If you're looking for a software tool that will help you create a resume, you'll be glad to know there are several free programs available to assist you in doing just that. Check out a few of the top resume building programs with fully functional free versions and decide which one might best meet your needs.
CV Maker Free Version
Uptowork and Jobscan list CV Maker among their top choices for no-cost resume builder programs. The free version offers alot of functionality and flexibility. Lifehacker describes it as a great resource for creating "beautiful, professional-looking resumes online in minutes." You can get started without even setting up an account, but you will need to register for an account to save your resume so you can return to it later.
Advantages
Key advantages of CV Maker free version include:
- The interface is user-friendly with numerous options for text editing.
- You can move sections around or add sections as needed.
- You can download your resume in several formats, including PDF, TXT, and HTML files.
- Free hosting is provided, so you can easily make your resume available online.
Drawbacks
The site's limitations include:
- There are only a few templates available.
- There isn't a built-in preview feature.
- The templates in the free version are branded. You'll need to upgrade to premium to remove the branding.
Ladders Resume Builder
Both Jobscan and The Windows Club both recommend the resume builder provided by Ladders, which is primarily a job search site for high-level jobs. You'll need to register for a free account on the site before you can start creating your resume. Doing so requires contact details and information about what kind of job and pay you hope to find.
Advantages
Key pros associated with this resume writing tool include:
- The interface within the resume builder tool is simple to use. It's very intuitive and uncomplicated.
- The templates available to users are clean-looking and convey an appropriate professional image.
- BusinessInsider points out that the site offers tips and suggestions as you are entering information.
- You can print or download a PDF version of your resume once it has been created.
- It's easy to edit your resume within the program, so you can make changes any time you want without having to start from scratch.
- Once you create your resume, you can use it within Ladders to apply for jobs.
Drawbacks
A few limitations to consider include:
- Resumes can be downloaded only as PDF files. This means you can't pull your resume directly into a word processing program for editing. Instead, you'll either need to edit within the site or convert the PDF to an easily editable document.
- There isn't a large selection of templates available to choose from. The ones there are good, but there are only a few available.
Slash CV
Slash CV is recommended as one of the best free resume building programs by CareerCloud, as well as by both Uptowork and Jobscan. It's very quick and easy to use. As Uptowork points out, it doesn't have "bells and whistles," but provides exactly what you need to create and download a resume. You can get started without registering, but you'll need to enter your email address to save and return to your resume, as well as to access the various templates.
Advantages
This program offers a number of key benefits:
- The interface is a basic fill-in form that is very easy to use.
- There is a nice selection of pre-formatted templates.
- You can save your completed resume to your Dropbox account, which means you'll have easy access to it at any time.
Drawbacks
Limitations of this option include:
- As with Ladders, you can only save your resume as a PDF file. So, editing the downloaded file will require converting it to a PDF.
- The templates aren't fully customizable. For example, you can't create multiple columns, which is often the preferred way to list skills on a resume. Instead, your skills will have to be displayed in a single column.
Start Building Your Resume
The online resume builders featured here are all free to use. While premium fee-based versions may be available, these free options allow you access to basic resume building features sufficient to create a complete resume. They all allow you to edit your resume and save it as at least one type of file, as well as print it.
