10 Best Free Resume Builder Websites for 2021
There are quite a few free online resume sites, but some are MUCH better than others.
Some also appear to be free but will make you pay at the very end or you won’t be able to download your newly-created resume.
So in this article, I’m going to review the 10 best resume sites that offer completely free resume builders.
These are the websites that offer the best resume templates, best building software and user experience, and don’t charge you to download a printable resume.
The Top 10 Free Online Resume Builders
Cultivated Culture
Cultivated Culture provides free tools and information to job seekers. It’s run by Austin Belcak, who’s spent his recent career developing formulas for crafting effective resumes, writing engaging cover letters, and landing high-paying jobs at some of the world’s top companies.
His free resume builder includes four resume templates that are ATS friendly, full design customization, and expert advice throughout the process to help you craft the perfect resume.
The tool is user-friendly and makes writing a resume simple. Here’s how it works:
- Choose your resume template.
- Select a color scheme.
- Create your resume. You’ll be able to add information to the various sections of your resume, including personal information, experience, education, and skills. You can remove and add sections as needed.
- Once you’re happy with your resume click “Finalize.” Here you’ll be able to adjust the font size, line spacing, and margins.
- Download your resume as a PDF or text file, or save it to your Google Drive.
You can use this tool to build an unlimited number of resumes.
Cultivated Culture also offers two other free tools that will help you develop a more professional resume. They have a scanner that offers suggestions and keywords based on your desired role and also provide a feature to help your write more effective bullet points.
NovoResume
NovoResume is an online resume builder that offers eight templates to choose from, a content optimizer, pre-written resume samples, a cover letter builder, and templates for your cover letter.
After you choose one of their resume template options you’re taken straight into their resume builder. You have to sign up for a free account before continuing, but this just takes a moment.
Unlike other online resume builders that have you write your content in fields, NovoResume allows you to edit the document itself. Click on any of the text to edit and customize it however you like. You can also change the font, template, design, or layout throughout the process if you’re not happy with the way it’s looking.
Here are a few of the best features of NovoResume:
- The free resume builder includes an optimizer score that changes as you’re building your resume. This allows you to see how you’re doing and make adjustments to improve your score.
- You’ll see yellow exclamation points throughout the template. Click on them to get tips and recommendations from NovoResume.
- You can switch templates as you’re creating your resume. This means if you change your mind halfway through you can easily adjust the look without having to start over again.
The free version of NovoResume allows you to build one single-page resume. If you want a little more flexibility you can upgrade to the premium resume builder, which lets you create unlimited resumes and gives you access to additional fonts, templates, and various customization options.
With this tool, you’ll have everything you need for your next job application.
LiveCareer
LiveCareer offers a free resume builder designed by certified resume writers. They also offer example resumes, templates, a cover letter builder, cover letter templates, and everything else you need to build an eye-catching resume.
The first thing you’ll notice about their resume builder is the number of templates they offer. There are a total of 31 templates to choose from, which gives you the freedom to create a resume that suits your personal brand. They’ll also recommend templates for you, based on your level of experience and the job title you’re applying for.
Once you choose one of their templates you have the choice of starting from scratch or uploading your current resume for LiveCareer to reformat. Unfortunately, like many other resume builders on this list, they don’t let you use the resume from your LinkedIn profile.
When creating a new resume, the resume builder will walk you through each section one at a time and ask you to provide the required information. During the resume-building process, LiveCareer will actually suggest bullet points that are related to the job titles you list in your work experience.
They’ll even provide a pre-written summary for you based on all the information you provide (although you also have the option to write your own summary if you like).
After you’re done you can download your resume to your computer as a Word doc. Unfortunately, you can’t export it as a PDF.
LiveCareer’s free resume builder only lets you create one resume. If you need to create more you’ll need to upgrade to one of their premium options. While there isn’t a free 30-day trial, for just $1.95 you can try it for 14 days. They also offer a paid service where they’ll review your resume and provide feedback.
Zety
Zety offers all the tools you need to build a resume that will catch employer attention. In addition to their online resume builder, they give you access to over 20 resume templates, writing tips, pre-written examples, a cover letter builder, templates for your cover letters, and more. So they do much more than only helping you develop a great-looking resume.
