload an existing resume for editing.

12. VisualCV : Best for Multimedia Resumes

Creative industries like photography, advertising, and design often like to see a resume with visual appeal. While many resume builders offer fetching designs, Visual CV offers a drag-and-drop editor to create a truly custom resume.

This tool also gives you a chance to track the performance of your online resume and multimedia extras. This lets you update your resume and attachments with data-driven ideas.

Besides an appealing resume, creatives often submit multimedia applications with an online portfolio, videos, images, or links. This resume builder makes it simple to add media directly to your resume, adding interaction and visual engagement.

This tool has over 20 attractive templates, including Denali, Quartz, and Fuji.

This resume builder is a great way to create an attractive and professional resume, with loads of premium choices. While technically a free tool, without upgrading to a paid account, you'll have a large watermark on your new resume PDF.

13. CakeResume : Best for Resumes With an Online Portfolio

CakeResume is one of the best resume websites for creative resumes. It offers customizable templates and a rich media editor to embed videos, images, and PDF files directly into your resume. It also includes resume optimization for ATS.

Make your resume stand out without coding experience using this simple interface and drag-and-drop tools. Once you've designed your resume you can preview to make sure your final resume is formatted correctly, then click "Download PDF" to save your new resume.

This resume builder is for job seekers who want to add an online portfolio, video, quote, or slideshow to their resume. Your online portfolio can include recent projects to help you stand out from other candidates and get to the job interview stage.

CakeResume offers 10+ multimedia-friendly resume templates.

This resume builder is excellent for creating resumes that incorporate other media or important links. But it doesn't include tips for writing, so it's useful to use a resume template for drafting your resume before using this resume design tool. 

14. Resume-Now : Best for Time-Saving Resume Creation

Creating a custom resume for each job application is ideal, but it can also be a headache because of the time drafting a resume can take. But Resume-Now is an intuitive resume builder with a ton of customization choices. It offers key phrase and skill suggestions for both ATS and the recruiter you need to impress.

Smart templates, a clear interface, and useful advice make this a great tool for resume building in no time. To download your resume, instead of clicking "Save and Next" at the bottom of the screen, click "Download." Then, select Plain Text to download your resume for free. Other resume download formats will mean a charge.

Resume-Now uses powerful templates and useful tools to speed up the resume creation process. This makes it perfect for job seekers who want to create a personalized resume for each application. You can also make your resume interactive and track resume engagement once you've finished.

Resume-Now offers over 30 attractive resume templates.

This is a comprehensive tool for efficient and effective resume building. But you lose the unique quality of the templates when using the free version only.

15. ResumeNerd : Best for Resume Writing Help

ResumeNerd is a super helpful tool for new job seekers creating resumes. It offers dozens of pre-written bullet points, expert resume coaching, and customizable designs. If you're not sure how to write a resume , this could be the resume builder for you.

Another bonus this builder offers is industry-specific resume samples. That said, if you're looking for a free tool, this free download is .txt format only.

This resume builder is a top choice for help with writing a resume. Its features include writing suggestions and pre-written sections for highlighting skills and experience. This tool is also super user-friendly for creating quick and polished resumes.

This resume builder offers 13 unique templates, including Hospitality, Impresa, and Heron.

ResumeNerd is a helpful resume builder for people building a first resume. But the suggestions and tips may not be as useful for people with more work history.

16. Jofibo : Best for Comprehensive Guides

Jofibo is known for its intuitive and easy-to-use interface where you just have to enter your data and professional experiences. The resume builder is one of the cheapest alternatives and lets you test all features for free before you decide whether or not to buy a subscription.

Jofibo is there for you all the way during your job search. With their comprehensive guides on how to write a resume, a cover letter, or how to prepare for a job interview you can always count on them for help. This tool offers expert tips during the entire resume writing process.

One of their biggest forces is their easy-to-use interface where everything is customizable down to the last detail.

There are 12 resume templates available which are all optimized for ATS. You can easily shift between templates when creating your resume.

