How to create a resume for free and not lose your money?

“I created a resume, left my card number, and then they charged me money!”

Free resume builders – myth or reality? We tell you whether it is possible to create a relevant CV today and not block your card due to hidden subscriptions.

What is a resume builder?

Resume Builder — is an online service that simplifies the procedure of creating a resume. You go to the site, fill out the form, and the system itself typesets the finished document in resume format.

There are many advantages. It really saves time on formatting, design, layout, creating tables, indents, etc. You can immediately create several resume options for several vacancies by choosing different templates, delete and add sections.

The functionality of some resume builders allows you to immediately send a completed resume by email, download it in a convenient format, or generate a link for displaying it online (like on the same HH).

But all these advantages are broken by the main disadvantage – hidden subscriptions. Some services directly state that you will have to pay to create and download a resume.

Others are more cunning: they design their services as a subscription. A person spends time filling out sections of a resume, and then they are simply asked to pay a small amount for the opportunity to view or download the result.

In practice, the user gets a different result – a completed subscription. And every month they are charged money for allegedly using the service. The amount of payment depends on the impudence of the service owner. In some reviews, people write about several thousand rubles.

How it works?

It's all about the license agreement. Who among us reads the entire text of this agreement?

The scheme is as follows: by clicking on the “Create resume” button (it may be called differently), you automatically agree to a paid subscription. Sometimes the service imposes a trial subscription for 2-3 days, after which it is extended on its own.

And the right to charge a subscription fee is spelled out in the license agreement. Some owners of such services, after lengthy email correspondence, agree to return the funds written off. But this requires a lot of personal time. Many simply prefer to cancel the subscription and forget about this unpleasant experience.

The conclusion is simple: you need to take a responsible approach to choosing a resume creation service. And it is advisable to carefully study these very “Terms and conditions”.

There are truly free and honest resume creation services. Let's talk about them.

Free Resume Builders for Resume Creation

You can create a resume online and download a ready-made resume form using special resume builders that offer to create a resume in doc and pdf formats. Applicants and even some HR specialists recommend paying attention to the following services:

1. I WILL (budu.jobs) – try

Not very well-known, but reliable service. A kind of Tinder between employers from the IT and Digital spheres, who are looking for a match with each other. Here is a convenient and intuitive resume builder. On the service, you can create a standard and strict CV without unnecessary frills, you cannot choose a specific template. It is convenient that on one site there is a list of leading companies, they regularly post vacancies that you can immediately respond to.

2. Shablonium (shablonium.online) is the most convenient service, so I recommend – Create resume

A completely free resume builder and career portal with useful information. When filling out sections, the system gives the user hints, you can remove or add sections yourself, choose several types of design. The finished resume is automatically saved in your personal account, from where you can download it in docx or pdf, send it by e-mail. The site also provides detailed instructions on filling out, which will help beginners get their bearings.

3. Zety (zety.com) – go to service

English-language service for creating resumes and cover letters. Not available for Russian users (you can access via VPN). Basic functions are free. Some of them are paid – for example, choosing a personalized resume design. To pay, you need a bank card that works abroad.

How else can I create a resume for free?

To save your time and get a good result, you don’t have to use resume builders.

Another option is templates. This is a blank document that you need to fill in with information about yourself. The same online resume builder, but offline. The templates already have tables, structured sections and fields: all that remains is to enter the data.

Such templates have advantages:

Decor.

A beautiful design is an important part of a resume. Unfortunately, many recruiters look not at the content of the resume, but at its design. And if the applicant has impeccable experience and skills, a faceless questionnaire without graphic elements may not arouse interest. Templates have an attractive design, are filled with infographics, and are structured. In general, they make a good and pleasant impression.

Ease of filling.

Creating a resume comes down to one task – typing. All sections are already prepared, enter your information and do not waste time on creating and thinking about the structure.

Saving time.

Templates save time just like online constructors. Open a ready-made template in a text editor and start filling it out right away.

What you need to know about resume templates?

The ready-made layouts contain all the sections that interest the employer: contacts, personal data, professional skills and personal qualities, work experience, education, about yourself.

Most quality templates are developed by experienced HR professionals, meaning they meet hiring requirements. At the same time, they are easily read by ATS systems: all you have to do is implement keywords based on the job description.

Is there a difference between filling it out yourself and using templates? You can create a resume from scratch yourself, but it will take more time to adjust all the text and graphic elements of the document. Templates are a ready-made document. Everything is set up and thought out here, from the location of sections to the correct intervals.

The main thing is that the finished result looks professional. The combination of design and content is the perfect recipe for attracting recruiters.

There are also problems with templates. If you use free templates from MS Word, then when you fill them in, the text and sections start to shift. And you will need to reformat them again, wasting your time on this.

To avoid these difficulties, you can use other templates.

Where can I find free resume templates to fill out?

There are many sites on the Internet where you can view and download resume templates, but most of them are the results of the author's work. And you have to pay for it.

A selection of free resume templates that you can download and fill out right away in an editor, such as Microsoft Word. Use these templates to create your own resume for a job.

1. Google Docs – go to service

The most famous online text editor. It has special templates that can be used to create a resume. To do this, go to “Templates” and select the item of the same name. There are many options, but they are all mostly classic, with a small inclusion of infographics.

2. ObrazeCV (obrazecv.ru) is an excellent selection of resume templates – select resume templates

A site with a good selection of resume templates with different types of design, for various professions and areas. Here you can also create a resume online, using an online constructor.