In terms of the builder, once you select one of their resume templates, you can choose to start a resume from scratch or build off of an existing document (Zety will reformat it for you).
You’ll find Zety and LiveCareer’s resume builders are virtually identical (they seem to be built on the same platform), and they have all the same features and download options. Zety also has the same payment structure, where in order to create multiple resumes or gain access to their more advanced tool options, you’ll need to purchase a premium subscription.
USA Jobs
USA Jobs provides the best resume builder software when applying for government jobs.
Their online resume builder is geared toward the exact application process and requirements of the typical government role.
(And those requirements are quite overwhelming if you haven’t applied to many government jobs in the past, so it’s fantastic that their software helps.)
You’ll need to set up an account with USA Jobs to get started, but it’s well worth it.
After joining, follow these steps to start creating a resume for government jobs:
- Sign into your account.
- Go to your Documents.
- Click “Upload” if you want to edit an existing resume or “Build Resume” if you want to create a new one.
- Name your resume if you’re creating a new one.
From here, you can add text to the various sections of your resume (work experience, previous job title, education, references, etc.). There’s also a section where you can add additional information, like job training, languages, and affiliations.
Once you finish your resume you’ll be able to access it in your documents list and can use it to apply to various government positions.
The big difference between USA Jobs’s resume builder and other similar tools is the amount of information it asks you to include. For example, federal government recruiters review, audit, and score a wide variety of information, and this builder ensures you don’t omit anything that the recruiters require for you to be considered.
I found out about this tool through a colleague on LinkedIn, and here’s how they explained it:
So, if you’re applying to any government jobs, this is THE resume builder to use.
My Perfect Resume
My Perfect Resume offers free resume builder software and over 30 proven resume templates to help you get started. They also provide a resume optimizer, cover letter builder, cover letter templates, and a number of different customization options to help you land your dream job.
This resume builder uses the same platform as LiveCareer and Zety. You start by indicating how long you’ve been working and based on that My Perfect Resume will recommend a few templates for you. Then they’ll walk you through each section so you can fill in the correct information. They’ll offer suggestions along the way and will even write your bullets for you if you wish.
Once you’ve completed the process you can download your resume to a Word document (there’s no option to download it as a PDF). If you want to use the builder to create additional resumes you’ll need to upgrade to a paid account.
While My Perfect Resume’s resume builder is pretty much the same as LiveCareer and Zety’s it’s extremely effective, which is likely why they all use this format.
Resume.com
Resume.com is a completely free resume builder. They also offer information on how to write an effective cover letter, career advice for job seekers, and more.
Their resume builder is straight forward and simple to use:
- Enter the type of job you want to apply for.
- Choose a resume template. Resume.com offers nine different templates.
- Click on each section of the template to edit it. Tips are provided for each section to help you craft the perfect resume.
- When you’re finished, you can choose to print or download your resume as a PDF or text file.
In addition to resume building, Resume.com also has a job search feature. Search for a job based on position and location, and then use your newly created professional resume to apply.
JobScan
JobScan is known mainly for their flagship software that allows you to match your resume up to the job description before applying (also known as tailoring a resume).
However, they recently launched a free resume builder that’s among one of the best we’ve seen. It features great resume templates and design options, and they also offer writing guides, cover letter templates, and more.
I’d certainly put them among the free best resume-making sites available right now.
Once you begin, their resume builder gives you the option of building a resume from scratch or editing an existing file (unfortunately you can’t use the information on your LinkedIn profile).
If you choose to create a new resume you’ll start by picking one of the three resume templates they have to offer. Then you’ll simply fill in the required information for each section of the resume.
JobScan provides labeled fields for all the details you need to provide for every section, and a number of these fields are required to ensure you don’t miss anything.
If you already have a resume you’re reasonably happy with you can upload it to the resume builder and JobScan will reformat it and fill in your information based on what’s provided in your resume.
Once you’re done building your professional resume you’ll have the option to scan it based on the job you’re applying for.
