Are you looking forward to creating your first resume? A resume is the first step to building your career, and for creating your first resume, you can either use a well-known resume builder or free alternatives to save some bucks.
However, we always recommend using a resume builder as it comes with all the necessary features and is more convenient than the free alternatives we are going to mention.
Keeping that aside, let us now explore the free alternatives of resume builders.
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1. LinkedIn – Quick & Free
When it comes to creating a simple resume, we recommend using LinkedIn. The downside of using this website is that you will have to link your professional and personal accounts and let them know what job you want.
However, the benefits outweigh the cons in this case because:
- You can create a resume in minutes and use templates that are already included. You can also customize the resume depending on your requirements.
- You can even publish your LinkedIn profile as a website for just $2 per month.
- You can use LinkedIn as a resume and send it to recruiters directly without having to apply for the job.
Compared to a resume builder, you cannot use the same number of fields. You have no control over how your resume will look like – it is just basic. You cannot store your resume to use it repeatedly or keep a record of the changes you make.
2. Google Docs – Easy to edit
Google Docs is a great free alternative to resume builders. While it might not have as many options as a paid website, you can still use basic text, images, and tables to make your resume look good. And what’s even better is that you can share the resume with anyone for free!
While Google Docs doesn’t have too many features, it has everything you need to make a great-looking resume. You can also download your resume as a PDF file or print it if required.
It is easy to edit too, and you can make some changes as often as you want. What’s even better is that Google Docs comes with a word count, which will come in handy if you are looking for some editing help!
Google Docs also lets you insert pictures and links to YouTube videos. You can use the line spacing feature to make your resume look sleek and professional.
3. Canva – Multipurpose
If you are looking for a versatile free alternative to any site, Canva is what you should be using. While it doesn’t have specific tools that will help with the creation of a resume, you can use this website for almost anything!
Canva also lets you add your resume to their collection of templates, which might come in handy. However, using the basic tools on the website, you can still make a great-looking resume with any font and layout that you want.
You can use Canva for free without creating an account! You don’t have to worry about the privacy of your resume, and you can always download it as a PDF file or print it.
Canva also lets you add images, text, and icons on your resume – essentially creating a unique layout every time!
If you want to edit your resume, Canva lets you change everything. You can choose from hundreds of fonts, colors, and layouts to give your resume a unique look.
However, Canva is not totally free and comes with a lot of limitations. You can use only a limited number of elements for free, the rest are paid. But at least you get a little freedom of creativity with Canva.
4. Microsoft Word
Microsoft Word also comes with a few free resume templates and is compatible with all devices. It lets you insert pictures, tables, and hyperlinks into your resume. You can download or print it anytime you want!
What’s even better about Microsoft Word is that you don’t even need an account to use it. However, you will have to subscribe if you want the ability to edit the resume several times!
You can also download the resume as a PDF file and use it as many times as you want. And if you are planning to apply for several jobs, this is the perfect app for you. Microsoft Word lets you save your resume, so if you need to make a quick edit or just change the format of your resume, you can do that easily!
The only issue with Microsoft Word is the number of features. While it comes with basic tools, they are limited, and if you want more features, you will have to subscribe. This is where some other websites can provide more options for free.
However, Microsoft Word proves to be a convenient and quick alternative for resume builders. You don’t have to worry about the number of features at all, and you can download or print your resume anytime.
Conclusion
If you have tried all of the above alternatives already, you should try the paid resume builders since they already have blocks/columns required in a resume and save you a lot of time.
It hardly costs 1-5 dollars to get a resume made using online resume builders, and they turn out to be more useful as compared to free alternatives, in my opinion. Lastly, it depends upon your requirements, so choose one that you find most convenient and easier to use.