The templates presented in the service can be downloaded for free, but some functions are provided on a paid basis: for example, when creating a resume through an online constructor, you can only use one template for free. If you create a resume online, you can download it, show it to the employer via a link, or send it by email.

3. Blankum (blankum.ru) – view templates

A good site with a large selection of templates. In total, 20 variations are presented, created in docx and pdf formats. There are detailed instructions and recommendations from HR specialists on how to fill out the template correctly.

4. Freepik (freepik.com) – view selection

Here you can find and download graphic resumes with design for free. But to fill them out, you need to have basic design skills. A good option for representatives of creative professions who want to show creativity already at the stage of the first acquaintance with a recruiter or employer.

5. WPS – go to site

Free selection from the developers of the WPS office suite – a competitor to MS Office and other analogues. The site presents several options for resume templates, instructions for their revision and completion, and advice on personalizing the questionnaire.

What are the most common mistakes and problems when filling out a resume form on your own and how can you avoid them?

Every mistake reduces the chance of getting an offer. There are obvious mistakes: for example, punctuation and grammar. Now it is very easy to get rid of them, just use a spell checker or any online services.

But there are also some not so obvious mistakes that are especially common among beginners. We will tell you about such mistakes.

1. Artificially “compressing” the resume.

There are still debates about the length of a resume. It is obvious to everyone that it should not be long and turn into an autobiography. At the same time, you do not need to try to fit all the information about yourself on one page: especially if you are an experienced specialist. In addition, there is no such rule. If an HR specialist is responsible for his work, he will easily look at a two-page CV of a potential candidate. The main thing is that the resume contains current and relevant information.

And one more thing: there is no need to stretch out your resume on purpose. Too much fluff, complicated professional terminology and unnecessary facts spoil the impression.

2. Incorrect design of skills.

This error can be called conditional. Many are accustomed to the standard listing of their skills, which are mixed up in the corresponding section.

IT specialists and digital workers know that soft and hard skills are different and complement each other. If you are applying to a modern company, it is definitely worth dividing your skills into two categories.

3. Inappropriate photographs.

It so happens that most recruiters unconsciously pay attention to the candidate's appearance. And if the photo is off-putting, then even extensive experience will not help get the job.

What can be off-putting? Photos from vacation, against the background of an old carpet, with other people, inappropriate clothing (exception – casual). Prepare a simple and high-quality photo from the shoulders/waist, with a businesslike facial expression or a slight half-smile.

By the way: if you plan to receive an offer from abroad, study the hiring peculiarities in a specific country. In some countries, adding a photo is not welcomed, in others it is strongly encouraged (including the CIS).

4. Lack of factual information.

Many people know how to brag in text format. In a resume, you can present yourself as an experienced senior developer, without being one. It is not enough to simply list a lot of laudatory epithets without confirming your professionalism.

You can prove your professional competence with the help of achievements. Write specific numbers, statistics, percentages that you personally or the company with your help were able to achieve. Compare two phrases:

“Adapted the functionality of the program”

“Configured Bitrix modules, increasing the number of positively resolved client requests by 35%

The second option speaks more vividly about the candidate’s skills and his ability to use them in practice.

5. Template words.

In their resumes, job seekers continue to talk about punctuality, responsibility, and determination. First, these words say nothing about the job seeker. Second, they are still found in every third resume. That is, they do not single out the candidate from the template responses “for the sake of quantity.”

Describe your value to the company in terms of your skills and knowledge. This can be done in the About Me section, Resume Objective section, or in a cover letter using a more informal format.

6. Lack of keywords.

We mentioned ATS systems earlier. These are programs or services that analyze resumes and look for matches with job descriptions. They are usually used in large companies or when there are a large number of responses.

The resume should include keywords that are relevant to the potential position. They can be found in the job description itself or selected based on the meaning. The main thing is not to turn your resume into a spammed SEO text. Insert keywords organically, focusing on skills, qualities, and work experience.

7. Unnecessary information.

This mistake also concerns the relevance of the resume to the selected vacancy. For example, education, like certain knowledge, tends to become outdated. If you once took a webinar and then acquired certificates from advanced training courses, then the first should be kept silent: this will be unnecessary information.

This recommendation also applies to work experience. Focus on your most recent positions, describing your responsibilities and achievements.

8. No title.

The recruiter's acquaintance with the resume begins with the title, which he skims with his eyes. This is a laconic sentence in which you summarize your skills and professionalism. It is not enough to simply state your profession, it is important to reflect your value to the employer.

For example, the title “Business Analyst” will attract a small percentage of recruiters.

The title “Business Analyst at GameDev with 7 years of experience” will tell you much more about your professionalism.

9. “Universal” resume.

Many job seekers send their resumes “for luck”. This spoils the impression on the recruiter and negatively affects the hiring process itself, creating inconvenience for other candidates.

Today, it is difficult to find a job by simply creating one resume and sending it to dozens of companies. Try to adapt and personalize your CV to a specific vacancy. To do this, it is enough to indicate relevant skills and work experience. For the same reason, it is recommended to prepare a cover letter for each response – a freer story about yourself and your experience will attract a recruiter.

Let's sum it up

Templates, as well as online constructors, will be a good solution when searching for a job. Recruiters look through a lot of resumes and if they see a profile that stands out from the others, they will pay attention to it.

And this will increase your chances of getting a really good offer without extra effort and wasting time when creating a resume.