Jofibo is very easy to use and does not require any technical skills or knowledge to get started. The templates all offer a high level of customization so that you can create documents that match the exact requirements you may have. You can try all features for free but if you want to download your documents, you will need to pay a small fee.

17. Hloom : Best for Resume Templates

Whether you need a modern, creative, or traditional template, Hloom can help job seekers in any industry. This customizable and easy-to-use resume builder can help you create an eye-catching and ATS-friendly resume or CV .

This tool is comprehensive too — you can add fonts or images to amp up your design or use the resume writing tips to improve your resume.

Hloom offers a selection of over 400 professional resume templates. You can edit any template to your specific needs, saving time and effort. This platform also offers cover letter and reference templates to keep your personal branding consistent across your job applications.

HLoom has over 400 templates available, and offers categories to help you find the best template for your needs.

HLoom is a simple and straightforward resume builder that offers a range of templates and tips for resume creation. Like many other tools, users need to pay to get all the benefits of designed templates, as it limits free downloads to Plain Text files.

Building a resume can feel like you're staring at a blank canvas. But with an online resume builder, you can get recommendations and build a beautiful document that will stand out without needing a graphic design degree.

What’s the best resume builder?

The best resume builder for you will vary depending on your needs.

If you prefer a tool that guides you through the process of creating a resume, we recommend using a builder that provides tips and suggestions. If you prefer a resume builder that automatically creates a resume, we recommend a tool that pulls information from LinkedIn. If you prefer having creative freedom when building your resume, we recommend using a tool that includes customization options.

Choose the resume builder that meets your needs and fits your industry and personal style, and you’ll be well on your way to earning a second look from hiring managers.

Editor's note: This post was originally published in March 2019 and was updated for comprehensiveness. 

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15 Best Online Resume Builders in 2024

Crafting a well-structured and detailed resume piece-by-piece can be hard.

If you’re using Microsoft Word, it takes time to get everything right and then editing a single section of the resume usually messes everything up.

That’s no good.

Luckily, you can just use a resume builder.

With a solid resume builder, you don’t have to invest your sweat , blood , and tears into crafting your resume. All you have to do is sign up, and the software does all the resume formatting for you.

And on top of that, you’ll be using a tried-and-tested resume template. This guarantees that you’ll present yourself in the best way possible.

But there are a ton of online resume builders out there - so, which one do you use?

In this guide, we’re going to be covering 15 of the best online resume builders on the market and give our thoughts on each.

15 Online Resume Builders Reviewed

Most resume builders have something unique to offer.

It’s hard to pick the perfect one , because well, perfection doesn’t really exist.

That’s right.

The resume builder you choose will most likely depend on what you’re looking for.

This is why we’re going to be covering some of the online resume builders by the following criteria:

• Premium features
• # of resume templates available
• Cover letter builder availability
• Pros and cons

Now, let’s dive into the huge world of online resume builders, starting with:

Yes, that’s us.

Are we biased?

Maybe a little.

But hear us out - Novorésumé is awesome.

Creating a professional resume and cover letter has never been so easy. 

Our templates were designed to represent your skills and work experience in the best way possible. 

Using one of Novorésumé’s flexible resume templates , you can adjust , edit , and customize your resume based on the position or company you’re applying to.

Applying for a job in the creative industry?

Maybe you want to be a marketer or work in advertising.

Pick one of the more creative templates and stand out from the rest of the candidates!

Or, on the other hand, maybe you’re applying for a job in finance .

In that case, you can try one of our more traditional resume templates.

Whatever type of job you’re applying for, Novorésumé has the right template for you.

And speaking of resume templates, our templates are ATS-friendly (resume screening software that HR managers love to use). Meaning, if you have the right experience listed, you’re sure to get past the automatic software screening process.

Don't trust us? Check out what people have to say on Trustpilot :

Not sure how to build a resume?

To put the icing on the cake, our resume builder also comes with a smart content optimizer that will analyze your progress and give you quality suggestions on how to improve each section.

That’s a lot of features.

So, how much does it cost? 

