Why You Should Avoid Resume Builders

Sep 4

Everybody loves online resources to help them write and update their resumes. No doubt that when you're running searches on how to best format your resume, which skills include, or power words to add, you've encountered resume builders.

Resume builders are enticing by nature. Upload your current resume, select the job position you're applying for, and quickly receive a job-winning resume in return. I've tried a few of the most popular online resume builders and, as a Certified Resume Writer who has personally helped hundreds of job seekers land new and better jobs, I don’t recommend them.

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Why People Like To Use Resume Builders

User-Friendly and Time-saving: At the heart of resume builders, they are built to be a convenient and quick tool with a user-friendly interface that even those with limited technical skills can use. These intuitive sites feature pre-designed resume templates and simplify the resume writing process into step-by-step prompts. It instills confidence in users who aren't savvy about the process. This saves significant time and effort, toiling over researching on their own and starting from scratch.

Accessibility and Portability: These builders store your resumes online within a cloud. This allows you to access it from any device that has an internet connection. With your resume being within reach inside your phone and tablet, you can apply for jobs on the go or share your resume electronically.

Automatic Updates and Revisions: You can easily come back to the builder platform to update your resume over time. With just a few clicks or taps, you can add new skills and accomplishments without having to open a word processor and redo the entire document.

Popular Online Resume Builders

Zety: Zety offers a user-friendly interface with a wide range of professionally designed templates. It provides helpful content suggestions and allows users to create and customize their resumes easily.

Resume Genius: This platform offers a step-by-step resume builder that guides users through the process of creating a resume. It provides pre-written content and a variety of templates to choose from.

MyPerfectResume: MyPerfectResume offers a simple and intuitive resume builder, along with a vast library of templates and examples. It allows users to customize their resumes and download them in different formats.

Resume.com: Resume.com provides a free and easy-to-use resume builder with a selection of templates and formatting options. It also offers tools to help users optimize their resumes for applicant tracking systems (ATS).

Canva: While primarily known as a graphic design platform, Canva also offers resume templates and a user-friendly drag-and-drop interface. It allows users to create visually appealing resumes with ease.

Why You Should Avoid Resume Builders

Yes, online resume builders are an appealing solution for resume writing. There’s the convenience factor of instantly creating a new resume and using fabricated examples based on what’s popular for your industry or position title. There’s also the implied expectation that these resume builders create resumes that align with what employers are looking for.

Sorry, but this is not the case.

Resume Builders & Generic Templates

This isn't the first time I've said this: resume templates may be hurting your job search!

While professional templates can be advantageous, they might also be widely used leading to generic-looking resumes. A resume that blends in with others might not stand out as much to hiring managers seeking something distinct.

Other sites that do offer a variety of templates, like Canva, may not comply with Applicant Tracking software. They're eye-catching with their multiple columns, icons and graphics, and text boxes but they end up making your resume unreadable after it is run through ATS.

The True Cost Of Using Resume Builders

While many online resume builders offer free versions, access to premium templates and features often comes with a subscription fee.

When you think you’re in the clear to download your new resume, you’ll be asked to subscribe. Bummer! You'll have to be careful and responsible for reading the fine print to see if there are hidden renewal fees after the appealing promotional cost.

Potential Privacy Breaches

By uploading your personal and professional information online, there is always a risk of having your data leak. More reputable resume builders may have security measures in place, however, some individuals are still uneasy about sharing sensitive details over the Internet.

Concerns About AI Usage

AI generative text is on the rise, and resume builders have also adopted the technology. When these platforms create content like job descriptions or achievements based on samples found online, it can introduce several problems and challenges.

Plagiarism Concerns: AI-generated content may unknowingly replicate job descriptions or achievements from existing resumes available online, leading to potential plagiarism issues. Plagiarized content can harm a candidate's credibility and may lead to rejection by employers.
Lack of Authenticity: Resumes are meant to be personal and reflect an individual's unique skills and experiences. AI-generated content might lack authenticity and fail to capture the candidate's genuine qualities, potentially leading to a less compelling resume.
Quality and Relevance Issues: AI-generated content may not always be of high quality or accurately match the specific job requirements. The generic nature of the content could result in irrelevant details being included in the resume, making it less appealing to potential employers.
ATS Compatibility: Some applicant tracking systems (ATS) can detect identical or highly similar content in resumes, flagging them as potential duplicates or unoriginal. AI-generated content might inadvertently produce phrases or sentences that match other candidates' resumes, raising ATS concerns.

Alternatives To Consider

While an online resume builder can be a convenient solution for creating a resume quickly, the resume you create will be missing important elements that will help you stand out and attract your ideal employer. Don't sacrifice quality for the quickness and convenience of using a resume builder.

Microsoft Word or Other Word Processing Software

Microsoft Word and similar word processing software like Google Docs provide a flexible platform to create resumes from scratch. They offer various templates and formatting options to design a customized resume tailored to individual needs. Microsoft Word's Resume Assistant feature recommends content from existing LinkedIn profiles, so avoid using this feature to minimize the chances of plagiarizing someone else's experience.

Resume Templates From Online Sources

Numerous websites offer free and paid downloadable resume templates in various formats that have been designed by Certified Resume Writers or hiring decision-makers. These templates can include prompts to help you craft customized content and be edited easily using word processing software.

Professional Resume Writing Services

If you prefer a tailored and professionally written resume, you can also hire a resume writing service that specializes in creating personalized resumes based on individual backgrounds and career goals.

Steph Cartwright, CPRW // Certified Resume Writer

Author Profile: Steph Cartwright, CPRW

Steph Cartwright is a Certified Resume Writer, LinkedIn Strategist, and Founder of Off The Clock Resumes. She helps job seekers get unstuck and get a foot in the door at the companies they’d love to work for with their resumes, LinkedIn profiles, and job search plans.

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