A few weeks ago my brother Max sent me his résumé in a text message and asked me to spice it up a bit.
No doubt I had to do more than copy and paste the text into a Word document. To really stand out, I knew that the resume requires a certain level of professionalism and effort – something that content alone cannot always convey.
Fortunately, with the help of Zety, within 20 minutes I was able to fill in Max’s résumé information, choose a template, and let Zety design the piece for me:
Looks a little better than texting doesn’t it?
Resume builders are incredibly helpful in creating a resume and can help you showcase your unique personality. Best of all, they look a lot sleeker than anything you can design in a Google Doc.
To ensure that you can create a free resume, we have compiled this list of the best free resume creators that we have discovered. Read on, then get to work designing your own – trust me, with these tools it is nearly as easy as sending a text.
Best Free Resume Builders That You Can Use Online
- Continue genius
- My perfect résumé
- Standard resume
- Canva
- Indeed
- Zety
- Resume.com
Selected resource: HubSpot resume templates
Download these free templates and fill in your experience and information for a custom, well-designed resume.
1. Continue Genius
Resume Genius is hands down one of the easiest and fastest free resume tools available to you. With a clear and user-friendly interface, the tool guides you (quickly) through categories such as education, work experience and references and offers eight different templates that vary from “Taj Mahal” to “Classic”. Resume Genius gives you an easy way to fill in the blank sections so you can have a stunning, comprehensive resume built in no time.
2. My perfect resume
With My Perfect Resume, you can either start from scratch and fill in information into a blank template, or upload an existing resume if you already have one. In addition, the tool gives you expert advice as you move through the process, including suggested phrases to include for specific roles.
My Perfect Resume also allows you to include optional sections such as Certifications, Achievements, and Affiliations. This is especially important if you’re just starting out or changing industries. This tool is especially useful when you are applying for a creative role and want to add color or a unique design to your resume.
To use My Perfect Resume for free, click “Download” on the left toolbar once you reach the final step of the builder – instead of selecting “Save and Continue”. Then select “Plain Text (.txt)” to download your CV for free.
3. Standard resume
With Standard Resume, you can import your information directly from LinkedIn. This is an ideal time indulgence when your LinkedIn profile is up to date. Thanks to the white background and minimalist features, you can focus on what is really important – your content. You can toggle between “Write” and “Draft” to see what your resume looks like, and download it as a PDF when you’re done. Best of all, the tool also makes your resume mobile, so you can view it on your smartphone.
4. Canva
If you’re applying for a creative role or want a resume that really sets you apart, you can use one of Canva’s hundreds of free designer-created templates. Canva’s choices are incredibly diverse and unique, so there’s no doubt you’ll find one you like, and entering resume sections can be as easy as copying and pasting. In addition, the templates are divided into categories such as Graphic Design, Business, and Creative to make it easy to choose based on your preferred industry.
5. Indeed
Creating an Indeed résumé is an incredibly quick process. Best of all, the site has the ability to automatically share your resume with employers on Indeed once you’re done. Still, if you have already completed a resume, it is a good idea to upload it to the website so you can contact potential employers. While it doesn’t offer as many opportunities for creativity as some of the others on this list, it is a formidable option indeed if you want to create a more traditional resume and start sharing right away.
6. Zety
Zety is an excellent online resume maker because of the state-of-the-art templates. You can easily start over and fill in your information. My favorite element of this tool is that the site walks you through the process. All you have to do is fill in the information and then voila – you have a resume. While this tool is free, you will need to create an online account.
To use Zety for free, once you have reached the final step of the builder click on “Download” in the left toolbar – instead of selecting “Save and Continue”. Then select “Plain Text (.txt)” to download your CV for free.
7. Resume.com
With Resume.com, you can create a beautiful resume in minutes. This tool is a great option if you are looking for recommendations on what to include on your resume. In addition, the website has popular templates for different job categories that can help you stand out from the competition.
If you are in the final stage, you will see a pop-up that says “Create Account”. Instead, just click “Skip”. Then you can click the download button at the top right.
Creating a resume can feel like you’re staring at a blank canvas. However, using an online resume maker can help you get referrals and create a beautiful document that will stand out from others without the need for a graphic design degree.
Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in March 2019 and has been updated for completeness.