Reasons to avoid online resume builders in 2024

A lot of job seekers use online resources to build and revamp their resumes when they are about to enter a job search. An online resume builder may seem like a lifesaver when you are in a rush. All you must do is upload your current resume, feed your target job title, and wait for a minute for the software to generate a brand-new resume for you. These services often come free.

As certified professional resume writers, we never recommend the use of online resume builders for our clients, or anyone else. Because, although the service comes free, you may end up paying for it with something far more valuable down the road – a chance at a great career.

Why are online resume builders so popular?

Many job seekers prefer to use online resume builders due to their convenience. They are user-friendly and help candidates save hours of time and effort. Online resume builders are accessible from anywhere if you have internet. The electronic resume is super portable, letting people apply for new jobs even from their commute. Another reason that makes these platforms popular is the ease of updating the document. All it takes is a few taps on the screen to adjust and rewrite the content to suit a new opportunity.

Why should you avoid these online resume builders?

While online resume builders are appealing, they have many flaws and limitations. Convenience is not the only thing you should consider when choosing a resume writing service. Many other factors should be taken into consideration. Online resume builders very rarely create resumes that align with industry standards and employers’ expectations.

The unreadable resume templates

If you take a closer look at a few online resume builders, you will notice how all their resume templates look similar. Most online resume builders create resume templates that look really good, with multiple columns, text boxes, graphics, and icons. While these look smooth on the eyes, they don’t fare so well in the ATS test. If you apply for a job with a resume that is unreadable by an ATS, there’s a high chance that you will be rejected.

The generic templates

Most online resume builders provide generic resume templates for their users. Every job seeker who uses the site from anywhere in the world has access to the same 10-15 resume templates provided by the builder. When you use one of these resume templates, your resume does not stand out from the crowd but rather blends in. This is a disadvantage for your job search.

The hidden costs

Many online resume builders will give you a resume free of charge. But some services have hidden fees. Most builders offer only a few features with the free version and ask you to subscribe to the Premium version for extra options. On some platforms, you need to pay a subscription fee to download the resume you just created. Sometimes the resume you receive isn’t an editable file but a PDF version of the document.

The privacy risks

When you use an online resume builder to create your resume, you will be sharing a lot of private and sensitive information on the platform. Some online resume builders share this information with third parties, exposing you to multiple privacy risks.

What should you do instead?

If you want to DIY your resume, the best thing to do is to create an MS Word resume template from scratch. This will let you produce a resume design that is unique and uncommon. You can also get the help of a professional resume writing service such as Resume Mansion to get your resume rewritten. We have an amazingly talented team of certified professional resume writers that transform career trajectories every day.