JobScan will give your resume a grade that’s judged on a number of factors, including skills match, education match, ATS tips, keywords, word count, and more. Based on these results, you’ll be able to build a resume that’s perfectly suited to the job you’re applying for.
Along with their free resume builder, JobScan offers writing guides, resume templates, cover letter templates, design options, and more, making it easy for you to build your resume.
Kickresume
Kickresume is one of the best resume builders I was able to find while researching. They offer resume templates, resume examples, templates for your cover letters, and design options. Unlike most of the other resume builders on this list, you’ll have to create an account before using it. However, this process only takes a moment.
Once you’re inside the resume builder you have the option of starting a resume from scratch, importing your resume from your LinkedIn profile, or using one of their example resumes. Free users have access to three different resume templates.
After you select your template, click on the different sections and fill in the fields to make your resume. You also have the ability to add and remove sections to personalize the document.
Click “Customization” along the left-hand side to change the colors, format, font, and template. There’s also an option to have it proofread by a professional, although there is a charge for this service.
When you’re happy with your resume, click “Download” to export it as a PDF file or Word doc, email it to yourself, or save it to Dropbox.
Kickresume also has a premium option. The free option should be good enough for most, as it allows you to build unlimited resumes and gives you access to plenty of resume examples and pre-written phrases for you to use.
But if you want access to all the resume templates and cover letter tool options you might want to consider the premium option. While they don’t have a free 30-day trial they do offer a money-back guarantee.
Indeed
Indeed is known mostly as a job search tool to find employment opportunities in your local area. However, the company also offers a free resume builder to help job seekers perfect their resume before applying for postings.
Once you choose one of their eight different templates you’re taken to the resume builder where you can edit the document however you see sit. Simply click on any of the text to change it. You can switch templates at any time, adjust the color scheme, and add or remove sections.
Indeed’s basic resume builder is simple but effective. That being said, it does have some downsides compared to some of the other resume builders on our list:
- There are no optimization tools, tips, or suggestions to help you with your resume building.
- They don’t provide you with any example resumes.
- There are no drag and drop features.
- There are no tools to help you with your cover letter.
Once you’re satisfied with what you created about can download your resume as a PDF file.
While there are better resume builders out there, if you’re looking for a quick and easy way to create a resume, this one is a good choice.
Caution: Before Using ANY Online Resume Builder
There’s one more piece of information you should know before acting on ANY of the online resume builder reviews above.
In my experience, too many job seekers focus on an eye-catching resume design when applying for jobs or emailing recruiters, but they don’t put enough focus on writing great content and information that will appeal to reader. So no matter which of these top 10 resume sites you choose, focus mostly on the text and information you add, not the design.
In fact, I still recommend a single-column layout.
And the truth is, if I were creating my own resume today, I’d use a regular Word template, not any online software or tool.
I discussed this with a colleague on LinkedIn here:
Microsoft Office has good templates available, and Hloom is another good site for templates.
I can understand if you don’t want to tinker with resume formatting, spacing, etc., and everything that comes with creating it in a Word doc, but that’s what I’d personally do.
Just keep this in mind when choosing any drag and drop software above; you should always pick a design that lets you focus on the content and info because that’s what employers want to see. And don’t choose a format that doesn’t give much space to describe your recent work, accomplishments, etc.
Because the FIRST place I look on a recruiter is your work history, under your one or two most recent roles.
I’d also never recommend a resume layout that doesn’t begin your employment history on the top half of page 1.
Employment experience is often the first thing hiring managers look for (unless you’re an entry-level job seeker), and you should never make them scroll far down the page (or look on page 2) to find it.
Conclusion: Choosing the Best Online Resume Site for You
There isn’t one single best resume builder for all people in all industries, but the 10 choices above provide good, basic options that are user-friendly and will impress hiring managers.
I recommend visiting a few of the sites above and seeing which builder and templates look best to you. Each site offers different features/options, so you’ll want to get a sense of which one feels best to you before creating and downloading a resume.
And if you read my “Caution” statement above and decide to build your own resume in a document rather than in an online app, I have many free resources to help you here.
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