Writing a resume is tedious and very time consuming – hence why online resume builders were developed: with their help you just have to type in the necessary texts to their respective text boxes, arrange the sections, choose a template and the software will do the rest for you.
Unfortunately, though, this software is never free: without a paid subscription they either allow you to create a limited amount of documents only, or they block the most important features like printing/downloading/sharing/sending your resumes and cover letters. However, you can still use this software for free and in this guide you will find more information on how to do that:
You can select a free resume builder, go for the risk-free trials of premium (unlimited) software or you can simply search for free resume and cover letter templates either on the internet or on the resume builders’ websites.
Forever Free Resume Builders
The best option out of all you can choose from to use a resume builder for free is a by using a resume builder service that offers a free plan. There are plenty of companies offering this option and if you are ok with certain limitations – which can be unblocked if you go premium – and/or you just need the resume builder’s services once or a few times, the free pricing plan is definitely a good choice for you.
The only thing you have to do is register on the company’s website and you already have an account. There you can start drafting your resumes without limitations – as none of the companies hinder you from creating resumes. Furthermore, many of the resume builders allow you to import existing documents to your dashboard and sometimes you can create as many resumes as you want. Most of the time (regular) support options are not limited either: you can still use the hints and tips or the pre-written phrases (if there are any), read the blog articles, and get in touch with the staff.
Problems start when you want to create more documents or download them. The better case is when you cannot create unlimited resumes; more annoying is the limitation of the print/download/share/send features, which is very likely with free plans. Furthermore, you have to tolerate that you can create limited cover letters or none at all, your documents will be branded, there are limited templates, font faces and colors, and you cannot track resumes.
Best Resume Builders of 2024
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Speedy Resume
This UK-based resume builder is an optimal choice if you want to create resumes for free as it limits few things only. In Speedy Resume the number of free templates, fonts and font colors is only 1, which can be increased if you subscribe to the Pro pricing plan by either choosing the monthly or the annual subscription – both of which are 50% off during the first payment term. However, the free version of the software is also perfectly enough: you can create unlimited resumes with their respective cover letters, get hints and tips in each section, print or download your documents in PDF, see who has viewed your resume’s online version, and search for jobs on the job board. Furthermore, you can still get access to the knowledge base, the 24/7 live chat support, the extra eBooks, and the blog of Speedy Resume.
Resumonk
Resumonk, which you can use from tablet browsers as well, is also a good choice for job seekers looking for free resume builders. The software utilizes a straightforward document editor to which you can import your LinkedIn data too if you don’t want to start from scratch. You can have 10 sections in total in a resume and you can insert tables or even links thereto – which comes in very handy if you make your resume public, thus searchable. And if you need help, you can turn to the FAQ, the knowledge base and Resumonk’s blog.
However, as a free user you cannot use all 17 templates, change the font face and color, your number of resumes is limited, cover letters are not an option, you cannot download in DOCX, have a custom URL to your online resume, see the analytics of your visitors, and get priority support. To unblock these you have to choose the Premium or Lifetime plans.
Free or Risk-Free Trials for Online Resume Builders
During our research we have encountered an interesting and questionable pricing policy: resume builders don’t like free trials, therefore they either provide free plans with certain limitations or they offer you trials for money. Companies that do offer a free version of their software make it so limited you have no choice but to subscribe to have a useable resume. We consider this method anything but user-friendly, plus it feels like a desperate attempt to get more customers.
That doesn’t mean you cannot take advantage of the paid trials, though. In fact, these trials, which usually last for 14 days, are all risk-free, and if you cancel your subscription within the duration of the trial, you get your money back. This way, you can get to know the chosen software better and you can try out every single feature thereof, like printing/downloading/sharing/sending your documents, resume checkers, complete customer support, various templates, fonts, cover letters etc. without limitations.
Although the free versions of resume builders can be used forever without paying a dime, a risk-free trial is a better choice for those who are planning to subscribe to a premium pricing plan or they want to create only a few resumes and don’t need the software anymore once they are done. In the latter case, however, always cancel your subscription before the end of the trial. Because if you fail to do so, your subscription will be renewed on a monthly base and you might end up paying a fortune for something you don’t need.
ResumeBuilder.org
This online resume builder has a 48-hour money back guarantee instead of a paid trial: if you are not satisfied, cancel your subscription and you will get a full refund.
But why should you? ResumeBuilder.org is user-friendly, simple software with which you can create unlimited resumes and cover letters if you have a subscription. You can add more than 30 sections to your documents which can be arranged in any way you want, you get hints and tips and, in some cases, pre-written phrases. The completion of your documents is indicated by a progress bar and if they’re ready you can download, print, share or send them. You also have the option to create a Web Resume, which is the hosted version of your documents, meaning that anyone in the possession of a link can view your resume and even contact you.
Resume Companion
This resume builder, on the other hand, offers its customers a paid, 14-day long trial with a money back guarantee. However, the cost of this trial is insignificant and it gives you a perfect insight to the software.
In Resume Companion you can create unlimited CVs with 13 customizable sections and unlimited cover letters that can be downloaded in as an Adobe Reader, Word or Notepad document, but it can also be emailed, printed, or even sent to an expert for evaluation. You are even luckier with cover letters, because not only you can choose from over 40 of them, but they are completely written; you just need to insert the relevant phrases and your document is ready. Furthermore, templates can be downloaded in a ZIP file, so you can save them for future use. Resume Companion uses a job search engine as well, but it also provides a blog, writing tips, samples and paid writing services.
Free Resume Templates
Although our site is about online resume builders and we highly recommend the use thereof, you can still continue using your trusted word processor. In that case, however, you have to do everything by yourself; from editing to section arrangements and converting your documents to PDF. But that doesn’t mean you are forced to build a resume from nothing: all you need to do is search for sample resumes, or better yet, templates in Google and you have plenty of hits with pages full of templates you can save to your hard drive to use them as bases for your own resumes and cover letters.
Sample Resume with Word Template
Sample Resume with Hloom Template
You are especially lucky if you prefer MS Office software, because Microsoft has 13 resume and cover letter templates on its Office website. In fact, if you have a Microsoft account, you can immediately start using the chosen template with Office Online. Another great solution is Hloom, a website dedicated to free templates of all kinds: invoices, flyers, memos, certificates and, naturally, resumes. In fact, there are 283 templates in total arranged by format and by job fields. The templates are in DOC or DOCX format, so you can open them without problem with MS Office 2007 and up.
And last, but not least, let’s talk about templates you can find on resume builder websites. As we mentioned before, certain software, like Resume Companion, do not force you to become their subscriber; instead they allow you to download its templates without registration.
Best Resume Builders of 2024
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