Let’s take a look:

Unlike other online resume builders, Novorésumé is very transparent about which of its services are included in the free version. When editing your resume, the premium features are marked with a star. If you choose one of these, a box will pop up to inform you that you’ll have to upgrade to premium in order to download your resume. This is extremely useful and helps you easily decide if upgrading is worth the cost.

• Freemium : available
• 1 Month Premium: $ 19.99
• 3 Months Premium: $39.99
• 12 Months Premium: $99.99

Unlike other similar companies, Novorésumé’s pricing isn’t subscription based. That means that after the month you paid for is over, you won’t be auto-charged for another month.

Premium Features

• Up to 3 pages of a resume/CV
• Cover letter builder
• Custom layout
• Multiple resume versions
• Specialized sections, and more

# Of Resume Templates Available

• Free Templates Available: 8
• Paid Templates Available: 0

Cover Letter Builder

Available only for the premium version

• A lot of professional templates to get you started
• Creative resume templates that are guaranteed to stand out
• Plenty of features and choices with the free version (that you’d have to pay for with other resume builders)
• ATS-friendly resume templates that won’t get lost in the software screening process
• Live smart feedback to improve your resume in case you missed something
• A lot of free resources and guides on how to polish your resume
• Transparent pricing model and no automatic renewal
• Going over one page of your resume and some other premium options cost extra

CVMaker is a barebones approach to resume making and allows you to create resumes effortlessly with a super simple interface.

Though most of their templates are minimalistic by nature, you can still customize the sections and the design on your own.

CVMaker includes up to 37 languages and you can create a printable resume in a matter of minutes.

The customization of the tool doesn’t have a lot going for it, but you can always add a custom section on your own.

Once done, you can then import your resume into a PDF, HTML, and TXT documents.

• Freemium: available
• Premium: $16/year
• Premium themes
• Special sections
• Rich text editing

# of Resume Templates Available

Unavailable.

• Simple to use and get into
• Easy to upload/edit resumes
• Minimalistic approach to an online text-based resume maker
• Not a lot of customization with the templates within the sections and design
• No resources or tips on how to make your resume better

Enhancv gives you a total of 4 different resume builder templates you can choose from based on your field and job experience.

The tool is fairly simple to use.

You pick from a number of templates and then customize the design based on sections , fonts , colors , layout , and more.

There is little to no learning curve with the tool as you can start creating a resume immediately once you log in.

Once you have a draft resume, you can get instant feedback on your resume through the app’s content analyzer tool.

The final result is that you end up with a professional, yet personal resume with a memorable design.

• 7 days free trial
• Pro Semi-Annual: $ 10.99/m
• Pro Quarterly: $14.99/m
• Pro Monthly: $19.99/m
• Up to 10 resumes and cover letters
• Remove branding on your resume
• Instant tips to fix mistakes
• Pro sections, colors, and backgrounds
• Free Templates Available: 2
• Paid Templates Available: 2

Available only for the premium version.

• Easy to start
• Solid resume design and layout regardless of the profession
• Memorable design and a lot of room for adding and arranging sections
• Feels limited with the freemium options
• Some important resume sections require premium

VisualCV is an online resume builder that you can use to create PDFs resumes for just about any industry.

They have the option to upload your current resume to improve it, and a resources section with all the tips and tricks you’ll need on using VisualCV.

The site has plenty of resume templates depending on your background. Whether you’re a recent graduate , CEO , a freelancer , or anything in between, each of their template has something unique about them.

Whether it be the design, layout, or the structure, you can find one that speaks to you and also manage multiple resumes - depending on where you’re applying.

The website also has all the usual features like exporting and importing your CV, but what really helps them stand out is their resume analytics option.

What this means is that you can share your resume through their website, and keep track of who views or downloads your resume, to avoid getting lost in the hiring process.

• Premium: $12 per month
• Extra resume templates
• Free templates available: 3
• Paid templates available: 15
• Analytics to track your resume performance is a fresh and welcome tool
• Allows you to manage multiple resume versions
• Can get feedback from VisualCV partners or share with friends
• Can edit most resume sections with the free plan
• Only 3 free templates available
• Need the premium option to hide website resume branding
• Freemium resume templates look very similar to each other

CakeResume is an extremely easy-to-use resume builder that starts you off with a generic template that you can then customize by using the site’s drag-and-drop feature.

