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Build a Killer Resume 11 Tools to Make Your Job Search Easier

Without an effective resume to showcase your skills and experience, landing your dream job will be an uphill battle. But with the following resources at hand for creating a killer resume, you'll be one step closer to that fulfilling career.

There is a ton of conflicting resume advice out there on the net. We've debunked some of the most common resume myths. 5 Resume Myths Debunked and What to Do Instead 5 Resume Myths Debunked and What to Do Instead When you're looking for a job, you want to stand out. Start by breaking some of those mythical resume "rules." Let us show you what employers are really looking for on your resume. Read More Your All-In-One guide to creating the perfect resume. Your All-In-One guide to building the perfect resume. For a new job, in or out of your career, you need a resume. But not just a resume. You need a good resume. One... Read More All that talk doesn't really build your resume, though.

That's where these resources come in.

1. Improvement

The extremely customizable (and free) resumes created by Enhancv turn your old text-based resume into something much more visual. As you add to your resume, relevant tips from recruiting experts will appear to ensure the content you're adding is as effective as possible.

Build a Killer Resume 11 Tools to Make Your Job Search Easier

You'll even get tips to help you customize your resume for each job you're applying for. For example, you'll see a note if your resume is missing certain keywords based on the job description.

2. Easel.ly

Easel.ly is a free online tool that allows you to create and share visual ideas. With its simple drag-and-drop interface, you can create a visually rich infographic-style resume pretty quickly.

Build a Killer Resume 11 Tools to Make Your Job Search Easier

For most job applications, you won't need such a visual resume, but you can also use Easel.ly to create smaller visuals like charts and Venn diagrams to showcase your skills. There are some similar visual resume tools. Two easy ways to create visual infographics of your resume. Two easy ways to create visual infographics of your resume. One of the fastest ways to do this is to make your resume stand out from the crowd. Once you have... Read More

3. somewhere

Claiming to “increase your resume”, Somewhere it is intended to go beyond the one page resume, to something much more interesting. That said, I would recommend using it alongside A traditional resume, rather than a replacement for it.

Build a Killer Resume 11 Tools to Make Your Job Search Easier

In your Somewhere profile, you can add "taunts." These are answers to important questions intended to help viewers of your profile understand what you do and how you work. You can also add updates, showcasing your work methods and industry insights. All of this comes together to create a career-oriented social profile that you can keep completely separate from your personal social profiles.

4. Free resume verification

LiveCareer's Free Resume Check tool objectively scores your resume, allowing you to see how it compares to other people's resumes. It does this by scanning the content of your resume and analyzing your writing. This includes checking your spelling grammar, verb usage, overall structure, and even the type of font you've chosen.

Build a Killer Resume 11 Tools to Make Your Job Search Easier

Don't pin all of your resume design decisions to this tool, but it's worth using just to be alerted to any glaring mistakes you need to fix.

5. Standard Curriculum Vitae

Don't let the name fool you. The free and responsive resumes created by Standard Resume are clear and crisp, allowing your content to do the talking.

Build a Killer Resume 11 Tools to Make Your Job Search Easier

There are some customizations, like the color scheme, but everything else, from the layout to the font, has been designed to make reading your resume as pleasant as possible.

6. VisualCV

Import your existing resume, or LinkedIn data, and select the template you want to use. Although there are only a couple of very nice templates to choose from in the free account, there are some very impressive industry-specific templates for premium members.

Build a Killer Resume 11 Tools to Make Your Job Search Easier

It's easy and intuitive to make any edits to your resume. And once you're happy with everything, you'll have a print version (PDF) and an online version (which is flagged unless you update) to share with potential employers. Whenever you email the resume, you can track email opens, downloads, etc., to see how well your application is performing.

7. Branded.me

When hiring managers want to learn more about you, adding a URL to your own Branded.me page somewhere on your resume might do the trick. This is your own career-oriented website, which can live on any domain you like.

Build a Killer Resume 11 Tools to Make Your Job Search Easier

Here you can add examples of your work, start a blog about your skills and experience, and even connect with others based on your interests. This is a great way to share more information than is possible on a standard resume.

8. KickResume

With a KickResume account, you can instantly import your LinkedIn details, or data from an existing DOC or PDF resume into one of the many well-designed templates KickResume offers. You can edit all of this imported data at any time.

Build a Killer Resume 11 Tools to Make Your Job Search Easier

Plus, in addition to a resume, you'll also receive a cover letter template and a small microsite so employers can find more information about you in their browser.

Although you have to pay $4 per month to access the nicer templates, you can always cancel your subscription once you've landed your new job.

9. SlashCV

One of the best things about SlashCV is that you can start building your resume without signing up for an account. It's pretty simple and very easy to use, though you can't choose a different template or save your resume unless you sign up for an account (for free).

Build a Killer Resume 11 Tools to Make Your Job Search Easier

As you edit, you can move sections around by dragging and dropping, and add columns and lists to individual sections. The templates on offer are all very basic, but will suffice if you just want to create a simple resume, quickly. Once finished, you can download your resume in PDF format..

10. Microsoft Word

If you have access to Microsoft Word, you can download and customize some awesome templates that will really help you stand out.

Build a Killer Resume 11 Tools to Make Your Job Search Easier

We have already created a list of the best free Microsoft Word resume templates. Free Microsoft Word resume templates to help you land your dream job. stuff! To ease the headache of preparing your resume, we've compiled a selection of great Microsoft Word templates. Download and customize for free! Read more.

But if you're prepared to pay a bit, Graphic River has some awesome templates available for purchase, which you can then edit in Word. This can be a bit tricky (and you'll have to enter all the data manually), but the results can be worth it. Alternatively, you can always create your own resume template in word How To Create A Resume Template With Microsoft Word How To Create A Resume Template With Microsoft Word Your resume can be the difference between interviewing for your dream job or never hearing from Employer:Use these tips to make sure you are the best you can be. Read more from scratch.

11. Photoshop and Illustrator

If you have access to Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator, the resume world really is your oyster.

Build a Killer Resume 11 Tools to Make Your Job Search Easier

The Free Creative Resume Templates 15 Free Creative Resume Templates for Photoshop and Illustrator 15 Free Creative Resume Templates for Photoshop and Illustrator An amazing app can be the first step to landing your dream job. We've compiled the best free professional resume templates for Photoshop and Illustrator. Some packages include cover letters and business card templates. Read More Most other resumes out of the water.

Using these fancier resumes isn't really recommended for "less creative" jobs, but if you're looking for work in a creative field, it's worth learning how to use any of these apps, so you can customize your resume properly. That is, if the high price doesn't displace you (although a free trial is available). Again, LinkedIn or document import is not available, so you will have to add all your information manually.

Landing your dream job

No matter what style of resume you want to create, at least one of the resources above should have you covered. This will allow you to share the same information with potential employers as you deem necessary.

Whether you're looking for a basic resume, or something more visual, your own professional website, or a professional social profile, everything you need is here.

Which one will you choose?