Best CV builders of 2020

While looking for a job, besides having a convincing cover letter, the preparation of an eye-catching CV is one of the first and fundamental steps to succeed. Recruiters spend a few seconds per CV, hence the layout must be clear and information easy to be acquired. In order to simplify the job, there are plenty of resume builders online which can help you. Choosing the right template to let the recruiters know you are the right candidate is not always easy and it depends on the industry and the career level, but being able to visualize the final result might help you to choose the most appropriate one. Every resume builder offers different templates and you will be helped in realizing a resume which represents you and your aspirations at the best. 

We researched the best online platforms which are proven to be valid support during the job search and brings you closer to the next phase of the recruiting process, the phone / face-to-face interview. Here the list with pros and cons for every service, to help you choose wisely!

VisualCV 

The free version allows you to use a limited number of templates (more than 8,000 available for the premium option!), but it is possible to download the PDF (with VisualCV watermark) of your resume without an upgrade. The font can be customized based on your wishes and it is also possible to reformat an old resume without having to write it all over again. The platform is user friendly and it is also possible to check some analytics. 

PROS: Free download | Customizable 

CONS: Reduced number of free options and tool | Watermark on the free download

Canva

Canva is a design service which can be easily used also by beginners. Like many others it is a freemium platform, basic options are available for free while you will have to pay for more complex designs. Templates are very creative and infographic and all of them are fully customizable. 

PROS: Easy to use | Creative designs

CONS: Most of the templates are not professional

Zety 

This resume builder is handy and simple to use, but it is not going to be possible to download your cv without a subscription. The templates are professional and rather traditional, which could work perfectly for industry such as law and banking. The platform will also offer you some advice about what it is best to include and the cv will be checked and reviewed by experts.  

PROS: Professional layouts | Insights and review of content 

CONS: Subscription to download the PDF

Resume.com 

Resume.com offers templates organized by professional fields. The templates are rather basic and repetitive, but it might be a good choice for those who don’t want to have a colorful and infographic cv. The look is professional and their database uses data from the job recruitment platform indeed, hence it is quite accurate. The tool is completely free. 

PROS: Completely free | Organized by industry and experience level

CONS: Repetitive templates

ResumUP

ResumUP is a reliable tool for infographic and interactive resumes. Their templates are highly visual with out-of-the-box designs. The free version unfortunately just allows the download in TXT format and the monthly subscription is quite expensive. 

PROS: Innovative layouts 

CONS: Download possible just with a monthly subscription

ResumeHelp

This platform will help you to realize an outstanding cv while offering you different insights about how to make it appealing. There is plenty of pre-written content (in case you are running out of ideas) and even if the templates are basic, there is a wide choice to differentiate. Even if the platform seems to be free, at the end of the process, when you have completed all the sections, you are going to be asked to log in and to subscribe in order to download your file as a PDF. 

PROS: Hints and insight about job search | Pre-written content 

CONS: Paid service

Kickresume 

Kickresume is a young and fresh tool to prepare your resume. The freemium option has just some basic templates and options, but it will be possible to download your cv as PDF. The best feature is the possibility to import your cv directly from your LinkedIn profile. 

PROS: Importing CV from Linkedin

CONS: Free version has limited option

Federica Viviani, Marketing Associate