How does that work?

Essentially, you choose a number of sections you’d like to add to your resume from the sidebar and add them as you please.

This way, you’re in charge of your resume and can build your own layout , based on how you want it to look like.

There are no unnecessary fluff sections and the UI is intuitive so everyone can start building out their layout in a matter of seconds.

If there’s a perfect resume structure that you have in your head and want to get it down on paper, this drag-and-drop approach can help you do that and differentiate yourself from other candidates.

Other than that, the website also has a number of different user-made resume samples, which you can use to discover what good resumes in your field look like.

• Advanced: $7.95/m
• Pro: $15.95/m
• 20+ resume snippets (call-to-action, quotes, video slides, and more)
• Resume tracking via Google Analytics
• Free templates available: 1
• Paid templates available: 0 
• Can edit and customize your resume the way you want to through the drag-and-drop feature
• Can browse through user-made resume templates for inspiration
• A lot of options to edit your resume and make it unique
• Some of the user-made resume samples can be unreliable as a reference. After all, you can never really know how skilled the person is at crafting a resume.
• Can be hard to construct your resume with the drag-and-drop if you don’t know what you’re doing

ResumUP is another interesting take on the online resume builder as it focuses heavily on the visual side of resumes.

More specifically, the website focuses on turning your resume into an infographic .

They have a number of different types of templates and designs, but for the most part, they’re all on the heavy design side .

So, depending on where you’re applying this might be the way to go for you.

For example, if you’re applying to a social media and graphic design job where you’d be making a lot of visual content - turning your resume into an actual infographic can be a quick and easy way to stand out.

The site doesn’t offer a lot of different templates, but from the ones that they do, they’re guaranteed to attract attention.

• Pro profile: $20/m
• Lifetime access: $ 149
• Certain sections (e.g. skills and achievements) require premium
• Extra templates
• Free templates available: 2
• Premium templates available: 11
• Stunning design choices and fancy templates
• Templates available for different industries
• Easy to create and modify despite all the visuals
• Most templates are design-heavy and might be better only for certain jobs
• Can be expensive compared to other resume builders

SlashCV is a really fast way to start creating a resume online as it doesn’t even require you to log in.

To get started, you can simply jump into the builder and already get a sense of what your overall resume will look like.

You can start off by picking one of the available templates.

Or if you’re feeling creative, you can create your own layout using the drag and drop builder.

Unfortunately, the website doesn’t offer a whole lot of customization beyond that. You can’t change the font, background, colors, etc.

As far as basic resume builder sites go - SlashCV is easy to set up and get it going.

• Premium (to host your own resume online on their site): $4.99/year
• Host your resume online
• Paid PDF templates
• Remove watermark
• Free templates available: over 50
• Premium templates available: 0

Unavailable

• Fast, doesn’t require to log in and offers most sections you’ll need in a resume
• Also has the option to add custom sections 
• Can host your resume online as a PDF
• Not a lot of features beyond basic ones
• A lot of the templates look the same and there is little option to change the color schemes or make any other major edits

MyPerfectResume 

MyPerfectResume starts onboarding you by first asking your field , title , level of expertise , and then allows you to pick from a template based on your answers.

After that, you can either create a new resume or upload your current one to edit on their website.

When it comes to filling in your resume sections , the website holds your hand every step of the way, giving you tips on what to mention. So, it can be very useful for someone that’s a beginner creating their first resume.

They even offer a professional service of having a certified resume writer create a personalized resume and cover letter for you in just 3 days.

