Creating a CV: 5 free online tools that simplify the process

Articles for candidates

Creating a CV or a cover letter is like putting together the puzzle of your working life, where every piece must fit exactly into place.

A potential employer should know who you are, what skills you have, and what your experience is simply by looking at your CV or cover letter. The document is crucial for your application, but it doesn’t have to be complicated.

There are various online tools that promise to make the process easier and faster – and there is some truth to that. In this post, we will explore five of these tools and the benefits of using them to create your CV or cover letter. The best part is that these tools are free to use.

Why should you use an online CV/cover letter maker?

You will need to update the document frequently, as it is necessary to tailor your CV/cover letter specifically to the job you are applying for.

Thinking about every application is tiring, and you may not have enough time to dedicate to a single application if you are applying for multiple jobs. Therefore, you should invest in learning about tools that simplify everything.

Important points to remember about online CV/cover letter builders

Before we list our recommendations, there are a few things to remember about online CV/cover letter tools:

  • Most of these tools produce a PDF version of your CV. Don’t get me wrong, PDFs are like the reliable little black dress of the document world – they work for almost every occasion. But if you are applying for a specific job and need to edit parts of your CV, editing that PDF becomes a problem.

     

  • Most online CV/cover letter builders do not directly add LinkedIn to their processes, even though the platform is the professional space of today. You may have to find a way to add it yourself.
    The ability to move sections is also important. A template tool where the education section is at the top is wrong for someone with more work experience. It becomes a problem if you cannot move the work experience section so that employers see it first.
    Keep this in mind to ensure you do not have problems later when sending applications.

Now let’s take a look at the 5 free online CV/cover letter builders that we recommend:

1. NovoResume

The internet is full of websites for creating CVs. It is important to have top CV reviews that provide an unbiased view of the quality of the service and customer satisfaction with the process. Here are our thoughts on using the Novoresume builder.

Advantages

  • The user experience on this site is direct. Every function is easy to find and use.
  • The size of the input fields ensures that your CV is ATS-friendly.
  • As a user, the tool provides you with tips and examples for creating your CV or cover letter.

Disadvantages

  • You can only download your CV/cover letter as a PDF.
  • Many of the available features are only accessible in the premium version.

2. Resumebuilder.com

This tool offers a quick and easy way to create your professional CV/cover letter with over 30 templates. It also has AI-powered features that customize your CV for ATS.

Advantages

  • The user interface and navigation are easy to use.
  • You can download the CV/cover letter you create directly without registering on the site first.

Disadvantages

  • Resumebuilder.com only allows you to download your document in PDF format.
  • The templates are not very modern. One example allows you to insert hobbies in the format. This is not necessary nowadays on a standard CV or cover letter.
  • It is impossible to move the sections as desired.

3. Resume.com

Create a professional CV in which you showcase your best skills to increase your chances of landing your next job. Rest assured that the templates available on Resume.com are of the highest quality and are based on what employers look for in candidates.

Advantages

  • Resume.com gives you tips and examples while you fill in the details.
  • There are various templates to choose from.
  • You can easily edit and move sections.
  • You can add a custom section if you want.
  • The CV/cover letter you create can be downloaded as a PDF or TXT.

Disadvantages

  • Users must log in before they can download the CV/cover letter they have created.

4. Resumebuilder.Indeed

You don’t have to create your CV from scratch. Indeed uses its access to various CV/cover letter templates to create templates that have the same format as successful applications.

Advantages

  • The templates are highly customizable. You can change the styles/themes, fonts, and colors.
  • It allows you to include and move many sections.
  • You can enlarge your template without re-entering your information.
  • The CV can be downloaded directly without having to register first.

Disadvantages

  • There is no option to include your LinkedIn profile URL in your contact information.

5. Canva.com

Canva is primarily intended for creating flyers and posters using templates. But you can also use it for CVs and cover letters.

Advantages

  • Canva has a wide variety of artistic templates for you.
  • It is easy to customize, allowing you to rearrange sections and change fonts, colors, and styles.

Disadvantages

  • It offers the option to add images, which is not recommended for a modern CV or cover letter.
  • It requires more editing skills compared to other CV builders.
  • The templates are too artistic for creating a CV/cover letter for a very formal job.

Conclusion

Finally, remember that choosing the right tool is like choosing the perfect ingredients for a delicious meal – it all comes down to personal taste and the type of application.

Learn more about the job you are applying for and use these recommendations to create a specialized CV/cover letter at no cost. Tell your professional story and good luck with your job search!