Resume Tips and Mistakes to Avoid
- Use a professional-looking Gmail address, or even better if you can get a personal domain email address.
- Most big companies use ATS (short for application tracking system) to organize and track your resume, make sure you use standard PDF resume where the text can be scan by OCR reader rather than an image resume. Also, it’s recommended to use the keywords mentioned in the job listing, in your resume.
- Try to read it in 10 seconds and see what you take away from it. That’s probably the maximum time an employer will look at your resume. Use a single-page resume unless you have 10+ years of experience and keep it clean, easy to read. Also Read: 8 Best Pomodoro Timer for Windows to Boost Your Productivity
Best Free Resume Builder Apps
1. VisualCV Resume Builder
It’s a neat concept where you can create your resume and then export or share it as a PDF file. They choose the name visual in the name because the resumes look good. There are options to use sidebars, insert graphics, line bars, and sections. One cool feature is the ability to import data from LinkedIn. After all, don’t we all have a profile there?
VisualCV comes with a lot of templates and design options, but don’t get too crazy with it. Keep the resume easy to scan and clutter-free. There are no ads and neither are there any in-app purchases. Maybe in the future. For now, have fun building your next resume. Pros:
Import from LinkedIn, other formats Share and upload back Track views, other stats Share with friends, peers for feedback Templates designs for different professions Cross-platform
Cons:
None
Download VisualCV Resume Builder: Android | iOS
2. Resume Builder by Nobody
Resume Builder by Nobody comes with 25 templates to choose from. There are two features that you should look out for. One is assisted prompt that will help you write a better resume. It works by scanning your resume and asking you to include important information and sections. The second feature is AR View where you can view your resume and how it will look in the real world. AR View only works on iPad though. Shame.
You can make 3 resumes for free in the free version which should be enough for most users. Pay $14.99 to upgrade to the pro version which will also unlock more templates, adding photo, cover letter, and colors. Pros:
AR Mode Assisted writing Templates, designs Export in PDF
Cons:
Not cross-platform
Download Resume Builder by Nobody: iOS Also Read: Best Applicant Tracking Systems for Small Businesses
3. Resume Builder App
One of the better resume builder apps for Android smartphones which allows you to share your resume with friends for feedback. However, they don’t have an active community like VisualCV we discussed above. You can build multiple profiles with more than one resumes.
There over well over 100 templates to choose from and some of them are really cool. I am sure there is something for everyone here. Plus, it works offline. Just fill-in all the fields and your CV will be built automatically. Resume Builder App is free and ad-supported. Pros:
Templates Works offline Share with friends Export in PDF
Cons:
Not cross-platform
Download Resume Builder App: Android
4. Resume Builder App
I am getting tired of good apps choosing to use generic names and search phrases instead of going for brand names. Either way, the resume maker app is really good for creating your CV (Curriculum Vitae). The basic premise remains more or less the same. You choose a template and begin filling out information to build your resume.
One additional feature is the option to add logos of your previous companies. Makes the resume looks really good, but may not be a good idea for all fields. The free version is ad-supported and PDF file will be watermarked. If you like what you see, upgrade to remove both for $4.99. Pros:
Templates Add company logo Export as PDF Easy to use Cross-platform
Cons:
Not great UI
Download Resume Builder App: Android | iOS
5. Resume Star
One of the most popular resume builder apps for iOS users, Resume star makes the process of creating a resume dead easy and simple. They say that the template has been tested for positive results, and avoid formats and colors that may send the wrong signal. Well, don’t know about that but I like the way it looks.
In fact, they are so confident in their app that they are giving it away for free. No ads or purchases. You can pay, if you want, only when you get the interview call. That’s unheard of in the app industry and certainly a first. Oh, and they use a font that looks the same on both Windows and macOS. Several fonts look different. Download Resume Star: iOS
6. CV Engineer
The last but not the least, CV engineer is a resume builder app that available on Play Store and App Store. One of the newer players in the market, it has quickly gained a reputation among fans. It not only comes with a CV builder but also several examples and useful advice on how to create one.
In fact, there are helpful tips on filling each and every section of the resume. That’s a detailed approach. Then there are some common interview questions and how to answer them. The app is rather easy to use and works really fast. There are no ads in the app but the pro version will cost you $3.99. Download CV Engineer: Android | iOS
7. FlowCV
FlowCV is not a smartphone app, rather a web app that works fine on your smartphone as long as you have an Internet connection. It has pretty much all the features like adding photos, PDF resumes, free templates etc, like you, get in previous resume builder app. On top of that it offers more of WYSIWYG (what you see is what you get) approach when it comes to building a resume. Pros:
21 Free Templates WYSISYG editor Export as PDF Share their resume via the link
Cons:
Web app Requires Internet
Check out FlowCV (Web)
Resume Builder Apps
There are quite a few varieties in this category and recommending one can be difficult. Most users won’t go wrong with VisualCV Resume Builder. An easy to use and powerful app. Other ones that I would recommend are Resume Star for iOS and Resume Builder app for Android users. Of course, depending on your profession and how you are looking to present yourself, you may go for another.