• 14 day trial: $ 1.95, then $24.95/m
• Annual: $5.95/m, $71.40/year
• Resume writing and cover letter services cost extra
• Download and save your resume in multiple formats
• Scan your resume for common mistakes
• Free templates available: 12
• Premium templates available: 30+
• Easy to follow and set up as it includes tips and guides each step of the way
• Noticeable color schemes and design layouts that make a difference
• Simple, yet powerful templates to get you started - great for beginners
• Forced to fill in your resume sections step-by-step, without the ability to see how the end-result looks until you’re done with it
• Need to sign up for a subscription to download or print your resume
• A lot of templates but you can’t change the layout

Resume.com is an easy to use and straightforward online resume builder.

Starting from the dashboard, you get the option to select a resume or a cover letter template and start filling in the blanks.

The step-by-step process is fairly simple to follow as the website onboarding you asks for all the traditional information like your name, contact information, and so on.

Alternatively, you can upload your current resume to edit on their website or choose a sample resume to start with.

If you select to create one, the site walks you through the process of creating a resume by asking you questions on each section. Once you’re down, it creates a resume based on your answers.

From there, you can edit and rearrange sections as you wish, and also change the following styling options:

With the cover letter , you also get a lot of options, based on your industry and career expertise .

• Not Available
• Free templates available : 24
• Completely free to use
• The resume builder is functional and extremely easy to follow
• 200+ cover letter examples and samples, depending on the industry
• Though there’s a lot of resume templates to choose from, a lot of them look very similar and common. Meaning, it’s going to be very unlikely for your resume to stand out

KickResume helps you get noticed and hired faster.

They offer all the usual stuff - resume templates, cover letters, different designs and layouts , and also the ability to turn your resume into a living, breathing, website .

Through KickResume, you can turn your resume into a personalized, one-click website.

This way, you can take your resume online, include more sections about you and let your future employers learn more about you by simply Googling your name.

• Premium: $8/m
• Grammar Correction: $29 per resume
• Unlimited number of resumes and cover letters
• 20,000+ pre-written phrases you can use in your resume
• Real resume examples
• Email and live chat support
• Free templates available: 4
• 2 templates available for the free version
• 20+ templates for the premium option
• A lot of strong features, resume and cover letter templates available for the freemium version
• Pre-written phrases to help you out in case you’re not sure how to phrase your achievements
• Grammar correction proofreading services available, if needed
• Most templates are creative and sometimes too vibrant - can be a bad thing depending on where you’re applying
• Can be hard to turn your resume into a website, if you don’t know what you’re doing

Vizualize is another heavy visuals-based approach at an online resume builder.

You have two ways to create a resume with Vizualize:

• Export your LinkedIn profile and creative a Vizualize resume automatically
• Sign-up with your email and input your information manually

Then, the software automatically turns your resume into a timeline spaced over a certain timeframe. 

It’s important to note that you should only ever take this approach if you’re sure it’s relevant to your job.

For example, if you’re applying for any company with ATS, you probably won’t pass with this.

Instead, you should only ever use this if you know for a fact that the HR will read your resume manually.

And even then, you should really be sure that they’ll appreciate an infographic resume.

For now, Visualize is still in beta, so here’s what that includes:

• Templates available: 6
• Easy to set up and convert your LinkedIn profile into an infographic
• A lot of options to change the resume styles (colors, font background, etc.)
• Still in beta
• Using an infographic resume might really backfire on your (it’s not standard)

Resumonk is a very straightforward approach to creating beautiful and professional resumes online.

The website has a number of different templates, depending on the occasion, that help you stand out from other candidates to get the call back for the interview.

You can move the sections around as you see fit and modify quite a bit, even with the free plan .

Resumonk doesn’t require you to sign up, and you can start messing with the layout to get a feel of the tool within seconds.

Though, to gain control of some of the more powerful features and options - you really need the premium plan.

• Premium plan: $29/year
• Forever plan (one-time payment): $89
• Cover letter
• Additional fonts and color options
• Custom URL to host your resume online
• Track analytics for your resume
• Freemium templates available: 4
• Premium templates available: 17
• Easy to jump into creating and modifying your resume
• Can download as PDF or host online (if premium)
• Clunky interface
• Need premium for a lot of basic features (e.g. changing colors, removing branding logo, etc.)

ResumeGenius

ResumeGenius is a clean online resume builder that wastes no time in letting you customize your resume.

