4 websites to help you create a clean, attractive resume

If you’re searching for a new job or switching careers, a good CV will really make or break your application. After all, it represents a snapshot of your professional life. But how do you make sure that you’re putting your best foot forward?

The general consensus around CVs is constantly changing. From gimmick CVs printed on donut boxes to wacky application videos, hiring managers have pretty much seen it all. Our advice is to ditch the stunts and spend time crafting an attractive resume that’s clear, easy to read, and confidently showcases your skills and abilities. It doesn’t hurt if it’s a little bit creative too.

According to research, recruiters spend just seven seconds looking at each CV before deciding if the candidate is a good fit for the role. While you don’t want to spend hours tweaking your resume for each application, a little bit of work can go a long way.

Here are the best sites to create a CV that will leave a good-lasting impression and hopefully help you to land your dream role.

Canva

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Canva is a firm favorite for anyone who works in a creative industry such as marketing, content creation, or advertising. Originally, Canva was mostly used to create things such as social media ads, posters, or presentations. However, the platform now contains an impressive range of CV templates to choose from or you can create your own from scratch. The best thing about Canva is that it’s super user-friendly and lots of the templates are free to use. However, you can’t auto-populate your CV and it can be a little fiddly.

VisualCV

Next up we have Visual CV, another tool that allows you to be as creative or as simplistic as you like in your CV design. One of the key benefits of VisualCV is that you can upload your current CV as a PDF or Word document to tailor and tweak it. Through VisualCV you can also publish your resume online and track the analytics to see how many times it’s been viewed or downloaded.

OnlineCV

Before your CV gets seen by an actual person, it will probably go through Applicant Tracking Software (ATS). In fact, according to research by Jobscan, 98% of Fortune 500 companies use ATS to simplify the hiring process. All the templates on OnlineCV have been optimized for ATS. Plus the website is super easy-to-use with step-by-step guidance available at every stage.

Wix

Finally, we have Wix, something a little bit different but it definitely deserves a spot on our list. Wix is a website builder that’s super user-friendly and intuitive. The site has a brilliant selection of online portfolios and CV templates that can easily be tailored to any role or industry. An online CV is a great way to stand out from the crowd and, if you’re working in the tech sector or online media, it’s pretty much a necessity. We love the fact that you can constantly tailor and tweak your CV too. Plus you can add links to any relevant projects.

Before you start creating your perfect resume, remember these key points.

Use your hotspot

No, we’re not talking about your internet connection. Your ‘CV hotspot’ is the place where the eye immediately goes when you see a professional resume. This ‘hotspot’ is at the top middle section of your CV. To make the most of this space, put your most relevant information there, such as your key skills (in bullet points) and a paragraph about who you are and what you can bring to the table.

Don’t over-design

We know it’s tempting to let your creativity run wild when using these sites, but when it comes to resume format and design, you should always opt for a clean layout. A 2018 study found that resumes with F-pattern and E-pattern layouts, which mimic how our eyes scan web pages, hold a recruiter’s attention for longer. In addition, pick just one font and stick with it throughout. Arial or Calibri are ideal for easy scanning.

Two is the magic number

For years we have been told that CVs need to be one page or less but new research could be changing that narrative. According to a study by ResumeGo, recruiters are 2.3 times as likely to prefer two-page resumes over one-page resumes, regardless of a candidate’s experience. This gives you a bit more space to play with and means your CV won’t be overly cramped.

Once your CV is complete, you can find your next role on the House of Talent job board. With thousands of jobs to choose from, it’s the best place to find exciting and interesting roles.