You start by choosing a resume template ( Word or PDF ), then answer a few questions about your background (work experience, education, etc.). 

The builder is a bit misleading though - they make you fill in everything on your resume, and in the end, they hit you with a paywall - $1.95 for a 14 day period.

If you’re going for this option, make sure to cancel your subscription, or they’re going to start charging you $39.95 at the end of the first 14 days! 

Regardless of your work experience, the software was designed to generate a complete resume for every kind of job seeker.

Throughout the process of creating a resume, the website helps you format it in detail and gives you tips and tricks along the way..

For each section of your resume, ResumeGenius helps you think of what you should write where and how to format it accordingly.

Finally, if needed, they also have a “ask an expert” option for the pro plan, in which a professional resume expert will go over your resume, and review it for accuracy and clarity.

• 14 day access: $ 1.95, then $39.95/m
• Annual payment: $95.40/year
• Unlimited resumes, cover letters, and downloads
• Resume critique and feedback from an expert
• Track your resume analytics
• Freemium templates available: 0
• Paid templates available: 17
• Straightforward, easy to work with resume builder
• Resume templates look and feel unique, and there are a lot of options depending on where you’re applying
• No freemium option
• Expensive compared to other options (after the 14 day access)
• Can’t edit certain resume layout details (e.g.month formatting), and this can lead to inconsistency

Resume-now uses a tried-and-tested resume templates to help you land your dream job twice as fast.

You can choose between regular templates, or pick ones created for specific fields and industries.

You choose a template and fill in the information about your background manually, but beyond that - you’re on your own.

This resume builder doesn’t come with a content optimizer, so if you’re new to resumes, it might be a bit hard.

• 14 day trial: $ 1.95, then $39.90/m
• Premium plan: $39.90/m
• Access to all format downloads (PDF, MS Word, Plain text)
• Multiple versions of resume and cover letter
• Salary calculator
• Premium templates available: 15
• Can freely rearrange resume sections
• Pre-written text available for resume and cover letter, depending on the job role
• Not a lot of resources and tips as you create the resume
• Expensive compared to other options after the trial
• Assumes you already know how to structure and format resume details

GotResumeBuilder

GotResumeBuilder is a free online resume builder that has a little bit of everything for everyone.

At first, it looks like an extremely straightforward resume builder, with each resume section set up as tabs which you can modify as you move through the resume.

But once you get into the details of the resume builder, you can see where exactly it shines.

Once you start filling out your resume sections, the site starts giving you suggestions based on the keywords used.

If you’re not sure what to write, this is an extremely intuitive way to phrase your job descriptions.

Other than that, you can also manage multiple resumes , organize and rearrange your resume sections, and manage multiple formats .

With each section, you also get a real-time guide and hints on what to include and how.

For a free online resume builder, you’re getting a lot of features and options.

• Free templates available: 6
• A lot of detailed tips and how-tos for each section for a free resume builder
• Can download resume as PDF, Word, ODT, Text, or email it from site
• Extremely intuitive and simple - ideal for students and entry-level jobs
• Very basic templates
• Little customization in terms of color and design
• Not a lot of features for advanced job seekers with experience

Key Takeaways

There are a lot of online resume builders out there.

Realistically, all of them can get the job done. Whichever one you end up using, you’ll end up with a functional resume at the end of the day.

Picking the right resume builder and the right resume template, though, can have a huge impact on whether you get hired or not.

So, to help you pick, consider the following points:

• Is it affordable ? 
• Does it have a fitting design and all the features you need (e.g cover letter, template customization, etc.)?
• Does it come with a content analyzer to help you fill in your resume?
• Does the resume builder come with a range of different template options?
• Is the resume template you’re going for the right one for your field?

If you’re not sure and need further guidance on how to build your resume, be sure to check out our career blog for more practical and actionable advice 

Suggested readings:

• How to Write a Resume & Land That Job [21+ Examples]
• What to Put on a Resume [7+ Job-Winning Sections]
• How to Write a Cover Letter & Get the Job [5+ Real-Life Examples]

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